Maryland’s painful process of reviewing and approving applications for in-person sports betting was once again delayed last week. The commission set up to review applications announced at last week’s meeting—the first since September—that approvals will be delayed at least two weeks as the panel seeks more information from applicants.
Following an amendment to the state constitution overwhelmingly backed by Maryland voters in November 2020, Governor Larry Hogan signed the state’s sports betting legalization bill in May of this year.
The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) meeting had been expected to see approval of five Maryland casinos for sports betting licenses, which would send the applications to the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) for internal control systems verification, the final step before sports betting licenses are awarded.
However, following a nearly two-hour closed session to the public, the panel announced it is requesting supplemental ownership information from the five casino applicants. SWARC Chairman Tom Brandt said the commission received written legal advice and has asked for additional information from the applicants.
Brandt said action on the five applications likely will be taken at SWARC’s next meeting on November 18.
The five applicants awaiting approval are Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore (Caesars), Live! Casino and Hotel in Hanover (FanDuel), MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill (BetMGM), Hollywood Casino in Perryville (Barstool), and Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin (TwinSpires). All were included among the 17 entities designated for sports betting in the law passed last year and ratified by voters in the November election.
