Five Maryland casinos approved for sports betting
The state’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission has approved licences for five casinos.
US.- The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) has approved sports wagering licenses for five Maryland casinos. In a 5-2 vote, the state committee approved licenses for the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, Live! Casino and Hotel in Hanover, MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Hollywood Casino in Perryville and Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin.
Several procedural steps are still needed before the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Commission can formally issue the licences.
Last week, the Horseshoe Baltimore, Live! Casino, and MGM National Harbor had asked the state to hurry things along so they could get their sportsbooks up and running during the NFL season. In a joint letter, they suggested the SWARC was failing to follow the process outlined by the legislature after it announced a delay in the approval of the pending licences.
The casinos are among 17 gambling venues that were offered the first opportunity to apply for Maryland’s in-person sports betting licenses, along with off-track betting facilities, bingo halls, and racetracks. In October, their licences were approved by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency but needed final approval from the SWARC.
Eventually, the state will open up an application process for up to 30 additional in-person betting licences and up to 60 licences for mobile betting apps.
