Two years after Marylanders overwhelmingly voted to legalize sports gambling, state officials on Tuesday awarded licenses that allow companies to offer mobile sports betting.
Maryland’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission handed out 10 licenses. Bettors eager to hop on their phones to place wagers will have to wait at least a few more days, though, as license awardees are still working with the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency to pass final operational tests.
“Our staff has been in continuous contact with these mobile sports wagering businesses and has already guided them through many of the necessary steps,” Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin said in a statement. “The last hurdle is for them to have controlled demonstrations, and SWARC’s awards of licenses on Wednesday would clear the way for that to happen.”
Most of the companies are major operators, such as BetMGM and DraftKings. The Washington Commanders were also awarded a license, and the app will be operated by Fanatics.
Here are the companies that were given licenses Tuesday:
- Arundel Amusements (Bingo World)
- BetMGM Maryland Sports LLC
- Crown MD Online Gaming LLC (DraftKings)
- CZR Maryland Mobile Opportunity LLC (Horseshoe Casino Baltimore)
- Greenmount OTB LLC
- Long Shot’s 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
In-person sports gambling launched in December 2021, and the time it’s taken to approve sports betting has been a long time coming for bettors.
More mobile licenses could be awarded moving forward. Maryland law allows for no more than 60 mobile licenses at any one time.
In October, the eight in-person sportsbooks in Maryland combined for a $39.66 million handle on sports wagers — a 21.7% increase over September.
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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