Two Maryland small business owners are now in the sports betting business. The Greenmount Station off-track betting (OTB) facility received approval from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency and can now start accepting wagers.
The two local business owners, Chris Richards and David Robertson, partnered with Parx Casino Philadelphia. That allowed them to gain access to Parx’s mobile sports betting software, odds and back-end operations.
Richards, owner of a restaurant, and Richardson, owner of a bowling alley, called the alliance with Parx a “huge opportunity.” Richards, Richardson, and Parx were granted mobile and online licenses.
But Richardson was quick to point out to PlayUSA that while Parx is handling the back end operations, 11 residents of Hampstead and surrounding areas were hired and trained as tellers.
“There are employees coming in and there are the cashiers and the managers and the operations staff,” Richardson said. “So that’s our sportsbook, but Parx takes care of the back end.”
The expansion of the OTB will now feature self-service betting kiosks, betting windows, full-service bar, additional seating and several more big screen televisions.
“We’re going to be one of the first small venue sportsbooks in the country and that makes us even more amazing,” Richardson said.
Richardson added that this will also boost business for both he and Richards.
“You turn left and it’s a Maryland Jockey Club OTB,” Richardson said. “You turn right and it’s like entering a Parx casino.”
It’s only a matter of time before the large sportsbooks enter Maryland. Online sports betting is anticipated to launch in either late November or early December.
Richardson, however, isn’t worried about the competition.
“There’s definitely the big boys, the DraftKings, the FanDuels, but I think there’s room for more players,” Richardson said. “These guys are national teams, I don’t think they understand Maryland. Chris and I are as Maryland as it gets.”
