LSB Brief: States Pushing For Sportsbook Launches By Fall 07/20/2021

Maryland should launch their sportsbooks by the end of 2021 if they remain on schedule.
Louisiana has licensed DraftKings as their first DFS operator and plans to go live with sports wagering for NFL betting action.
The Mohegan Tribe in Connecticut has switched to FanDuel as their sports gaming operator over Kambi.

BALTIMORE – The sports betting industry is in itself a lifeforce with a number of moving parts constantly in motion each and every day worldwide. This week the U.S. has seen plenty of headlines regarding sports gaming progress, whether that be regulatory, expansions, or partnerships.

The Maryland regulated sports wagering industry is still on track to launch before the end of the NFL season to get in on some of that profitable football betting action. FanDuel has now become the sportsbook of choice for the Mohegan Tribe in Connecticut, who originally partnered with Kambi.

Louisiana licensed DraftKings to launch their DFS platform, becoming the first DFS operator in the state. They are also aiming toward going live with sports betting applications before the end of 2021.

What’s Happening In Maryland?

Maryland originally hoped to go live with sports betting when the 2021 NFL season kicked off in September, but they have seen some delays in the process regarding the rules and regulations. Not to mention the public comment windows that are left open for Marylanders with each new draft, elongating the process.

However, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission (MLGC) approved what should be the permanent rules and regulations for the sports betting industry.

There will be a 30-day public comment period before operators can apply for licensure. In total, there will be 60 mobile sportsbooks, any gaming or professional sports venue can be licensed, as well as 30 small businesses throughout the state will be able to open sportsbooks.

Once the MLGC ensures that applicants have met all the requirements, the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) will then license operators to go live with sportsbooks, which should happen before the end of 2021.

From Kambi To FanDuel In Connecticut

The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut has switched sportsbook operators, opting to go with FanDuel over Kambi. This was a smart move on the part of the tribe as the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe is partnered with DraftKings, with each sportsbook often fighting for the number one spot in the United States.

Not only that, but FanDuel and DraftKings will now be able to offer DFS in Connecticut through the deals made with the tribes when becoming their official regulated sports betting operators.

Louisiana Now Has DFS

Louisiana has finally licensed a DFS platform, three years after regulating the market.

DraftKings became the first company to be able to offer DFS and are licensed to go live for Louisiana residents to use.

On top of that, the Louisiana sports betting industry is still working to be up and running before the time clock on 2021 runs out. The main reason for this is to be able to take action on NFL betting. The first sportsbooks to launch in Louisiana should be mobile applications as sports betting venues take longer to construct.

In Other Sports Betting Related News

WynnBET has signed former NFL WR Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson to become an ambassador for their sportsbook. Ochocinco has joined the growing number of famous professional athletes partnering with sports betting companies.

Caesars partnered with Prophet, a sports betting exchange company, that will be the second to roll out in New Jersey for a trial period during the NFL season. Should the sports gaming exchange become a popular way to wager on sporting events, these businesses and those like them will begin to branch out to other states in the U.S.

Olympic wagers are popping up quickly on sportsbooks for Olympic sports betting action. Tokyo 2020 will be held beginning on July 23 with all events being closed. There have been a few dozen cases of COVID-19 from personnel and athletes coming from other countries so far, which will be shifting the odds for the competitions.

DraftKings and FanDuel have each donated $10 million apiece to get a Florida initiative for sports betting in play. This initiative would put the topic of sports wagering on the November 2022 ballot and should it receive a majority vote, operators like these businesses could go live in the Sunshine State in 2023.

At the moment, the Seminole Tribe of Florida expects to go live with sports gaming platforms by the end of 2021. Should this initiative come to pass, that would obliterate the current market in the state that is already in motion.

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Christina Monroe

Christina has been writing for as long as she can remember and does dedicated research on the newly regulated sports betting market. She comes from a family of sports lovers that engage in friendly bets from time to time. During the winter months, you can find Christina baking cookies and beating the entire staff at Mario Kart…the N64 version of course.