Maryland sportsbooks now have an initial starting date — assuming they get the thumbs up on a “controlled demonstration” and other requirements over the next few days.
Maryland Lottery & Gaming Director John Martin announced during today’s Lottery & Gaming Control Commission meeting that the initial starting date is next Wednesday, Nov. 23, although a specific time was not given. That time will be determined early next week.
On Tuesday, the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) unanimously voted to award mobile sports wagering licenses to 10 entities that had been previously found qualified by the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Commission.
Those 10 are:
- Arundel Amusements, Inc. (Bingo World with Rush Street Interactive)
- BetMGM Maryland Sports, LLC (MGM National Harbor)
- Crown MD Online Gaming, LLC (DraftKings)
- CZR Maryland Mobile Opportunity, LLC (Caesars Entertainment/Horseshoe Casino Baltimore)
- Greenmount OTB, LLC (with PARX Interactive Maryland)
- Long Shot’s, LLC (with BetFred Maryland promo)
- Maryland Stadium Sub, LLC (FedExField, home of the NFL Washington Commanders with Fanatics)
- PENN Maryland OSB, LLC (PENN Entertainment/Hollywood Casino Perryville)
- PPE Maryland Mobile, LLC (Live! Casino & Hotel with FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Riverboat on the Potomac, LLCWA (with PointsBet Sportsbook Maryland)
Three of those 10 — Long Shot's (BetFred), Greenmount OTB (PARX Interactive) and Maryland Stadium Sub (FedExField/Fanatics) — have said they will not be ready.
The other sportsbooks must prove they can operate successfully online as well as comply with required procedures. Part of that is what is termed a “controlled demonstration.”
If the Lottery and Gaming Agency approves the demonstration and other requirements are met, the sportsbook can launch and accept wagers.
In making the much-anticipated announcement, Martin noted the three operators that have said they can’t be ready by next week and said: “We will proceed with the other licensees with the intent to launch on Wednesday, Nov. 23 — we will launch on Wednesday, Nov. 23. The time is still to be determined, and we should have an update on that as we get further into this final issuance phase. We will hope to announce a start time for Wednesday early next week and I want to stress that the controlled demonstration is one of several operational requirements that must be successfully completed before launch. So, all operational requirements must be met prior to launch next Wednesday, the 23rd.”
Thanksgiving Aspirations Are Met
The hope was that some Maryland betting apps would be ready to go by Thanksgiving Day and now that will happen.
It will be interesting to see if FanDuel Sportsbook Maryland promo codes and those of a host of other sportsbooks get action on the three NFL games that day: Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions (CBS, 12:30), New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (FOX, 4:30) and New England Patriots at Minnesota Vikings (NBC, 8:20).
The Baltimore Ravens’ first game that will be available to mobile Maryland NFL betting will be Sunday, when they travel to meet the Jacksonville Jaguars (CBS, 1 p.m.).
The University of Maryland plays No. 2 Ohio State, on Saturday, Nov. 19, at home (ABC, 3:30 p.m.),
Remember to stick with BetMaryland.com for all sports betting coverage and for Maryland sportsbook promos.
