By Lewis Gould
Election day is Nov. 3, and legalized sports gambling in Maryland gains traction towards an easy victory.
The campaign to build public support for Question 2, the latest statewide gaming referendum, is well funded and organized, outpolling opposition by almost two-to-one, as reported by WTOP.
As of Monday, it has the backing of the state’s governor Larry Hogan.
While there will almost certainly be hundreds of thousands of votes against legalizing sports wagering, political insiders believe a majority will vote in favor of it. “For the most part, people already understand that gaming is in Maryland, and when they see it, I think people will most likely be inclined to support it,” said Sen. Craig Zucker (D-Montgomery), who sponsored a sports gambling bill earlier this year. “Especially since the money will be going to education.”
An Annapolis lobbyist who represents a high-stakes client noted that Marylanders approved slot machine gambling in 2008 and table games in 2012. “Sports betting is just another extension. People that have voted for it in the past will continue to vote (for it),” he said. “It’s been done always in a presidential election year, so the turnout is higher.”
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