The Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) voted to award mobile sports wagering licenses to 10 businesses during a meeting held Wednesday, November 16:
• Arundel Amusements (Bingo World)
• BetMGM Maryland Sports LLC
• Crown MD Online Gaming LLC (DraftKings)
• CZR Maryland Mobile Opportunity LLC (Horseshoe Casino Baltimore)
• Greenmount OTB LLC
• Long Shot’s LLC
• Maryland Stadium Sub LLC (Washington Commanders)
• PENN Maryland OSB LLC (Hollywood Casino Perryville)
• PPE Maryland Mobile LLC (Live! Casino and Hotel)
• Riverboat on the Potomac LLC
SWARC’s awards do not allow the licensees to immediately begin taking wagers. Each business is working with Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff to complete operational requirements before Maryland Lottery and Gaming gives approval to launch. The last step for each applicant is the successful completion of a controlled demonstration of its systems and procedures, which involves live wagering by customers at specific dates and times approved by Maryland Lottery and Gaming. Information on the timing of controlled demonstrations will be provided by the licensees.
Under Maryland’s sports wagering law, SWARC is authorized to conduct a competitive process to award up to 60 mobile licenses and up to 30 Class B facility licenses. A 45-day application period ended on October 21, 2022 during which SWARC received 21 mobile applications and six Class B facility applications.
Applicants must be found qualified via Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) background investigations before SWARC is permitted to consider them for license awards. The 10 businesses that were awarded licenses today were found qualified by MLGCC on October 27.
On a rolling basis, there will be additional MLGCC qualification hearings and SWARC license award meetings. The dates of these meetings will be announced as MLGCC and SWARC are prepared to conduct them. MLGCC performs background investigations of applicants to determine if they demonstrate the integrity and financial stability to be qualified for a sports wagering license. SWARC evaluates the suitability of applicants, reviews their business and marketing plans, and determines whether awarding a license to an applicant is in the public interest.
— SWARC press release
Photo by Courtney Clayton on Unsplash