Maryland Yet Again Delays Issuing Sports Betting Licenses

• The Maryland Sports Wagering Applicant Review Commission delayed the vote to issue sports betting licenses in Maryland.
• The commission intended to award five Maryland casinos with sports betting licenses but ended the meeting without discussing sports betting.
• The next meeting date has been set for November 18.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The launch of the sports betting market in Maryland is yet again delayed following the Sports Wagering Applicant Review Commission not issuing any sports betting licenses.

The commission plans to issue five betting licenses to Maryland Casinos but ended their meeting without awarding any. The commission stated they need more information.

This launch of regulated Maryland sports betting has been delayed multiple times despite Governor Larry Hogan urging them to expedite the process.

Maryland Bettors Still Waiting

The commission met for more than two hours and then stated they needed more information from potential operators. The commission wants each potential operator to provide supplemental ownership information.

The new date set for the next meeting is November 18. The commission will then again attempt to grant the five sports betting licenses to local Maryland Casinos.

“I usually manage meetings better than these but I’ve done my best … This has been challenging,” said  Thomas Brandt, chair of the commission.

The casino operators that are looking for sports betting licenses are Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore City, Ocean Downs Casino in Worcester, Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland in Anne Arundel, Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil, and MGM National Harbor in Prince George’s.

All five of these potential operators were cleared by the Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Control Agency who regulates sports betting.

When Will Sports Betting Launch?

Because of the constant delays, the legal sports betting market won’t launch until 2022. The goal was initially to be live during the 2021 NFL regular season, but the sluggish pace at which the commission has been moving makes this seem unlikely.

Maryland could see sports betting go live in time for Super Bowl 56 barring any more delays. If the market does issue betting licenses on November 18, launching ahead of the Super Bowl would be the most likely outcome.

“With Marylanders looking forward to betting on the NFL and March Madness, we now expect the legislature’s Sports Wagering Applicant Review Commission to swiftly approve these licenses,” said Hogan.

For now, local bettors will have to continue waiting for their regulated market. Hopefully, betting licenses can be issued on November 18.

News tags: Annapolis | Hollywood Casino Perryville | Horseshoe Casino | Larry Hogan | Live! Casino Hotel Maryland | Maryland | Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Control Agency | MGM National Harbor | Ocean Downs Casino | Sports Wagering Applicant Review Commission | Thomas Brandt