# Maryland SB 0970: Sports Wagering - Independent Evaluation of Sports Wagering

Maryland SB 0970, Sports Wagering - Independent Evaluation of Sports Wagering, is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Craig J. Zucker (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-03-25 (Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0970-2026RS
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Maryland SB 0970
- State: Maryland
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Sports Wagering - Independent Evaluation of Sports Wagering
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-02-13
- Last action: 2026-03-25, Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m.
- Sponsor: Craig J. Zucker (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Subjects: Gaming, Advertising, Commerce and Business -see also- ElectrComm; ForeignTr; etc., Contracts -see also- Procurement, Evaluations and Reviews, Gaming and Gambling, Licenses -see also- AB Lic; Certifications; DrLic; Permits, Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, State, Sports and Recreation
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (41 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Craig J. Zucker (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Bill Ferguson (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-20 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 41 | 0 | 2 |

## Actions (10)

- 2026-03-25: Hearing 4/02 at 1:00 p.m. (House)
- 2026-03-21: Referred Ways and Means (House)
- 2026-03-20: Third Reading Passed (41-0) (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Second Reading Passed with Amendments (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Floor Amendment {943923/1 (Senator Zucker) Adopted (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Favorable Adopted (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: Hearing 3/11 at 1:00 p.m. (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Rereferred to Budget and Taxation (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: First Reading Senate Rules (Senate)

## Bill text

- Third Reading, 2026-03-19: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0970t.pdf)
- First Reading, 2026-02-13: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0970f.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization (became law)
- SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishment (became law)
- SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)
- SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act) (became law)
- SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits (became law)
- HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)

## Sources
- [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0970t.pdf)
- [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/sb/sb0970f.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - A…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0496-2026RS)
- [SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0366-2026RS)
- [SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0244-2026RS)
- [SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0148-2026RS)
- [SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0016-2026RS)
- [HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0529-2026RS)
- [Maryland bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland/bills)
- [Maryland state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0970-2026RS (as of 2026-10-12).