PointsBet announced Friday the opening of a retail sportsbook at The Riverboat on the Potomac, one of Maryland’s four off-track betting facilities.
This will be the state’s sixth retail sportsbook in Maryland sports betting.
Last December, The Riverboat on The Potomac was one of 17 pre-named entities that the state designated as eligible to receive a sports wagering license.
The Riverboat on the Potomac LLC is comprised of Bodhi-Naav, a minority woman-owned business, and Delmock Technologies Inc., a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE).
Why Riverboat Is Eligible in Maryland
The location of The Riverboat is rather unique.
The Riverboat is actually moored in Virginia (Colonial Beach), but because the betting lounge, restaurant, liquor store and other facilities are located over the Maryland state line, the Riverboat contributes to Maryland lottery revenue and pays other Maryland state taxes.
“PointsBet is delighted to commence operations with The Riverboat team in the brand-new sportsbook overlooking the beautiful Potomac River," Paul Hannon, senior vice president of corporate development at PointsBet, said in a news release. "This is a seminal achievement for the partnership and Maryland’s gaming industry at large as the launch represents the first Minority Business Enterprise to go live with licensed gaming in the state’s history, in line with the spirit of legislation.
“It is a proud moment for The Riverboat and for us at PointsBet as their partner. We look forward to the prospective opportunity of bringing the renowned PointsBet mobile product to Maryland next and in doing so further enhancing The Riverboat’s equity and inclusion in the space.”
The sportsbook will include 21 high-resolution screens, a bar with food and beverage options, an exclusive lounge area, booth seating and standing room.
“I am proud of the work the members of our delegation, Senator (Michael) Jackson, Delegate (Susie) Proctor, Delegate (Debra) Davis, Delegate (Edith) Patterson and Delegate (C.T.) Wilson, have put into the sports wagering bill," Maryland State Senator Arthur Ellis said. "We fought hard for the sports betting industry in Maryland to be inclusive of both Charles County and minority businesses.
"The partnership between the Riverboat and PointsBet is a success on both fronts, proof that Maryland can be a leader in equity. This sportsbook gives Charles County a seat at the table, with 100% minority business enterprise (MBE) licensed ownership, in a billion-dollar industry. I trust that the Riverboat and all its partners will keep up the hard work and be strong partners in our community, and a leader in this new industry for the State.”
Last June, PointsBet announced a 10-year agreement with the Potomac River facility.
In addition to the retail sportsbook, PointsBet has retail locations in Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan, while its online and mobile sports betting product is live in 11 states (New Jersey, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Colorado, Virginia and West Virginia).
Soon, a mobile PointsBet Maryland sports app will be live with other operators as well.
