The state of Maryland has officially launched its regulated sports wagering market after Governor Larry Hogan placed the initial legal wager at MGM National Harbor.
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission’s (MLGCC) Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) previously granted five sports betting licenses to brick and mortar casinos, with the objective of taking the first legal wager within a two month time frame.
Penn National’s Hollywood Casino in Perryville, Cordish Companies’ Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, Caesars Entertainment’s Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore and the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, and Churchill Downs’ Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin have already received licenses.
The MGM National Harbor was the original site to launch its licensed retail sportsbook, with Governor Hogan labeling the opportunity by placing the state’s initial bet on the Washington Football Team to compete against the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl in 2022.
BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge stretches over 8,000 square feet of space and features 7 betting windows, 15 betting kiosks, stadium-inspired seating, and video walls for players to watch live sports events.
Commenting on the new milestone, Governor Hogan said:
“Today marks the culmination of more than a year of effort to get sports betting up and running here in the State of Maryland. In addition to allowing Marylanders to bet on football, basketball, and more, sports betting will also help to keep more dollars in-state and will provide another critical revenue source for public education without raising taxes on families and small businesses.”
BetMGM chief executive Adam Greenblatt says that BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge at MGM National Harbor is the most important component to making the capital region one of the leading sports betting hubs. In cooperation with the MGM National Harbor team, they have built a world-class place for sports fans.
What Else Was Announced?
Only recently, The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission’s (MLGCC) announced that PointsBet has also met conditions for a sports betting operator license. The company in June closed a deal with the Riverboat Group’s Riverboat on-the-Potomac venue in Maryland to get market entry in the state.
The MLGCC selected PointsBet as a qualified operator as it already owns sports betting licenses from a minimum of three other states with norms similar to those in Maryland. The Commission unveiled that a licensing investigation is going to be organized regarding the PointsBet and its license.
MLGCC director John Martin said:
“Licensing investigations are quite extensive, so we’re continuously communicating with applicants to guide them through the process.”
Source:
“Maryland launches legal retail sports betting”, igbnorthamerica.com, December 10, 2021.
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