FanDuel, DraftKings Betting Big For Maryland Sports Betting Vote

• FanDuel and DraftKings have contributed a combined $750,000 to the advocacy group “Vote Yes on Question 2.”
• The group is urging voters to supports the sports betting referendum to get legal sports betting in the state.
• If approved, education in the state will receive the majority of the revenue made.

BALTIMORE – DraftKings and FanDuel have funded a media campaign launch to urge residents to vote for the legalization of sports betting in Maryland on the November 3 ballot.

FanDuel and DraftKings have put $500,000 and $250,000 respectfully behind the advocacy group called “Vote Yes on Question 2” ran by the former University of Maryland and WNBA star, Marissa Coleman.

“Sports betting has been going on forever,” said Coleman from France, where she still plays professionally. “It’s not like Marylanders aren’t betting on sports. This gives us the opportunity to regulate it and make sure there is protection in place for the consumer.”

FanDuel officials agree that Maryland is losing out on sports betting revenue particularly from nearby states with legal options and hopes to be able to bring FanDuel Sportsbook to the state by 2021.

Through a referendum, Maryland lawmakers will be putting the legalization of sports betting in the hands of its residents this November since the coronavirus has created many limitations in passing a bill.

Local sports teams, casinos, fantasy sports sites, and more are all in support of Maryland sports betting legalization.

“Sports fans in Maryland are ready — and waiting — to bet on sports legally,” DraftKings said in a statement. “Legalizing sports betting will allow for a customer-centric experience and shut down illegal sites that offer no consumer protections. It will also keep money in Maryland that’s currently going to legal markets in neighboring states.”

Vote Yes on Question 2 aired a television ad, a broadcast, and launched a website on Tuesday. The first cable advertisement featured public school teachers explaining that the pandemic has increased the importance to fund education and that legal sports betting can be a partial solution.

According to the “Vote Yes” group website, Maryland sports betting could make as much as $40 million in annual tax revenue and the referendum states that the primary purpose is to raise revenue for education if approved.

Currently, there has been no paperwork filed from opponents raising money to fight Question 2 for the election this November.

News tags: Coronavirus | DraftKings | FanDuel | Marissa Coleman | Maryland | Vote Yes on Question 2