HB 1240

Sports Wagering - Wagers on Historical Horse Races - Authorization

Sponsor: Kris Fair (District 3)Committee: Ways and MeansSubject: GamingStatus: Reassigned to Ways and Means (as of Sep 4, 2026)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Altering the definition of 'sporting event' for purposes of provisions of law governing sports wagering to include historical horse races; authorizing certain sports wagering facility licensees to accept wagers on historical horse races that are made by an individual physically present and subject to certain limitations; providing for the distribution of proceeds from sports wagering on historical horse races; submitting the Act to a referendum of the qualified voters of the State; etc.

AI analysis is off. Set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY to enable summaries, pros and cons, and questions.

Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.

Testimony (24)

MGA witness list

FAV 16FavorableFWA 2Favorable with amendmentsUNF 5UnfavorableINFO 1Information only

Position	Witness	Organization	Testimony
FAV	Calitri, Chris	Ainsworth Game Technology	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Nicholas, Anthony	Carroll County Delegation	Written (PDF)
FAV	DiPietro, Richard	Chesapeake Gaming, LLC	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Weldon, Richard	Frederick County Chamber of Commerce	Written (PDF)
FAV	Pippy, Delegate Jesse	Frederick County Delegation	Written (PDF)
FAV	Fitzwater, Jessica	Frederick County Executive	Written (PDF)
FAV	Baldwin, Rich	GGHM	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Cohen, Alyse	Long Shot’s LLC	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Fair, Del. Kris	Maryland House of Delegates	Written (PDF)
FAV	Price, Sarahlobbyist	Maryland Retailers Alliance	Oral
FAV	Jones, Antonio	Riverboat on the Potomac	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Prasad, Maruthi	Riverboat on the Potomac	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Souders, Rachel	Town of Boonsboro	Written (PDF)
FAV	Russell, Chris	Trailblazer Public Affairs	Oral + Written (PDF)
FAV	Bereano, Brucelobbyist	Individual	Oral
FAV	Fair, Delegate Kris	Individual	Oral
UNF	Favazza, Johnlobbyist	Manis Canning & Associates	Written (PDF)
UNF	Parks, Shandra	Maryland Council on Problem Gambling	Position only
UNF	Johansen, Michaellobbyist	RWL	Oral
UNF	Harting, Martalobbyist	Venable	Oral + Written (PDF)
UNF	Weintraub, Jasonlobbyist	Individual	Written (PDF)
FWA	Hough, Tylerlobbyist	Maryland Farm Bureau	Written (PDF)
FWA	Edwards, Donna	Maryland State & District of Columbia AFL-CIO	Written (PDF)
INFO	May, Steve	Gaming Laboratories International	Oral + Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

Ainsworth Game TechnologyFAV 1

Carroll County DelegationFAV 1

Chesapeake Gaming, LLCFAV 1

Frederick County Chamber of CommerceFAV 1

Frederick County DelegationFAV 1

Frederick County ExecutiveFAV 1

Gaming Laboratories InternationalINFO 1

GGHMFAV 1

Long Shot’s LLCFAV 1

Manis Canning & AssociatesUNF 1

Maryland Council on Problem GamblingUNF 1

Maryland Farm BureauFWA 1

Maryland House of DelegatesFAV 1

Maryland Retailers AllianceFAV 1

Maryland State & District of Columbia AFL-CIOFWA 1

Riverboat on the PotomacFAV 2

RWLUNF 1

Town of BoonsboroFAV 1

Trailblazer Public AffairsFAV 1

VenableUNF 1

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVPrice, SarahMaryland Retailers AllianceRegistered for: Maryland Retailers Alliance; Maryland Retailers Association

FAVBereano, BruceRegistered for: 5400 Holiday Drive LLC; Anne Arundel County Fair; Aurora Technical Systems; BWI Airport Fire Rescue Local 1742; BWI Airport Professional Firefighters; BWI Taxi Management, Inc.…

UNFFavazza, JohnManis Canning & AssociatesRegistered for: Adventist HealthCare, Inc.; Alkermes; American Chemistry Council; Amrize North America Inc., formerly Holcim Participations (US) Inc.; Baltimore Cyber Range LLC dba BCR Cyber; Baltimore Ravens…

UNFJohansen, MichaelRWLRegistered for: 1/ST Racing MD LLC; ASC Engineered Solutions; Access Holdings Management Company, LLC; Alterwood Health, Inc.; Ashley, Inc.; Baltimore Streetcar Museum…

UNFHarting, MartaVenableRegistered for: Abbott Laboratories; Annie E. Casey Foundation, Inc., The; Asurion Insurance Services, Inc.; Baltimore Community Foundation; Baltimore Gas and Electric Company; Baltimore Public Markets Corporation…

UNFWeintraub, JasonRegistered for: AFSCME Council 3; Albertsons Companies, Inc.; American Property Casualty Insurance Association; COPT Defense Properties; CVS Health; CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield…

FWAHough, TylerMaryland Farm BureauRegistered for: Maryland Farm Bureau