Days after its emergency regulations were approved, the Maryland online sports betting license application process is now officially open.

The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) opened its application process today for online sports betting and Class B facility sports betting licenses. Businesses and individuals pursuing a license will need to submit an application within 45 days. The deadline to apply is Oct. 21, 2022.

It’s good news for the state, as this makes a 2022 launch possible, according to a high-ranking lottery official.

Maryland online sports betting in 2022?

With the application window officially open, Maryland now stands a “good chance” of launching before the end of 2022, Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin said in a press 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,” he said.

The official process opened just days after the Maryland Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) approved emergency sports betting application regulations for the state.

After the application window closes on Oct. 21, SWARC can take up to 45 days to review the applications as Maryland Lottery and Gaming completes background investigations to determine whether applicants are qualified for licenses.

This puts the process at Dec. 5 at the latest. Once the application window is closed, Maryland Lottery and Gaming will inform SWARC of applicant that have been found qualified. SWARC can then award licenses.

Once licenses are awarded, operators must then complete regulatory testing requirements and a successful controlled demonstration for Maryland Lottery and Gaming before they can launch online sports betting in the state.

This still makes a late 2022 Maryland launch very possible.

Approved operators must submit diversity plan

The AELR’s approval of SWARC’s emergency rules came hours after the commission met on Sept. 2 and also approved new “diversity plan requirements” for online sports betting operators. Operators must submit a “diversity plan” to SWARC within 30 calendar days of receiving a license that shows the company is making an effort to ensure it promotes equality of opportunity.

Each operator must agree to make a “good faith effort” to meet a series of diversity objectives outlined in SWARC’s diversity plan. These include strategies for obtaining a diverse group of owners, investors, and employees, including executive positions, and contractors, for each operator.

However, if the requirements in the operator’s “diversity plan” are not met, it does mean their license will be cancelled, Assistant Attorney General David Stamper said during the Sept. 2 SWARC meeting.