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Published: March 21, 2025

Maryland lawmakers trim Gov. Moore’s proposed sports betting tax hike

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has been pushing to raise online sports betting taxes, but lawmakers are trying to push a compromise for the final state budget.

Moore has advocated for a significant increase in the state’s sports betting tax. In January, in the early draft version of his proposed budget, he signaled his intent to double the tax rate from 15% to 30% to help reduce a $2.7 billion state budget gap.

But, on Thursday at a House Ways and Means Committee session, lawmakers trimmed that back. The budget framework approved in the legislature and announced by Moore on Thursday contains a more modest rise to 20%.

The committee voted 13-5 to approve an amended version of HB 352, titled the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025. That contains an amended new online sports betting tax rate of 20%.

https://sbcamericas.com/2025/03/21/maryland-trims-back-proposed-tax-hike/