Maryland State Board of Elections imposes record fine on Sports Betting Alliance

The Maryland State Board of Elections has imposed its biggest penalty yet on the Sports Betting Alliance, a strong group of influential gambling corporations that includes DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, and Fanatics Sportsbook. 

Record fine imposed on Sports Betting Alliance

The group has received a significant penalty of $48,000 for not complying with the strict 48-hour disclosure rules of the state during the 2020 campaign aimed at obtaining public approval for legalizing sports betting.

The Maryland State Board of Elections’ Director of Candidacy and Campaign Finance, Jared DeMarinis, emphasized the board’s steadfast dedication to upholding stringent disclosure regulations.

DeMarinis emphasized, “We’re cracking down hard on disclosure with independent expenditure entities, and that was the biggest one that was collected so far.” This momentous fine is regarded as a major stride towards ensuring transparency and accountability in campaign financing.

$75,000 in fines

During the months of April and May, the Maryland State Board of Elections collected around $75,000 in fines. These penalties have primarily been issued for insufficient record-keeping of campaign donations and expenses. While most fines have been small, totaling $1,200 or less, the Sports Betting Alliance received a significant penalty.

Out of all the fines imposed, a staggering 91%, which amounts to about $68,000, is due to the fact that four organizations failed to submit their 48-hour notice reports. In Maryland, independent expenditure groups are allowed to take in unrestricted contributions. Nevertheless, any expenses that go over $10,000 must be made known to the Maryland State Board of Elections within 48 hours.