SB 970 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Sports Wagering - Independent Evaluation of Sports Wagering

Maryland's SB 970 requires sports wagering companies that advertise within the state to contract with licensed independent evaluators. The bill mandates these companies must have their content, experts, influencers, and content partners evaluated and rated by qualified third parties. This requirement becomes effective July 1, 2026, but only if the State Lottery Commission licenses at least three independent evaluators first. The law changes existing rules from voluntary ("may") to mandatory ("shall") for advertising operators.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 13, 2026 Last action Mar 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Sports Wagering - Independent Evaluation of Sports Wagering → Third - Sports Wagering - Independent Evaluation of Sports Wagering · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a second sponsor (Senator Ferguson) and a committee report indicating favorable action. The effective date section was moved to Section 3, while a new Section 2 was added to establish the contingency on issuing licenses to independent evaluators. The bill also now includes signature lines for the Governor and legislative leaders.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on sports wagering independent evaluation, but the structure was reorganized to clarify the licensing contingency and effective date.

ELIGIBILITY

Added Senator Ferguson as a co-sponsor to the bill.

REQUIREMENT

Added Section 2 requiring the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue licenses to at least three independent evaluators before the Act takes effect.

TIMELINE

Reorganized the bill structure by moving the effective date provision to Section 3 and adding a new Section 2 for the licensing contingency.

TECHNICAL

Added signature lines for the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Delegates for final approval.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2026

How they voted

43–0

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 49

Mar 5, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

11 Yea 2

84% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 21, 2026

Committee

Referred Ways and Means

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (43-0-6)

senate

Mar 4, 2026

Committee

Rereferred to Budget and Taxation

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Committee

First Reading Senate Rules

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors