Governor Larry Hogan has had enough dawdling in efforts to bring Maryland into the mobile sports betting world.
In a letter sent to the Sports Wagering and Application Review Commission (SWARC)—the legislative panel providing final approval for licenses in the state—Hogan called for the commission to have wagering available on mobile devices by the start of the NFL season in September.
“Marylanders have grown frustrated seeing mobile betting launch in Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. but not their state,” Hogan said. “Instead of decisive action to implement the voters’ decision, you have allowed the process to stagnate and become mired in overly bureaucratic procedures that have needlessly delayed the state’s ability to maximize the revenue potential of this emerging industry. They are angry and discouraged over SWARC’s inability to make it happen.”
Bettors can go to five casinos around Maryland to bet: MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Live! Casino in Hanover, the Horseshoe Baltimore, Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin, and the Hollywood Casino Perryville.
Those casinos have contributed nearly $2.7 million to the state’s coffers in the current fiscal year, according to figures released by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
Ahead of SWARC’s next meeting, Hogan called on the committee to prioritize mobile betting licenses and establish a “firm and transparent timeline” for residents to follow.
