Maryland mobile sports betting could be set to launch before the end of this year, despite many speculating that a 2023 launch would be more realistic.
Yesterday, a meeting was held between the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC), in which it was revealed that the organization could award licenses on a rolling basis.
This would, in essence, circumnavigate the requirement for a universal launch date for mobile sports betting, instead allowing operators to launch immediately upon a successful licensing application.
Jim Nielsen, COO of Maryland Lottery and Gaming, noted in the meeting that, should the committee receive fewer than the 60 permitted license applications, there are no barriers to awarding licenses on a rolling basis.
Maryland’s SWARC recently opened its license application window for mobile and facility operators, meaning the process is well underway and sports betting could launch before the turn of the year – a positive development considering the previous expectations were closer to the 2023 Super Bowl.
The deadline for businesses to apply for a license is October 21 and the SWARC has previously notified that the application could take up to 45 days.
Subsequently, it will be December 5 by the time that all successful applicants will be disclosed; under Maryland law, no applicants can be named until they are successful.
As aforementioned, if there are fewer than 60 applicants, then the rolling process means that applicants could be successful before the December 5 date, meaning that mobile sports betting could reach Maryland sooner than many had predicted just a few weeks ago.
Retail sports betting has been operational in the Old Line State since December last year, with Barstool Sportsbook, Caesars Sports, FanDuel, BetMGM and TwinSpires all going live with brick-and-mortar casinos.
