On Monday, the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) awarded Greenmount Station in Hampstead, MD, a sports wagering license.
This vote comes just a week after the Carroll County-based off-track betting site (OTB) qualified for a license.
Greenmount Station one step closer to sports betting
Greenmount Station is one of the 17 land-based facilities that the state had pre-designated as eligible to apply for a Maryland sports betting license.
Since opening in 2018, the OTB is already making quick strides to open its doors to sports bettors.
Just last week, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) determined that the venue met the qualification requirements for a sports wagering license.
Now just days later, the SWARC voted unanimously to award this OTB a license.
Next step? Controlled demonstrations with MD Lottery
Greenmount Station will have to undergo controlled demonstrations with MD Lottery & Gaming before the state issues a sports betting license.
During the controlled demos, guests will participate in live wagering at the OTB under the observation of MD Lottery. Officials will then conduct on-site monitoring to ensure that all systems perform as required. They’ll also verify that operational and revenue reporting controls are operational at the site. Greenmount Station would need to undergo two successful days of the “soft launch” before opening up to the public.
So far, only Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Live! Casino & Hotel and MGM National Harbor have successfully completed these demos.
Maryland OTBs waiting for licenses
Riverboat on the Potomac and Long Shot’s are also awaiting their soft launch with MD Lottery.
Riverboat on the Potomac is an OTB site, restaurant and lottery retailer located in Colonial, VA, on the VA-MD border. They recently secured a 10-year deal with PointsBet Sportsbook. PB will handle retail betting operations at Riverboat.
Long Shot’s is an OTB site based in Frederick, MD. So far, the venue hasn’t announced its sportsbook partner.
MD Lottery officials tell PlayMaryland, the controlled demos for these venues and Greenmount Station haven’t been scheduled yet:
“All three of those facilities are working through the same procedural steps that the five casinos went through, including licensing of their operator partners, contractors and employees and the creation and approval of their procedures for internal controls, security and responsible gaming. We don’t yet have a timetable for their controlled demonstrations and opening dates, but our staff is working closely with all three businesses. “
