Survey Finds Strong, Rising Opposition to Maryland iGaming

Initial opposition increased sharply after voters learned more about the mechanics and social risks of iGaming. The findings suggest a difficult political path for any bill seeking to pass online casino legislation in the state.

Methodology and Initial Stance

LRP, a national political research firm, designed and ran the poll between September 15 and 18, 2025. The firm used live phone interviews and a text-to-online method to reach a sample of 650 registered Maryland voters.

The full sample carries a margin of error of $\pm 3.8\%$. Data were slightly adjusted for demographics like gender, age, race, region, education, and political party.

When first asked about legalizing online casino gambling, 52% of voters opposed the measure, while only 22% supported it. This established an immediate 30-point gap against legalization.

The poll noted that 64% of voters were initially unfamiliar with iGaming or held no opinion. Among those with a view, negative impressions outweighed positive ones by a ratio of almost two to one.

Defining the System Hardens Resistance

Opposition grew significantly once LRP provided a full definition of iGaming. When voters heard that the system allows 24-hour access to slots and table games from a mobile phone, the opposition rate jumped to 60%. Support remained low, never rising above 25% at any point in the survey.

The most intense resistance appeared after voters were presented with information on potential social costs. Once informed about the risks of addiction, family ruin, and increased suicide rates, 71% of all voters opposed legalization.

Nearly two-thirds of this group, or 64%, stated they were strongly opposed. This change shows that specific negative consequences can turn soft opposition into firm rejection.

Key Arguments Drive Voter Concern

The survey tested messages to find which arguments caused the most “serious doubts” among voters. The most effective arguments focused on public safety and social fallout.

The most potent message highlighted the inability of casino companies to stop teenagers and children from accessing iGaming on phones. This argument generated serious doubts for 57% of voters.

Other messages focused on the devastating real-world consequences of addiction. For instance, the argument that legalization leads to addiction, costing states money for treatment, caused serious doubt for 53% of voters. The example cited the social cost in New Jersey, where treatment exceeds $\$350$ million annually.

Other strong points of resistance included comparing iGaming firms to pharmaceutical companies. This message noted the Baltimore City lawsuit against sports betting operators for targeting vulnerable players, drawing a parallel to the opioid crisis. Additionally, arguments featuring alarming increases in suicide rates and the decimation of families due to bankruptcy and child neglect caused significant alarm.

Overall, these findings confirm that opposition to iGaming in Maryland is “thoroughly and consistently high” across all voter groups.