The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland Senate Bill 761 proposes a November 2026 referendum on legalizing Internet gaming to fund public education
Last action · March 13, 2026: Withdrawn by SponsorSponsor: Ron Watson
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Proposed
Senate Bill 761 proposes a statewide at the November 2026 general election to authorize Internet gaming licenses issued by the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission, with state revenues dedicated to public education funding.
If approved by voters, the measure would establish a new legal framework for commercial online gambling in Maryland, restricting initial licenses to existing video lottery operators and their contractors while earmarking resulting state revenues for public schools.
- In Maryland, constitutional requirements mandate that any expansion of commercial gaming must be submitted to and approved by voters via a statewide referendum. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
qualified voters of the State
Qualified voters must decide whether to approve or reject the expansion of commercial Internet gaming through a statewide referendum at the November 2026 general election.
holders of a video lottery operation license
Holders of video lottery operation licenses are designated as eligible recipients for Internet gaming licenses under the proposed legislation.
State Board of Elections
The State Board of Elections is required to perform all necessary and proper duties to prepare for and hold the mandated referendum.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who would be eligible to receive an Internet gaming license under this bill?
What would happen to the revenue generated from Internet gaming?
When would voters decide on this measure?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Withdrawn.
Procedural history
4 actions- Mar 13, 2026SenateWithdrawn by Sponsor
- Mar 10, 2026SenateHearing canceled
- Feb 11, 2026SenateHearing 3/11 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 6, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Budget and Taxation
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools