Maryland is ready to begin accepting applications for potential new brick-and-mortar sportsbook operators that are ready to enter the state’s legal and regulated sports betting market.
On Tuesday the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) announced the opening of its eLicensing platform.
With its Maryland sports betting legislation, lawmakers designated pre-named entities that are eligible for sports betting licenses.
Now, those entitles, which range from casinos to horse racing tracks to professional sports teams, can begin the process.
Pre-named entities can apply for MD sports betting licenses
The pre-named entities can now begin the application process. As a result, that’ll jumpstart the MLGCC’s criminal and financial background investigations. It’ll also speed up their issuing of temporary licenses.
Maryland missed a key opportunity after it failed to gets its sports betting market live by the start of the 2021 NFL season.
However, with the new eLicensing platform underway, as well as a plan for an expedited licensing procedure, there’s some good news. According to an official, the first Maryland sportsbooks could be taking in-person wagers (“retail betting“) by the start of the NFL postseason in January.
As Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin stated:
“We anticipate that some of the 17 specified locations may be able to start taking sports wagers late this fall or early this winter, in time for the NFL playoffs. We’re actively working to expedite the process.”
The accelerated timeline is due to the fact that the MLGCC can waive certain requirements for applicants that have brick-and-mortar licenses in other states.
In essence, if other states have background investigation standards similar to what Maryland would initiate, the MLGCC is willing to issue a temporary license. The newly created Sports Wagering Application Review Commission signed off on the plan in August.
A look at Maryland’s pre-approved entities
The 17 pre-named entities for MD sports betting are some of the most popular entertainment destinations in the Old Line State.
Those entities include:
Casinos
- MGM National Harbor
- Live! Casino & Hotel
- Hollywood Casino Perryville
- Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
- Ocean Downs
- Rocky Gap Casino Resort
Teams and stadiums
- M&T Bank Stadium ( Check today’s Baltimore Ravens odds)
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Check today’s Baltimore Orioles odds)
- FedExField (Check today’s Washington Football Team odds)
Horse racing tracks
- Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park thoroughbred (shared license)
OTB facilities
- Greenmount Station
- Long Shot’s
- Maryland State Fairgrounds
- Riverboat on the Potomac
- The Jockey Bar and Grille
Bingo halls
- Bingo World
- Rod ‘N’ Reel
Unfortunately for online sportsbook operators, the timeline to launch is still undetermined. However, once the application and licensing procedures are determined, mobile sports betting apps probably won’t be live until mid-2023 at the earliest.
In addition to the pre-named entities, Maryland could have many other operators in the competitive market. More specifically, the state can issue 30 additional Class B licenses to brick-and-mortar locations. It can also issue up to 60 licenses to online sports wagering operators.
