Just days after a successful pre-Thanksgiving launch, Maryland gambling regulators are already taking steps to expand the state’s nascent online sports betting market.
The state Lottery & Gaming Control Commission will meet Thursday morning to consider the licensing qualifications of two more online sportsbooks. Bally’s Interactive, LLC and WynnBet are on the meeting agenda, and both have been recommended for approval following investigations by the Lottery & Gaming Control Agency.
Another hearing for a BetWay subsidiary, Digital Gaming Corporation, was pulled from Thursday’s agenda at the company’s request, according to lottery officials.
Next steps for Bally Bet, WynnBet MD sportsbook apps
Maryland online sports betting officially began on Nov. 23 with seven sportsbook apps. Three other online sportsbooks are licensed but will not be available until later this year or early 2023.
Based on the timeline between qualification and the initial launch, Bally Bet and WynnBet could be taking digital bets in Maryland before the end of 2022.
Should the MLGCC approve, Bally’s and WynnBet need to be awarded licenses by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission, which meets on Dec. 14.
Finally, the MLGCA will hold a meeting on Dec. 15 and must conduct a controlled demonstration before the sports betting apps can go live. Demonstrations were completed in several days for the first wave of Maryland sportsbook apps.
Maryland online sports betting off to a smooth start
The long-awaited start to online sports betting in Maryland went well, Lottery & Gaming officials said. Despite a heavy sports calendar, no significant technical or operational issues were reported over the first few days.
GeoComply, a location and verification service, reported 16.5 million geolocation transactions in Maryland between 9 a.m. on Nov. 23 through 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 27. By comparison, market-opening transactions in Virginia were 8.5 million, Indiana were 6.7 million, Tennessee were 6.6 million and Colorado were 3.8 million.
The seven online sportsbooks currently available in Maryland are:
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- Barstool Sportsbook
Betfred, BetParx and Fanatics are also licensed, though a launch timeline for those apps has yet to be determined, according to state gaming officials.
Depending on Thursday’s outcome, Bally Bet and WynnBet could soon join that list.
