The Maryland Lottery has emitted confidence that sports betting will launch in the state this year, following news that the application process for operators and suppliers is finally set to open.
There has been a long wait to get to this point – prospective Maryland sports betting firms have been in limbo for over a year now – but the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) has now approved the application process for mobile and class B facility sports wagering licences.
Businesses and individuals have been given a 45-day window – until October 21 – to submit their applications.
SWARC then has up to 45 days to grant licences, which could potentially see sports betting launch in Maryland around the start of December.
“This is fantastic news,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin in a release.
“We know sports fans are eager to have mobile wagering, and we also know that it will substantially increase the contributions to education funding, so we’re eager too.
“We’ve been doing everything we can to have it launch before the end of the year, and now we have a good chance to make that happen.”
In addition to SWARC vetting applications, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) will also assess applicants before granting a licence.
Applicants will also have to stump up a $500,000 fee in order to obtain the licence.
“Maryland Lottery and Gaming has been hard at work on background investigations,” added Martin, whose firm recently celebrated its most successful year to date, contributing over $1.5bn back to the state’s good causes fund in FY2022.
“A number of businesses that are planning to apply for mobile licences have already submitted information to get their investigations started, and our licensing staff will continue guiding them through the qualification procedures.
“We’re focused on expediting our part of the process so mobile betting can start as soon as possible.”
