Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland is dissatisfied with the delay and believes mobile sports betting will be operational by September.
The US.- Larry Hogan, the governor of Maryland, is becoming increasingly irritated with those responsible for licensing the online sports betting sector.
Hogan has requested that the state’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) “immediately accelerate and intensify” its efforts to make mobile sports betting available by September, when the NFL season begins.
Hogan approved a law that legalized online and in-person sports betting in Maryland last year. This followed the November 2020 approval of sports betting by voters. Since six months ago, retail sports betting has been permitted, but online sports betting has not yet begun.
In a public letter, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley stated;
“Instead of taking decisive action to implement the voters’ decision, you have allowed progress to stall and become bogged down in excessively bureaucratic procedures that have needlessly slowed the state’s ability to maximize the revenue potential of this growing industry.”
Maryland’s retail sports betting alternatives thrive, but the state does not provide mobile gambling. Governor Larry Hogan is enraged by the delay in launching internet gambling and wants a state committee to take action.
The upcoming NFL season must be accessible on mobile devices by September when it begins.
The governor believes that bureaucratic obstacles have hampered progress, and he would like to see adjustments done so that the state can begin to reap the benefits of mobile betting.
Stop Wasting Time
Hogan recently contacted the Sports Wagering and Application Review Commission by letter. This committee is responsible for approving a sports betting license for the state.
The governor told the committee that his constituents are sick of seeing mobile betting in other states while they cannot participate.
In his letter, the governor was forthright. According to him, the commission has done nothing to implement the people’s will and has instead allowed the process to drag on.
According to the governor, people in the region are upset and irritated that the commission cannot complete its duties.
Currently, five casinos allow sports betting. The MGM National Harbor and the Horseshoe Baltimore are among these.
A player must travel a short distance to place a wager if they do not live nearby. Mobile betting enables participants to place wagers from the comfort of their own homes.
Prioritize Mobile Betting Licensing
The governor wants the committee to prioritize mobile betting at its upcoming meeting and provide a schedule. When individuals learn that mobile gambling is on the horizon, they will feel more at peace.
Additionally, Hogan requested that the commission create licensing and law applications for mobile sports betting. It is unclear whether the commission would comply with the governor’s request and initiate the licensing procedure for mobile firms.
So far, retail sports betting has generated approximately $2.7 million for Maryland’s casinos. The numbers would be significantly larger if individuals could wager on their mobile devices.
In the United States, sports betting markets have demonstrated that individuals prefer to wager online over in person. Because travel is required, it is more convenient and less expensive for many players.
It will be interesting to see how this pans out and whether or not the committee begins to lobby the state to legalize mobile sports betting.
Governor Urging People Responsible to Act
The governor sent a letter to the Sports Wagering and Application Review Commission. This is the final step before prospective licensees may open their doors.
Hogan stated that the current scenario resulted from too many delays, and he was even more frustrated by the fact that West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia were all moving considerably faster.
According to Hogan, much red tape makes it difficult to get things done. Instead, the governor wants the mobile sports betting industry to launch swiftly and without hiccups so that the state does not lose out on potential revenue.
This appears to be easier said than done, as sports fans in Maryland must still visit one of the five businesses that have been formally authorized to accept wagers in person.
The majority of the power of sports betting, according to Hogan, is mobile, and sports fans in the state are already frustrated with SWARC’s hesitation and clear inability to pass a model that would make sports betting practical.
People continue to visit the Hollywood Casino Perryville, MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Horseshoe Baltimore, Live! Casino in Hanover and Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin in the interim.
Last Updated on by Ryan
