Maryland might have to wait a bit longer to offer legalized sports betting. The Mayland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission conducted a meeting to decide a timeline. John Martin, the Director of the state’s Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, participated in the meeting as well.
The authorities have decided on a late fall or early winter timeline. Regulators even launched a digital licensing system to keep up with the schedule. The system specifies that 17 entities like Horseshoe Casino Baltimore can already submit applications for financial and criminal background checks.
John stated that the administration is working with the named applicants that have started the investigation and background checking process. Afterward, the team will send the applications to SWARC (Sports Wagering Application Review Commission) to distribute the licenses. Thus, it will continue the positive outlook surrounding the sports wagering industry and may legalize it by late fall.
Such comments started to surface after the state’s General Assembly approved a bill authorizing both online and retail sports betting in Maryland in April. Governor Larry Hogan signed the bill in May, imposing it across the state.
According to the guidelines, customers aged 21 years or older can wager in the state. The state plans to issue 60 online sportsbook licenses alongside 47 retail book licenses for sports and related brick-and-mortar facilities.
However, the legislation mentioned 17 locations for in-person sports wagering licenses. The locations included the home venues of the Washington Football Team, Baltimore Ravens, and the Baltimore Orioles.
It also marked six casinos for retail wagering licenses, two horse racing tracks, and five off-track betting properties. These 17 locations are the most likely to receive licenses first as the state’s Lottery and Gaming Control Commission already offers an online licensing platform to them.
