Maryland regulators have received sports betting applications from Hollywood Casino and Ocean Downs last week, bringing to five the number of applicants that have shown they meet the requirements for sportsbook licensing.
The casinos were among the venues stipulated in the state’s sports betting law that automatically qualify for licensing under the framework bill approved in April. However, the Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission is still operating under emergency regulations put in place last spring.
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) must still review public comments received on proposed permanent regulations. The agency had planned to publish permanent rules before the end of October, but consideration of the rules were not on the agenda for last week’s regular monthly meeting. The MLGCA meets next on November 18.
Hollywood Casino, in Perryville, will use the Barstool Sportsbook platform for both online and retail books. Barstool will soon be wholly owned by the casino’s parent company, Penn National Gaming. Ocean Downs will use the TwinSpires platform from Churchill Downs.
Horseshoe Casino is partnered with Caesars, Maryland Live! has a deal with FanDuel, and MGM National Harbor will use its BetMGM digital platform.
There were 17 entities identified by the law to be licensed, which includes all six of the state’s casinos. That state could eventually have 60 licensees, including professional sports stadiums and arenas, bingo parlors, sports bars and other venues.
The state had planned to have live sports betting up and running by the end of the year, but the entire process now awaits the publishing of final regulations. “No one is pushing harder than I am to get sports betting up and running here in the state of Maryland,” said Governor Larry Hogan, according to Sports Handle.
“We’ve approved five facilities and our work is ongoing,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin in a press release. “We’ll continue sending applications to the SWARC so that it can make awards and sports wagering can launch by late fall. It’s what the public wants and expects, and we’re doing everything we can to deliver it.”
