Maryland Mobile Sportsbooks Launch Sees Movement From SWARC

• Maryland mobile betting is progressing as the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) approves draft regulations.
• The final approval for these regulations is likely to happen in the coming weeks.
• Maryland Governor Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. is aiming for apps to be live in time for the 2022-2023 NFL season.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland could see regulated mobile sportsbooks launch this year as the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) approved draft regulations.

Members of SWARC had preliminary review of the rules surrounding betting applications before Wednesday’s meeting. This allowed members to quickly vote in favor of the drafts.

It will likely take a few weeks before final approvals of the regulations are set. Governor Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. has been vocal about wanting mobile apps live. His goal is to have the active market in time for the forthcoming NFL season.

SWARC Makes Progress

Sports betting has been regulated in Maryland since November 2020 with the first retail operation going live in December 2021. The one thing Marylanders have been waiting on is mobile apps.

SWARC has been criticized by many experts and Maryland officials for their slow movement on launching these apps. It appears that Gov. Hogan’s criticism has led to some action with the passing of the draft regulations.

“I write to you today to urge the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission to act immediately so that mobile sports wagering can begin in the State of Maryland before the start of the National Football League (NFL) regular season on September 8, 2022,” said Hogan. “To make that target date achievable, it is imperative that you immediately accelerate and intensify your efforts.”

The passing of the drafts is a step in the right direction for the mobile betting market in Maryland. The drafts are a preset of what could become the official rules.

On the agenda a major focus has been to include minority and female businesses who are aiming for betting licenses. This has been cited by SWARC as one of the reasons for the long holdup on regulations.

“A lot of efforts have been made to measure twice and cut once,” said Tom Brandt, chair of the Sports Wagering and Application Review Commission. “We’ve measured more than twice.”

Whenever the market does go live, it is expected to be a major one. Maryland is home to popular sports franchises in the Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles as well as being close proximity to the Washington Commanders.

With such a strong sports culture, the betting market will easily thrive with the addition of mobile betting apps.

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