HB 618 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

State Lottery - Internet Sales of Subscription Plans - Authorization

HB 618 repeals a ban on internet-based lottery sales, specifically authorizing Maryland's State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency to allow electronic purchases of subscription plans through devices like smartphones or computers. The bill directly affects the Lottery Agency, which gains the authority to establish such systems, and Maryland residents who buy subscription lottery plans online. Key provisions remove the existing prohibition (Section 9-111(e)(1)) and add an exception permitting internet subscription sales (Section 9-111(e)(2)). The change takes effect July 1, 2025, enabling new electronic purchasing options for recurring lottery subscriptions.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Signed May 6, 2025

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What changed between versions

First - State Lottery - Internet Sales of Subscription Plans - Authorization → Third - State Lottery - Internet Sales of Subscription Plans - Authorization · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to expand the State Lottery's ability to sell subscription plans online, add new definitions for key terms, and require the Agency to report sales data to legislative committees. The changes clarify that licensed agents can sell vouchers for subscriptions and receive commissions on both initial sales and renewals.

Scope change

The bill now includes additional provisions for licensed agents to sell vouchers for subscriptions and receive commissions on renewals, expanding the scope of authorized online lottery sales activities.

SCOPE

Expanded the scope of online subscription sales to explicitly allow licensed agents to sell vouchers that individuals can use to fund subscriptions.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Commission', 'Director', 'Governmental unit', 'JACKPOT GAME', 'License', 'Licensed agent', 'MULTIJURISDICTIONAL GAME', and 'SUBSCRIPTION' to clarify terms used in the law.

FISCAL

Added provisions requiring the Agency to pay licensed agents a commission rate for vouchers sold and for subscription renewals originally funded by those vouchers.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency to report subscription sales data to three legislative committees by December 1, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill's effective date from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2025 (no change in date) but added a new Section 2 regarding reporting requirements.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 7, 2025

How they voted

45–1

Passed

Total votes 46

Mar 24, 2025

D Democratic33

33 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1 Nay

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 6, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 340

executive

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation

upper

Mar 24, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (45-1)

senate

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred Budget and Taxation

upper

Mar 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

lower

Mar 7, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (123-12-4)

house of delegates

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

First Reading Ways and Means

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors