The Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission gathered for its monthly meeting on Thursday, and one commissioner addressed a topic that Maryland sports bettors are undoubtedly thinking about.
Once the SWARC receives the results of the research mentioned by Randy Marriner, the body will be able to move forward with issuing mobile sports betting licenses. Marylanders will be able to legally gamble on sports online sooner if the research is finished. Only five casinos in the state presently provide retail sports betting, and internet betting has yet to launch.
That isn’t the kind of news that enthusiastic bettors in the state were hoping for.
With the SWARC not meeting again until mid-May and the fate of the disparity study unknown following Thursday’s meeting, implementing legal online betting by the start of the 2022 NFL season — a former expectation — may be a tall order. Marylanders who wish to legally bet on sports will have to rely on the state’s retail betting venues for the time being.
In recent months, the SWARC has granted retail sports betting licenses to four more businesses. The launch dates for those four sites are scheduled to be announced soon, although some of the businesses have declined to provide their estimated debut dates. Here’s a deeper look at what’s in store for Maryland’s retail sports betting market.
Riverboat-on-the-Potomac, an off-track betting company with a Colonial Beach, Virginia address, has teamed with PointsBet to open four new venues. The retail sportsbook at the facility is scheduled to open shortly, although there is no formal date established for when it will open.
Greenmount Station likewise anticipates sharing information about its retail sports betting operation shortly, while the off-track betting facility in Hampstead awaits the approval of its sports betting partner. Greenmount has yet to reveal who its sports wagering partner is, although the facility does have an agreement in place.
Greenmount Station and Riverboat-on-the-Potomac look to be the most near to establishing retail enterprises.
Long Shot’s, a Frederick off-track betting establishment, obtained its license a few months ago but has yet to announce intentions to open its retail sports betting operation. The organization has also yet to announce a sportsbook operator relationship, indicating that it is willing to take its time getting ready for its sports wagering launch.
Finally, in February, Bingo World got a sports betting license, and the company has teamed up with Rush Street Interactive. The commencement of sports betting at Bingo World, like the other organizations that have got licenses, has yet to be announced.
Retail Betting is Open at Five Casinos
Maryland presently has five casinos that provide retail sports betting, with Live! Casino (FanDuel) in Hanover and MGM National Harbor (BetMGM) in Oxon Hill generating the most monthly volume. The other three casinos having retail sports betting businesses are Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino (Caesars), Berlin’s Ocean Downs Casino (TwinSpires), and Perryville’s Hollywood Casino (Barstool Sportsbook).
The Brew Brothers restaurant at Horseshoe Casino had not yet opened when the sports betting activity first began. That has recently changed, as the restaurant is now open and serves 24 craft beers from across the world, as well as cuisine, LED TV screens, and fan lounges. The restaurant collaborates with local breweries to provide patrons with Maryland-themed beers.
TwinSpires indicated earlier this year that it will cease its mobile sports betting operation, putting Ocean Downs Casino in a peculiar situation. Initially, it appeared like TwinSpires intended to preserve its retail stores, but Ocean Downs Casino will almost certainly want to provide patrons with a mobile betting alternative. Is it possible that this will lead to a future partnership with a different operator?
At the April 28 lottery meeting, Hollywood Casino is anticipated to provide an update on the progress of its permanent sportsbook.
Last Updated on by Ryan
