Bally’s Interactive and WynnBet mobile sportsbooks could soon be up and running in Maryland after receiving preliminary approval from state regulators today.
The sportsbooks were green-lighted by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission this morning to proceed through the mobile sports betting licensing process. By Dec. 14, both sportsbooks are expected to go before the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission for licensing approval. Licenses may be issued by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission after all licensing requirements — including a test run of mobile betting operations — are met.
No potential launch date has been set for either app.
Bally’s now operates online sports betting in 18 states. WynnBet is live in 11 states, with licensing pending in three more, including Maryland. Both sportsbooks are among 21 companies that made an Oct. 21 deadline to apply for up to 60 mobile sports betting licenses available under Maryland law. The first mobile sportsbooks launched in Maryland on Nov. 23. Three others have been approved by SWARC and are expected to launch soon.
MLG Director John Martin said in a Nov. 22 press conference with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan that all 21 mobile applicants could be live sometime in 2023.
According to Martin, “We anticipate that in late spring, early summer of 2023, prior to the kick-off of the next football season, the Maryland market will include up to 21 mobile entries and 15 and 20 facility licenses.”
Seven Mobile Sportsbooks Now Live in Maryland, More on the Way
Bally’s and WynnBet are among 11 mobile sports betting license applicants that are now being vetted for licensing by MLG, the agency reported Nov. 22. The 11 sportsbooks are among a total of 21 applicants that have competed or are now competing for a mobile sportsbook license in Maryland. Seven mobile sportsbooks launched on Nov. 23; three others have been approved by SWARC but have yet to be cleared for launch.
The seven mobile sportsbooks now live in Maryland are:
- Barstool Sportsbook (operator for PENN Maryland/Hollywood Casino in Perryville)
- BetMGM (operator for BetMGM Maryland Sports/MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill)
- BetRivers (operator for Arundel Amusements/Bingo World in Brooklyn Park)
- Caesars Sportsbook (operator for CZR Maryland Mobile Opportunity/Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore)
- DraftKings (Crown MD Online Gaming)
- FanDuel (operator for PPE Maryland Mobile/Live! Casino and Hotel in Hanover)
- PointsBet (operator for Riverboat on the Potomac in Charles County)
The three other sportsbooks approved by SWARC are expected to launch soon, pending the successful completion of their “controlled demonstrations” or test runs. Those sportsbooks are listed below. No launch date for any of the three has been announced:
- Betfred (operator for Long Shot’s in Frederick)
- BetParx (operator for Greenmount Station in Hampstead)
- Fanatics (operator for Maryland Stadium Sub/Washington Commanders in Landover)
MLG’s Martin said in a Nov. 14 press release that the agency is working with all SWARC-approved applicants to get them through their controlled demonstrations and, potentially, on the market.
“Our staff has been in continuous contact with these mobile sports wagering businesses, and has already guided them through many of the necessary steps,” said Martin. “The last hurdle is for them to have controlled demonstrations.”
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