The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission gave initial approval for three retail sports betting facility licenses Wednesday morning, including one for a sportsbook at FedEx Field, home of the NFL's Washington Commanders.'
Betfred, which will operate a retail sportsbook at Long Shot's in Frederick, and Chesapeake Gaming, which plans to operate a retail sportsbook at the Boonsboro Events Center off-track betting facility, were the other two entities to receive initial licensing approval.'
The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) still needs to award licenses to the three entities before they can go through final facility checks with the lottery. Once those two steps are completed, the locations are allowed to launch their retail sportsbooks.'''
The retail facility license for FedEx Field and the Commanders came with the slightest bit of controversy Wednesday.