Regardless of Maryland lawmakers legalizing sports activities betting in 2021, the state’s largest metropolis is submitting a lawsuit in opposition to the state’s two most distinguished sports activities betting operators.
Town of Baltimore introduced a lawsuit in opposition to DraftKings and FanDuel final week for “predatory” practices that metropolis officers allege encourage drawback playing.
Based on the lawsuit, this contains utilizing promotions to entice gamblers and utilizing “misleading and unfair practices by focusing on and exploiting susceptible gamblers in violation of Baltimore’s Client Safety Ordinance.”
“These firms are partaking in shady practices, and the folks of our metropolis are actually paying the worth,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott stated. “DraftKings and FanDuel have particularly focused our most susceptible residents – together with these combating playing problems – and have precipitated important hurt consequently. This lawsuit is a essential step to carry them accountable and shield all Baltimoreans.”
Betting Continues to Develop in Maryland
The lawsuit comes as current numbers point out the trade continues to develop. Based on numbers from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Management Company, retail and on-line sportsbooks dealt with $457.7 million price of bets, netting a revenue of almost $60 million. Consequently, the state acquired $6.4 million in tax income.
By the primary eight months of the 2025 fiscal 12 months, which started in July 2024, sports activities wagering contributed $61.2 million to state coffers. That’s up from $37.1 million for a similar interval in fiscal 12 months 2024. The $61.2 million in state contributions by means of eight months of fiscal 12 months 2025 has surpassed the full-year complete of $60.3 million for fiscal 12 months 2024.
Baltimore officers allege that DraftKings and FanDuel are making the most of among the metropolis’s most susceptible in contributing to these numbers. That features leveraging information analytics and providing bonus bets to potential prospects.
“Their predatory practices have precipitated important hurt to our group, and we’re taking motion to carry them accountable,” Baltimore Metropolis Solicitor Ebony Thompson stated.
Firm Denies Claims
DraftKings hasn’t responded to the swimsuit. FanDuel officers stated that the corporate operates inside state legislation.
“FanDuel doesn’t touch upon particular allegations in pending litigation,” the corporate advised the New York Occasions on Friday. “We’re assured the corporate operates in accordance with all legal guidelines, together with these established and enforced by the state of Maryland’s Lottery and Gaming Management Fee.”
Some within the state really feel that bettors ought to train particular person accountability, keep inside their limits, and determine for themselves when it’s time to cease betting.
“You will have a alternative, so eventually, we have now to determine what’s extra essential, particular person alternative or authorities regulation,” Maryland resident Kenny Lloyd advised CBS Information.
Maryland lawmakers don’t look able to cease at sports activities betting. For the previous few years, lawmakers debated the legalization of on-line casinos, however the newest effort died within the state legislature.
