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Maryland’s mobile sports betting launch begins today after more than two years of waiting for the Old Line State.
Seven sports betting operators will begin accepting bets in Maryland today from 2 to 10 p.m. as part of a required “controlled demonstration” to fully launch on Wednesday, Nov. 23. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency has yet to announce a start time for Wednesday’s launch.
Maryland online sports betting to begin
In total, 10 sports betting operators received license approval last week from the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC). SWARC approved these operators and their partners for an online license.
- Barstool Sportsbook
- BetFred
- BetMGM
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
- Parx Interactive
- PointsBet
- Rush Street Interactive
While all 10 were approved by SWARC, only seven will participate in today’s controlled demonstration. BetFred, Fanatics, and Parx Interactive have informed the MLGCA they will not be participating today and will not be ready for Wednesday’s full launch.
“With an active sports season currently underway, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to launch our top-rated sportsbook app in Maryland,” said Matt Kalish, DraftKings Co-Founder and President, DraftKings North America, in a press release. “Our product delivers fans an exciting sports betting experience, and we would like to thank the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission, Governor Hogan and the General Assembly for bringing online sports wagering to Maryland.”
21+ and present in MA. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwtihdrawable bonus bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com
CLAIM OFFER
Barstool Sportsbook will operate online sports betting for the Hollywood Casino in Perryville; BetFred will operate betting for OTB parlor Long Shots; BetMGM will operate betting for MGM National Harbor Casino; Caesars Sportsbook will operate betting for Horseshoe Baltimore Casino; DraftKings will operate betting for the Maryland State Fairgrounds; FanDuel will operate betting for the Maryland Live! casino; Parx Interactive will operate betting for Greenmount OTB; PointsBet will operate betting for Riverboat on the Potomac; and Rush Street Interactive will operate betting for Bingo World.
Maryland’s online sports betting journey
It’s been more than two years since Maryland residents voted to approved sports betting in the state. Gov. Larry Hogan (R) signed the sports betting bill into law in 2021 and retail sports betting launched in December 2021.
Maryland’s online sports betting journey has been longer than any other state to legalize sports betting in the country. No other state has taken as long as Maryland since its bill being signed into law and the first online sports bet being placed.
Maryland’s process was largely held up as SWARC was forced to wait on the results of a sports wagering industry study for more than a year. SWARC was formed with the task to ensure gender and race-based fairness during the state’s sports betting licensing process
In a preview of the study findings in August, SWARC found that it could not apply race- and/or gender-conscious criteria in its online sports betting licensing process.
To counteract the findings, and not use gender- or race-conscious criteria in its licensing process, SWARC instituted a Personal Net Worth (PNW) provision in its application process.
Each operator approved met the PNW.
Robert is an expert on sports betting in the United States, specifically the legalization process and regulation surrounding the industry.
