The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) published its proposed sports betting regulations in the state register last week, opening a 30-day public comment and review period.
The public has 30 days to review and comment on the 227 pages of proposed sports betting rules, leading up to a public hearing on the rules on Wednesday, September 22. At the end of the public comment period the rules can be officially approved by the gaming commission and the issuance of sports betting licenses can begin.
The application process for online sports betting licenses will be competitive, the MLGC spokesperson told the Saturday Tradition. The Sports Wagering Application Review Committee (SWARC) will review applications. The agency has yet to publish application procedures.
SWARC will establish the license application process, award all sports wagering licenses, establish special considerations for Class B and online sports betting licenses and ensure the allocation of licenses are spread equitably across the state.
An FAQ section on the MLGCA website says applicants not identified in the sports betting legislation may have to wait 12 to 24 months for consideration.
“Some of the entities named in the Sports Wagering Law may have their brick-and-mortar sports wagering operations up and running during the fall of 2021,” the commission site said. “For a business that is not named in the Sports Wagering Law, the review by SWARC and a licensing background investigation could take between 12 and 24 months from May 2021.”
The 17 entities listed in the Maryland sports betting bill are:
Casino Licenses
- Horseshoe Casino (A-1 License)
- Live! Casino (A-1 License)
- MGM (A-1 License)
- Hollywood Casino (A-2 License)
- Ocean Downs Casino (A-2 License)
- Rocky Gap Casino Resort (A-2 License)
Professional Sports Stadium Licenses
- Oriole Park (A-1 License)
- M&T Bank Field (A-1 License)
- FedEx Field (A-1 License)
Racetrack Licenses
- Laurel Park and Pimlico Park (One A-2 License between them)
OTB Locations
- Greenmount Station (B License)
- The Jockey Bar and Grille (B License)
- Long Shot’s (B License)
- Riverboat on the Potomac (B License)
- Maryland State Fairgrounds (B License)
Commercial Bingo Halls (with at least 200 machines)
- Bingo World
- Rod ‘N’ Reel
60 potential online sports betting licenses
The state will allow 60 mobile sports betting licenses in its program.
A Class A-1 license will cost $2 million to acquire and $500,000 in renewals; A Class A-2 license will cost $1 million to acquire and $300,000 to renew; A class B-1 license will cost $250,000 to acquire and $50,000 to renew; A class B-2 license will cost $50,000 and $10,000 in renewals. An application fee for an online sports betting license is $500,000.
