SWARC accelerates Maryland online sports betting launch
Suddenly, a Maryland online sports betting launch by Thanksgiving is not such a crazy idea after all.
The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) announced today it will bump up its online sports betting license approval meeting to Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 9 a.m. The commission originally planned to hold the meeting next week.
Up to 10 online sports betting licenses may potentially be awarded this week, with a Maryland online sports betting launch coming soon after.
Maryland online sports betting by Thanksgiving?
Members of SWARC will review 10 online sports betting license applications this Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 9 a.m.
After licenses are awarded, operators will not immediately be able to launch Maryland online sports betting. Operators will be required to work with Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff to complete operational requirements before they have approval to launch. The last step for each applicant is a successful completion of a controlled demonstration of its systems and procedures.
Information on an earliest possible launch date will be discussed at the SWARC meeting. The timeline makes an online sports betting launch possible by Thanksgiving.
“We had originally planned our next meeting to be November 21, but we’ve been working with our consultants from Taft Stettinius & Hollister and Spectrum Gaming Group to accelerate the pace and hold it earlier,” SWARC Chair Tom Brandt said in a press release. “We thank them for their diligence and professionalism through this process.”
The following 10 operators will have their applications heard this week. The applicants were found qualified for online sports betting licenses by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency in late October.
- Barstool Sportsbook
- BetFred
- BetMGM
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings
- Fanatics
- FanDuel
- Parx Interactive
- PointsBet
- Rush Street Interactive
Maryland sports betting partnerships
If awarded licenses by SWARC, Barstool Sportsbook will operate online sports betting at the Hollywood Casino in Perryville; BetFred will operate betting at OTB parlor Long Shots; BetMGM will operate betting at MGM National Harbor Casino; Caesars Sportsbook will operate betting at Horseshoe Baltimore Casino; DraftKings will operate betting at the Maryland State Fairgrounds; FanDuel will operate betting at the Maryland Live! casino; Parx Interactive will operate betting at Greenmount OTB; PointsBet will operate betting at Riverboat on the Potomac; and Rush Street Interactive will operate betting at Bingo World.
Fanatics has yet to announce an official partner, but rumors abound that the operator will likely work with the Washington Commanders to provide its sports betting services.
Additional award considerations will likely take place in upcoming SWARC meetings, Brandt said.
“Our focus for this meeting will be the mobile applicants who have been qualified by MLGCC,” Brandt said. “We will have additional award consideration meetings as SWARC and our advisors continue to review applications, and our next scheduled meeting is December 14. Mobile wagering will account for the bulk of the revenue from sports wagering, and we’re eager to enable Maryland to enter that market.”
