The Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Commission voted today to find qualified five entities for Maryland sports betting licensing. Some applicants are seeking sports wagering facility licenses, others are seeking just mobile sports wagering licensing, and one is seeking both types.
In Maryland, a finding of being qualified by the Lottery & Gaming Control Commission is just an early step in the approval process for applicants.
âThe MLGCC conducts background investigations to determine whether an applicant has demonstrated the honesty, integrity, good character and financial stability to be qualified for a sports wagering license,â according to the commission.
In some cases, applicants must also be âawardedâ a license after consideration by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC). The SWARC determines ââsuitabilityâ and considers whether approval of the business is in the public interest.
Then, awardees return to the Lottery & Gaming Control Agency for a final approval phase that often includes a controlled demonstration of adherence to state-mandated policies and procedures.
Maryland betting apps started operating in the state Nov. 23.
Among the entities found qualified today was SBOpco, the corporate entity associated with SuperBook, a well-known player nationally in the sports gambling industry. SuperBook is known for its extravagant destination sportsbook at the Westgate Casino in Las Vegas.
In Maryland, SuperBook has partnered with the Baltimore Orioles and presumably will be the operator of a retail sportsbook at or near Orioles Park at Camden Yards. In addition to seeking a sports wagering facility licenses, SBpco is seeking a Mobile Sports Wagering License and an Online Sports Wagering Operator License. SBOpco has been granted sports wagering and gaming-related licenses in Colorado, New Jersey, and Arizona and has related licenses pending in Tennessee, according to commission agenda materials.
And Then the Rest
Also found qualified for licensing by the state Lottery & Gaming Control Commission were:
- Canton Gaming (submitting two applications), which plans two retail sportsbooks associated with a sports bar brand familiar to Marylanders, the Greene Turtle. One facility, in Canton in Baltimore City, will be in a currently unoccupied restaurant space, and the Towson facility in Baltimore County will be in a building that is currently under construction. Canton Gaming has an agreement with Parx Interactive Maryland (BetParx Maryland) to serve as its operator partner in Canton and Towson.
- Kathe P. Hospitality Services, Inc.âs application is for a Sports Wagering Facility. This is a woman-owned business, the second such entity to enter the sports gambling business in Maryland. The application identifies a facility currently doing business as Michaelâs on the South River in Anne Arundel County, which has operated mainly as a full-service caterer for parties and wedding receptions, according to the commissionâs agenda materials.
- Crab Sports Maryland for a Mobile Sports Wagering License. According to commission agenda materials, Crab Sports, a new business, was formed for the purpose of conducting mobile and online sports wagering. Crab Sports has entered into a service agreement with iGaming Cloud, Inc., trading as Gaming Innovation Group (âGiGâ), to operate its mobile and online sports wagering platforms, according to agenda materials.
The findings of the applicants being qualified will be forwarded to the SWARC, which next meets Feb. 15. There is no timeline for when any of these businesses actually might start accepting wagers.
BetMaryland.com stays on top of sports betting news in the state as well as provides insight into Maryland sportsbook promos.
