The reason for the significant delay in launching online Maryland sports betting appears to be all for naught.
Thomas Brandt, the chairman of the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission, sent a letter to the General Assembly‘s regulatory review committee urging them to take action on MD sports betting regulations that were submitted July 22. The SWARC has worked for more than a year on the regulations and applications for competitive sports betting licenses in Maryland.
The SWARC also has waited for the results of a disparity study to determine if it needs to make extra efforts to include minority- and women-owned businesses in the sports betting industry. The study finished August 19 and concluded “SWARC is not able to apply any race- and/or gender-conscious criteria in its evaluation of applicants.”
Maryland online sports betting during football season?
Brandt’s letter asks the legislative review committee to approve emergency regulations. Once approved, the SWARC can begin the application process for the 60 competitive mobile licenses.