December 11th, 2017 by WCBC Radio

Casino industry advocates say Maryland legislators should take a closer look at sports betting this coming legislative session as a Supreme Court decision that could open the door to legalizing the practice nationwide looms.  The nation's highest court has taken up a case challenging the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act – which restricts betting on sports games to Nevada and sports lotteries to a handful of other states – later this year.  A decision in the case, Christie v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, could be handed down between April and June, said Sara Slane, a lobbyist for the American Gaming Association. Maryland lawmakers have considered legislation related to sports gambling in recent sessions but the bills failed to win approval from both chambers. This year, a measure that would have ordered a study on implementing sports wagering in the state and allowed a voter referendum to authorize the practice if the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act is overruled never made it out of a House committee.  Delegate Jason Buckel says it would be unwise for Maryland to turn away from legalized sports gaming…