Maryland Sports Betting Application Review Commission Awards 10 Mobile Sports Betting Licenses

The Maryland Sports Betting Application Review Commission (SWARC) voted to award mobile sports betting licenses to 10 companies at a meeting held on Wednesday, November 16:

• Arundel Amusements (Bingo World)

• BetMGM Maryland Sports LLC

• Crown MD Online Gaming LLC (DraftKings)

• CZR Maryland Mobile Opportunity LLC (Horseshoe Baltimore Casino)

• Greenmount OTB LLC

• Long Shot LLC

• Maryland Stadium Sub LLC (Washington Commanders)

• PENN Maryland OSB LLC (Hollywood Casino Perryville)

• PPE Maryland Mobile LLC (Live! Casino and Hotel)

• Riverboat on the Potomac LLC

SWARC rewards do not allow licensees to start taking bets immediately. Each company works with Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff to meet operational requirements before Maryland Lottery and Gaming approves the launch. The final step for each candidate is the successful completion of a controlled demonstration of their systems and procedures, which involves live betting by customers at specific dates and times approved by Maryland Lottery and Gaming. Information on the timing of the controlled demonstrations will be provided by the operators.

Under Maryland sports betting law, SWARC is authorized to conduct a competitive process to award up to 60 mobile licenses and up to 30 Class B facility licenses. A 45-day application period s ended on October 21, 2022 during which SWARC received 21 mobile applications and six Class B installation applications.

Applicants must be deemed qualified through Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) background investigations before SWARC is permitted to consider them for licensing. The 10 companies that obtained licenses today were deemed qualified by the MLGCC on October 27.

On an ongoing basis, there will be additional MLGCC qualification hearings and SWARC licensing meetings. The dates of these meetings will be announced as the MLGCC and SWARC are ready to organize them. The MLGCC conducts background investigations of applicants to determine if they demonstrate integrity and financial stability to qualify for a sports betting license. SWARC assesses the suitability of applicants, reviews their business and marketing plans, and determines whether licensing an applicant is in the public interest.

— SWARC press release

Photo by Courtney Clayton on Unsplash