Bill > HB46

This bill establishes a Gambling Prevention Technology Pilot Program, which will involve Bowie State University and Morgan State University in identifying strategies to reduce problem gambling among students on college campuses. The program aims to analyze the effectiveness of technologies, such as "geofencing" (a virtual perimeter around a physical location), in curbing problem gambling and to improve the enforcement of existing online sports wagering laws. Participating universities, in collaboration with the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, will designate "no gambling zones" on campus, post informational signage, and implement cost-effective technologies for real-time monitoring of online sports wagering. Online sports wagering operators will be required to establish geofences around these zones to prevent access to their platforms within those boundaries, and individuals attempting to wager will be blocked and shown information about the pilot program and responsible gambling resources. The bill also states that operators will not be penalized for unforeseen technological failures during the pilot program, which will run for five years starting July 1, 2026, with a report on its findings due by January 1, 2031.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0046?ys=2026RS