Maryland's Sports Betting Measure Approaching Final Approval; Similar Legislation Faces Tighter Voting Scrutiny Elsewhere

Election day's here, and besides the big presidential race, there's heaps more to ponder on those ballots. Gaming referendums are popping up all over the continent, and here's a breakdown of what's at stake:

Colorado is throwing a vote on Amendment 77, moving some gaming decisions from the state to local gaming spots — Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. If successful, voters in these cities could jack up bet limits and even add new games. The Denver Post's even endorsing a "yes" vote for this amendment.

Louisiana voters are set to decide whether sports wagering should be legal at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in their parish. The catch? This referendum doesn't allow for statewide mobile betting. Back in 2018, 47 parishes okayed daily fantasy sports, but they ain't available yet — and with a budget crunch everywhere due to COVID-19, this measure's expected to pass in most parishes, including Orleans and Bossier and Caddo parishes. Harrah's, the state's only land-based casino, is located in Orleans parish. The Shreveport-Bossier City metro area, in the state's northwest corner, is the second biggest gaming hub in the state.

In Maryland, the election's only referendum is the only one that specifically enables statewide mobile sports betting. The actual legislation was gutted during a COVID-shortened session to get it on the ballot. If it passes, sports betting will be legal in the entire Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland area (known as the DMV). Early October saw Gov. Larry Hogan predicting it'll win "right now, as states are really lacking revenue." Check out Horseshoe Casino Baltimore's tweet below for more info:

Nebraska is a mess, with three constitutional amendments stirring up controversy. If all three pass, Nebraska will see its biggest gaming expansion ever. The debate's been fierce, with bigwigs like Warren Buffett and Tom Osborne against it, while tribal interests and the state's horsemen are for it. In October, the Secretary of State held an informational session about the amendments, and the main takeaway? You gotta pass all three for an expansion. The pitch for these initiatives? They'll supposedly provide property tax relief. Come election day, it's still unclear if either side's got an advantage.

Lastly, South Dakota could join 22 other states offering sports betting if voters approve. The referendum's for retail betting in Deadwood, with existing in-person gaming already available. The Deadwood Gaming Association reportedly wouldn't oppose digital betting if the initiative passes, but the legislature has yet to decide on that. There are around a dozen tribal casinos in the state. Mike Rodman, head of the gaming association, says the local casinos are "cautiously optimistic" ahead of election day.

Lastly, Virginia's no stranger to sports betting. Despite not being election-related, Virginia voters in four cities — Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth — will have the chance to approve retail casinos. Virginia already legalized statewide mobile betting earlier this year, and the first apps could launch as early as late December. Stay tuned for more updates!

In Colorado, Amendment 77, if passed, would allow for local gaming spots like Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek to amend betting limits and introduce new games.
Louisiana's referendum proposes the legalization of sports betting at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, but only within parish boundaries, with mobile betting left out of the equation.
Maryland's referendum focuses on enabling statewide mobile sports betting, with the legislation having been amended during a COVID-shortened session to make it eligible for the ballot.
Nebraska's three proposed constitutional amendments could initiate the state's biggest gaming expansion ever, if all three amendments pass, with the debate ongoing and property tax relief being the main pitch.
South Dakota's election could see a sports betting referendum passing, which would allow retail betting in Deadwood, potentially expanding to the entire state later, with digital betting yet to be decided by the legislature. Meanwhile, Virginia voters in four cities will decide on retail casinos, with statewide mobile betting already legalized earlier this year, and the first apps expected to launch in late December.