When will legal mobile sportsbooks go live in Maryland? That's the question every sports bettor in the state wants to know the answer to, and the Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission shared some insights into a possible launch date at its Thursday meeting.
The commission plans to evaluate applicants for mobile sports betting licenses on a rolling basis once the application window closes on Oct. 21, assuming there are fewer than 60 applicants. Maryland legislation allows for up to 60 mobile licenses, so if there are fewer than 60 applicants, the SWARC can evaluate and award licenses on a rolling basis without worrying that the process will unfairly keep an applicant from receiving a license. The commission doesn't expect to receive 60 applicants, so it’s highly likely the applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis.'
By awarding licenses in that manner, the SWARC can accelerate the timeline for mobile sportsbooks to launch in Maryland.
November launch?
Theoretically, it shouldn't take the SWARC long after the application window closes to approve certain mobile applicants. For example, Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel, and PointsBet all have retail sportsbooks in Maryland. Those applicants have been vetted by the SWARC and Maryland Lottery for those retail operations, which should make the process of awarding those operators mobile licenses straightforward.'