A new online sportsbook is making its way through the approval process in Maryland.
Queen Sportsbook Maryland was approved recently by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission for an online sports betting license.
It now awaits the approval of the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission, which is next scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 17.
Queen Sportsbook Maryland has multiple steps ahead
SWARC approval would set Queen on a path to launching in Maryland, but it would not be immediate. After SWARC gives a sportsbook operator the green light, it still must go through a controlled demonstration to prove its systems and internal control procedures are functioning.
SuperBook Maryland is the latest to complete the process, having become the ninth online sportsbook in Maryland in April. Crab Sports passed through SWARC and figures to be No. 10.
According to a release from the MLGCC, it is responsible for conducting “background investigations to determine whether an entity has demonstrated the honesty, integrity, good character and financial stability to be qualified for a sports wagering license.”
Queen passed that test. SWARC will now evaluate an applicants suitability and whether awarding a license is in the public interest.
If all the steps are completed, Queen will get the green light to launch. There is no current timeline for that launch.
What is Queen Sportsbook?
Queen Sportsbook is a subsidiary of The Queen Casino & Entertainment, which has four locations and licenses in Illinois, Iowa and Louisiana.
Two of its casinos are located in Baton Rouge, La., while the others are in East St. Louis, Ill. and Marquette, Iowa. The Illinois casino carries the DraftKings name, but the national operator is already connected with Timonium Racetrack at Maryland State Fairgrounds in the Old Line State.
The MLGCC release did indicate that Queen is evaluating third-party providers for servers.
