Even Maryland's Sports Wagering Application Review Commission is growing tired of the wait for a legalized mobile sports betting launch. SWARC Chairman Thomas Brandt sent the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review a letter Friday urging the group to work swiftly to approve the SWARC's emergency regulations.'
Approval from the AELR is critical for the SWARC to move forward with the process of awarding mobile sports betting licenses. The SWARC sent emergency regulations to the AELR over a month ago.'
“SWARC approved its proposed regulations last month and submitted them for consideration by AELR on July 22, 2022,” Brandt said in his letter. “Without AELR's approval, SWARC is not able to fully and properly build Maryland's sports wagering program, including mobile wagering, which is central to the program's success. We have been advised that SWARC must wait for AELR's approval of our emergency regulations before we can begin accepting applications.”
Disparity analysis key reason for delay
The SWARC is completing an industry analysis designed to see what race- and gender-conscious measures the organization can legally impose on the state's sports betting market. According to Brandt, he believes the AELR may be waiting for those results before approving the regulations, as the disparity analysis results could lead to changes.'