Maryland Regulators Set Stage For Potential Nov. 23 Online Sportsbook Launch
Legal online Maryland sports betting could start in a week. On Wednesday, regulators in the state approved 10 license applications and set in motion a testing phase that upon successful completion, would enable online sportsbooks to start taking bets as soon as Nov. 23.
The Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission’s (SWARC) actions on Wednesday signal that after more than two years of waiting, Marylanders should soon be able to enjoy the activity they voted to legalize.
Multiple Maryland sports betting apps are already preparing for their launch in the state.
Online Maryland sports betting set to begin soon
On Wednesday morning, the SWARC considered 10 mobile license applications that the Maryland Gaming and Lottery Control Commission forwarded on Oct. 27. Those applications were from:
- Arundel Amusements (which does business in Maryland as Bingo World)
- BetMGM Maryland Sports
- Crown MD Gaming (connected to DraftKings)
- CZR Maryland Mobile Opportunity (connected to Caesars)
- Greenmount Station (conne
cted to betParx) - Long Shot’s (connected to Betfred)
- Maryland Stadium Sub (connected to FedEx Field and Fanatics)
- Penn Maryland OSB/Hollywood Casino
- PPE Maryland Mobile (connected to FanDuel)
- Riverboat on the Potomac (connected to PointsBet)
The SWARC unanimously approved the applications for all 10 licenses. Testing protocols should take about a week, provided everything goes well. Thus, these operators could actually start accepting bets as soon as Nov. 23.
While these operators will probably look to launch in Maryland as soon as they can, there’s no guarantee right now that all of them will do so on Nov. 23. Some of them could launch later.
It all depends on final regulatory approval and the sportsbooks’ individual readiness to start doing business. At least two of the new licensees have already welcomed Marylanders to make their own preparations.
BetMGM, Caesars offering early registration bonuses
Two popular sportsbooks are currently accepting account registrations and deposits in their Android/iOS apps. The first is BetMGM offering free bets valued at $200.
Meanwhile, Caesars says it will give bettors who register ahead of the full app launch four free bets worth $25 each.
To take advantage of these offers, bettors need to complete their registrations before the apps begin taking bets in Maryland. In the case of Caesars, Marylanders also need to deposit at least $20 to get in on the offer.
For any Maryland residents or visitors who miss out on these deals, both sportsbooks will likely have launch-day new user offers as well. The same will likely go for the other eight operators that became licensees on Wednesday.
Provided everything goes smoothly over the next week, Nov. 23 looks like it should be a long-awaited day in the Old Line State.
Related Articles
