Could Maryland & Vermont repeal online sports betting?
Published:
Mar 10, 2025
,
11:14 a.m.
ET
Key Points
Some politicians in Maryland and Vermont want the states to consider repealing online sports betting after seeing the societal impacts of legalization.
Lawmakers cite gambling addiction, financial risks and regulatory concerns.
Bills in both states face significant challenges and are seen as unlikely to pass.
The debate highlights growing concerns over the long-term impacts of legalized sports betting.
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Genie back in the bottle? While some states are pushing to legalize sports betting, others who’ve already done so are now attempting to take it away. The rapid expansion of legalized sports betting in the United States has transformed the gambling landscape, but as more states embrace mobile sports wagering, concerns over its societal impact have led to legislative proposals to ban it in two states.
Maryland and Vermont, both of which legalized online sports betting in recent years, are now seeing legislative pushes aimed at rolling back those policies. Some lawmakers in these states cite gambling addiction, financial risks and regulatory concerns as primary reasons for these repeal efforts. While these bills are unlikely to pass, these concrete efforts to repeal sports betting highlight a growing debate around the long-term societal consequences of legalized online betting.
Maryland’s proposed bill to repeal online sports betting
In a surprising legislative move, Maryland Senator Joanne C. Benson (pictured below) introduced Senate Bill 1033 (SB 1033), which would allow in-person sports betting to continue and repeal online sports betting, beginning January 1, 2026. This bill marks a shift in Maryland’s stance on sports wagering, as the state only legalized online sports betting in November 2022 after a voter-approved referendum in 2020.
While the bill has been introduced, it has not yet moved forward, and experts believe that its chances of passing are slim due to the immense tax revenue generated by sports betting in Maryland. In January 2025 alone, the state saw over $618 million in wagers – a 13.6% increase from January 2024.
While the harm outweighs the good in many’s view, the economic impact of repealing online betting would mean Maryland would, in part, have to find an alternative source of funding for the education initiatives and public services that gambling revenues support.
Almost in direct opposition to SB 1033, Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary has proposed to bring online casino gambling to Maryland with bill HB-17.
Vermont’s proposed repeal of sports betting
Maryland is not alone. In fact, Vermont threw down this gauntlet first, so to speak. Through House Bill 133 – introduced by Representatives Thomas Stevens, Troy Headrick, and Michael Mrowicki – Vermont is also considering a rollback of online sports betting.
Unlike Maryland's proposal, H-133 would not only repeal online sports betting but also criminalize any form of sports wagering. In this case, anyone caught bookmaking in Vermont, including licensed operators like DraftKings or FanDuel, would be subject to fines and potential imprisonment. Vermont went live with online sports betting in January of 2024, so this bill would effectively reverse the Green Mountain State’s position just one year after legalizing it.
Since launching in January 2024, Vermont's online sports betting market has generated nearly $10 million in revenue, thanks in part to its high 30% tax rate on operators and 40% of wagers coming from out-of-state users. Despite the financial benefits, Rep. Headrick argues that state-sanctioned gambling acts as a "camouflaged form of regressive taxation," disproportionately affecting lower-income and working residents.
The bill is currently stalled in the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, and experts believe it is unlikely to advance.
In the case of Vermont and Maryland, not only does gambling revenue help public funding, meaning lawmakers would need to address alternative taxation or budget cuts, but just as authorizing sportsbooks takes time, so too does de-authorizing them.
Why are these legalized states now considering banning mobile sports betting?
The push to repeal online sports betting in Maryland and Vermont stems from various concerns, including new research around gambling addiction and the financial impacts on individuals in states that have legalized sports betting. One of the most significant issues raised by lawmakers is the rising cases of problem gambling. Critics argue that mobile sports betting has made gambling more accessible, leading to more addiction and risky financial decisions, particularly among young adults and college students.
The ease of placing bets through mobile apps increases the risk of individuals incurring financial losses, contributing to debt and bankruptcy. With lower-income residents being disproportionately impacted, and with approximately 5% of the population seeking help for gambling addiction, we can surmise that many more individuals need help and don’t know it, along with others who don't know where to seek help. Some argue that mobile sports betting is almost like a form of “regressive taxation” that preys on vulnerable communities.
Additionally, the aggressive marketing tactics employed by sportsbooks – including targeted ads and sign-up bonuses – have raised alarms about predatory practices by gambling companies. Lawmakers worry that constant exposure to these promotions may encourage risky betting behavior and contribute to problem gambling rates.
From a political standpoint, some lawmakers who initially supported sports betting now believe the industry's rapid expansion was a mistake. In comparison, other states such as Minnesota and Mississippi, have struggled with passing or maintaining sports betting legislation, prompting whether another state will legalize sports betting in the near future. Some experts believe the repeal efforts in Maryland and Vermont may serve more as symbolic legislative statements rather than genuine attempts to dismantle legal sports betting.
Gambling addiction in MD, VT and the U.S. as a whole
The rise of online sports betting has fueled concerns about gambling addiction in Maryland, Vermont, and across the country. In Maryland, a 2023 legislative report estimated that 8.6% of adult residents – approximately 405,000 people – had experienced a gambling disorder at some point, a rate nearly double the national average.
While Vermont lacks specific state-level data, national studies indicate that young adults are particularly vulnerable to problem gambling. Research suggests that 1 in 10 college students struggles with gambling addiction, and as many as 750,000 individuals aged 14-21 are affected across the country. Problem gambling has been linked to severe financial distress, criminal activity and even suicide, with research showing that 1 in 5 people with gambling disorder experience suicidality, making it a critical public health issue.
Gambling Addiction treatment options in the U.S.
For those struggling with gambling addiction, a variety of treatment options are available. Gamblers Anonymous (GA) provides a 12-step recovery program, while Gam-Anon offers support for those affected by others’ problem gambling.
Additionally, Birches Health provides confidential, insurance-covered virtual therapy for individuals seeking support for gambling addiction. After a quick intake process, clients receive customized treatment plans from licensed professionals who specialize in gambling disorder care. Those in need can get started in one of the following ways:
Call 833-483-3838
Email help@bircheshealth.com
History of sports betting legalization in Maryland and Vermont
Both Maryland and Vermont took distinct paths to legalizing sports betting. Maryland voters approved legalization through a 2020 referendum, leading to the launch of retail sportsbooks in December 2021 and online betting in November 2022. Vermont, on the other hand, legalized online-only sports betting in June 2023, with the first operators going live in January 2024.
Despite the initial excitement surrounding legal sports betting in both states, the recent push for repeal underscores the ongoing debate about the long-term consequences of widespread mobile gambling. While the proposed bills may face significant resistance, they highlight a growing movement to reassess the rapid expansion of online sports wagering in the U.S.
