With the start of online sports betting on the horizon, Maryland gaming regulators recently took a step toward ensuring those bets will be made within the state’s borders by legitimate customers.
GeoComply is now the latest brand to receive a stamp of approval from Maryland.
GeoComply granted operating license in Maryland
An official launch date for Maryland online sports betting has been announced for Wednesday, Nov. 23. A total of 10 sportsbooks were approved for licenses this past Wednesday, and final testing should conclude early next week for most operators.
The Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Control Agency awarded GeoComply a tier-one license to provide geolocation and identification verification services. Several Maryland sportsbook apps intend to integrate GeoComply’s software once the state’s regulated sports gambling market launches.
GeoComply has already received licenses in multiple U.S. gambling jurisdictions. BetMGM, Caesars and also FanDuel are among the handful of online sportsbook operators currently using the geolocation and ID verification system.
Sportsbook operators are responsible for geolocation verification
Lindsay Slader, GeoComply’s senior vice president of compliance, said the company is “very excited about the launch of Maryland’s highly anticipated mobile sports betting market. Our team has worked hard to meet Maryland’s rigorous standards.”
Slader elaborated on what this means for Maryland sports betting, saying:
“Having our license in hand means that our customers can launch with confidence on Day 1. We look forward to supporting the compliance needs of operators and providing state regulators with tools and data so they can properly oversee the growth of mobile sports betting in Maryland.”
State law requires customers to be located in Maryland when they place a sports bet on a mobile app. These regulations also place the responsibility of verifying users and complying with anti-money laundering laws on operators. GeoComply allows operators to meet those standards.
How close is online sports betting in Maryland?
Maryland gaming regulators have remained optimistic about launching online sports betting before the end of 2022. Now, as many as seven operators are prepared to go live on Nov. 23.
The sportsbook apps Sports Wagering Application Review Commission approved for licenses on Nov. 16 were:
- Betfred
- BetMGM
- betPARX
- BetRivers
- Barstool
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
- PointsBet
State law allows for as many as 60 mobile licenses. Regulators have also said they will consider license applications on a rolling basis going forward.
