Maryland lawmakers have moved forward with legislation that would reshape key aspects of online sports betting, approving a measure that targets college prop wagers and introduces stricter consumer safeguards.
The House passed House Bill 518 unanimously in a 132-0 vote, advancing a proposal that expands oversight of digital wagering while reinforcing limits tied to college athletics. The legislation now heads to the Senate for further review.
Measure Focuses On College Prop Restrictions
A central component of HB 518 involves formalizing restrictions on betting tied to individual college athletes. State regulators previously directed sportsbooks to remove such wagers, and the bill would embed that policy into law.
The proposal follows ongoing concerns about the impact of betting markets on student-athletes. NCAA President Charlie Baker has raised the issue in recent years, urging states to take action against these types of wagers. Several jurisdictions have responded by implementing similar restrictions, including Ohio, Vermont, and Louisiana.
Concerns have intensified following a federal case in 2025 that included more than 30 former college basketball players accused of participating in a point-shaving scheme. The NCAA also ruled some athletes ineligible after determining they shared inside information, wagered on games involving their teams, or altered gameplay.
HB 518, introduced in a prior legislative session and carried into 2026, gained approval in the House Ways and Means Committee before advancing to a full vote. Lawmakers amended the bill during its progression, removing a provision that would have raised the minimum age for daily fantasy sports participation from 18 to 21. The earlier version had included exceptions for certain existing account holders.
Credit Card Ban And Deposit Controls Included
The legislation also addresses how bettors fund their accounts. It would prohibit the use of credit cards for any online sports wagering transactions, requiring users to rely on other payment methods.
In addition, the bill mandates that bettors set limits on their deposits. Operators would need to enforce these self-imposed caps, requiring individuals to define how much money they can add to their accounts within a specified timeframe.
This approach places responsibility on users to establish boundaries while ensuring operators apply those limits. Lawmakers have framed the requirement as part of a broader effort to strengthen responsible gaming measures across the state.
Data Reporting And Research Provisions
HB 518 introduces new reporting requirements for licensed sportsbooks, which would need to provide quarterly data on transactions and user activity. The information would be shared with selected academic institutions, including Morgan State University, Bowie State University, and the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
These institutions would analyze the data to better understand gambling behavior and produce research, including potential peer-reviewed studies focused on problem gambling trends.
The bill also proposes creating a voluntary exclusion list for individuals who choose to block themselves from participating in the state lottery.
Support for the measure extends beyond lawmakers, with backing from the Maryland-DC Society of Addiction Medicine. With House approval secured, the bill now moves to the Senate’s Budget and Taxation Committee, where lawmakers will determine its next steps.
Source:
“Maryland House passes bill to ban college props and credit card use”, sbcamericas.com, March 19, 2026
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