Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order on Friday banning all Maryland state government employees from using nonpublic information obtained on the job to place bets on prediction markets. The order took effect immediately upon signing on April 24, 2026, in Annapolis.
Moore issued the directive to reinforce ethical standards in public service. The order prohibits executive branch employees, contractors, appointees to boards and commissions, and Moore himself from engaging in any financial transactions on prediction markets that rely on confidential state information. Prediction markets are online platforms where participants wager on the outcomes of real-world events ranging from elections to economic indicators.
In his public statement, Moore said Public service is a public trust. “The executive order I’ve signed today makes sure that NO ONE in my administration can use what they learn on the job to line their own pockets through online betting platforms. He referenced ongoing federal investigations into cases where individuals with access to sensitive information, such as details about military operations, allegedly used that knowledge to profit. Moore called such actions disgusting and shameful.”
The measure builds directly on Executive Order 01.01.2023.05, which Moore signed on his first day in office in January 2023. That earlier order established high standards of integrity and honesty for state employees. The new Executive Order 01.01.2026.09 adds specific language barring the use of nonpublic government information for prediction market transactions. It applies to everyone who works for or contracts with Maryland’s Executive Branch.
State agencies must immediately report any suspected violations to their agency counsel and to the Governor’s Chief Legal Counsel. Violations are grounds for immediate termination for both employees and contractors. The order includes whereas clauses that highlight the rapid rise of prediction markets and the associated risks to public trust. It directs agency heads to communicate the policy promptly and ensure full compliance.
For Southern Maryland, this policy holds particular relevance. St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles counties are home to thousands of state employees working in agencies tied to naval operations at Patuxent River, environmental management of the Chesapeake Bay public safety programs, and education initiatives. These roles often involve access to nonpublic data on infrastructure projects, energy developments, and community services. The ban aims to preserve trust in these local operations where employees handle information that could influence prediction market outcomes.
No specific incidents involving Southern Maryland state workers prompted the order. Officials applied the rule uniformly across the state to prevent any potential conflicts. Maryland state government employs a significant workforce in the region, supporting facilities such as the Naval Air Station Patuxent River and various environmental and transportation projects. Maintaining ethical standards in these areas helps protect the integrity of public programs that directly affect residents’ daily lives.
The full text of Executive Order 01.01.2026.09 is available through official state channels at governor.maryland.gov. It references Section E of the 2023 standards of conduct order which already prohibited using nonpublic information for private benefit. The new directive strengthens enforcement with explicit reporting requirements and termination penalties.
Moore has emphasized similar ethics initiatives throughout his administration including audit improvements and performance standards. State officials have not released estimates on the number of affected employees or any potential economic impacts. The focus remains on prevention and upholding the principle that government works for the people not for personal gain.
Implementation began immediately after signing with attestation by Secretary of State Susan C Lee. Agency leaders are responsible for distributing the policy and training staff as needed. This action positions Maryland as proactive in addressing emerging risks from prediction markets amid national discussions about insider advantages on such platforms.
Southern Maryland residents rely on state services for everything from transportation upgrades to public safety coordination. By closing potential loopholes in ethics rules the order seeks to ensure that all government actions prioritize community needs over individual profit. Moore stressed that Marylanders deserve and will have a government that works for THEM.
