Maryland iGaming Faces Strong Public Opposition, Poll Finds
A recent poll commissioned by the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) indicates that most Maryland voters remain firmly opposed to legalizing online casinos. The findings come as state lawmakers continue to debate potential iGaming legislation ahead of a possible 2026 referendum.
The survey, conducted by Lake Research Partners between September 15 and 18, 2025, found that 71% of Marylanders oppose iGaming once they understand what it entails. The poll included 650 registered voters, with a margin of error of 3.8%. Respondents were contacted through both phone and text-to-online methods, and results were weighted to reflect demographic factors including age, gender, race, education, region, and partisanship.
Initially, nearly half of respondents 49%, said they had never heard of iGaming, and only 17% viewed it positively. After learning that it allows 24-hour access to slots and table games via mobile devices, opposition climbed sharply to 71%.
Legislative Efforts Struggle to Gain Ground
The results follow two consecutive years of legislative attempts to introduce online casino legislation. Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary and Senator Ron Watson have led the initiative, with Atterbeary’s 2024 bill passing the Maryland House but stalling in the Senate. The measure faced opposition from major casino operators such as The Cordish Companies and from organized labor groups representing casino employees.
“At this point, we’re not being left behind,” Atterbeary said during a hearing earlier this year. “We are behind, quite frankly.”
Concerns over the economic impact of legalization remain a key point of contention. A 2024 study by The Innovation Group, commissioned by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission, projected that iGaming could reduce brick-and-mortar casino revenue by about 10%. Senator Watson has also emphasized the importance of protecting casino jobs, arguing: “Folks are making money. Any casino that implements iGaming and gets rid of employees is doing it out of greed, not because they don’t have the money to do it.”
In addition to online casinos, lawmakers debated banning sweepstakes casinos through Senate Bill 860, which later failed in the House. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency has independently taken enforcement action, issuing cease-and-desist letters to several operators, including Virtual Gaming Worlds.
Voters Cite Risks to Families and Youth
According to NAAiG board member and Monarch Casino & Resort executive vice president and general counsel Jason Gumer, the findings show a deep level of unease among voters. “These results show that once Marylanders understand what iGambling really is, they strongly reject it,” Gumer said. “Policymakers should take note: voters are deeply concerned about the risks to children, families and communities.”
The poll revealed that voter resistance intensified as respondents learned more about potential social risks. When informed that online gambling could make it easier for minors to access betting platforms, 57% said they doubted legalization was a good idea, and 44% voiced serious concern.
Warnings about gambling addiction, family instability, and financial strain, particularly referencing New Jersey’s iGaming experience, produced similar skepticism among Maryland voters.
Public Education Viewed as Key for Future Bills
Senator Watson acknowledged that future efforts to advance iGaming will require more public outreach. Speaking at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States meeting, he compared the process to a political campaign: “We need to treat it like a campaign. The person who introduces the legislation is just the quarterback. In this case, you need a whole team behind you.”
The survey results highlight the steep uphill battle facing lawmakers who want to expand iGaming in Maryland. As the state weighs its next legislative session and possible referendum, public education and voter perception will likely determine whether online casino gaming has a viable path forward in 2026.
Source:Maryland iGaming Expansion Faces Significant Voter Resistance, Poll Reveals, RealMoneyAction, October 17, 2025.