Maryland Sports Betting Expected to Launch in Fall 2021
- Maryland sports betting officials are anticipating a late autumn 2021 launch
- Sportsbooks have started applying for retail and online wagering licenses
- Catch up with all the latest details as MD sports bettors wait to hear about an official go-live date
State regulators for Maryland sports betting have confirmed they’re working towards a launch date sometime in late fall of 2021. The official go-live date is yet to be determined, however, they’re confident retail and online sports betting will be available in the coming months. These Maryland sportsbook promos are also live for the first 7 sportsbooks to go live in MD.
With six major sportsbooks already applying for market access, Maryland promises to be an electric sports betting scene.
State Officials Preparing for Go-Live Date in Late Autumn
Maryland sports betting regulators are currently in the early stages of the licensing process with up to 17 wagering outlets. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency is working with the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) to complete background check investigations before operator’s licenses are awarded.
Maryland opened an eLicensing platform to 17 entities that were named in Maryland’s sports wagering law. The businesses will have to submit applications to the eLicensing platform for their background checks before sports betting licenses can be awarded.
— RLinnehanXL (@RLinnehanXl) September 14, 2021
The 17 applicants are a combination of local stadiums, casinos, and other venues that will establish retail sports betting locations across the state along with mobile wagering options. The platforms included on this initial list will likely be the first to launch in the state, and Maryland is expected to license up to 60 online betting sites once wagering has launched.
This licensing process is expected to be completed in the coming months, and Maryland state officials are hoping to get sports betting online while the NFL season is rolling along.
Six Major Sportsbooks Have Applied for Maryland Sports Betting Licenses
Six of the 17 applicants vying for early market access are associated with premier betting sites. Some of the local Maryland casinos applying are owned by major sportsbooks, while others have already partnered with wagering platforms to bolster their applications.
The six sportsbooks involved in the ongoing licensing process include:
- FanDuel (Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland)
- Barstool Sportsbook (Penn National Gaming and the Hollywood Casino Perryville)
- BetMGM (MGM National Harbor)
- Caesars Sportsbook (Horseshoe Casino Baltimore)
- TwinSpires (Churchill Downs and Ocean Downs Casino)
- PointsBet (Riverboat on the Potomac)
These sportsbooks will establish retail locations at the associated venues, while their acclaimed betting sites and mobile apps will be available across the state of Maryland. The operators listed above are expected to be among the first 17 sports betting entities that will launch in Maryland later this year.
17 MD Sportsbook Apps to Launch On Day One?
There’s a chance that a whopping 17 sportsbooks go online at the same time when Maryland sports betting launches.
Coming out of Maryland’s Lottery and Gaming Commission meeting, PointsBet has requested the 17 entities named in the states sports betting bill be eligible to all launch in-person sports betting on the same date, similar to Arizona’s launch.
— RLinnehanXL (@RLinnehanXl) September 22, 2021
PointsBet is lobbying the Sports Wagering Application Review Committee establish a single launch date for all eligible betting sites. Other states often let individual sportsbooks launch on their own timeline, however, PointsBet is concerned this creates an unfair advantage for the betting apps that get started earliest.
The first day of Maryland sports betting would be even more exciting with 17 sportsbooks coordinated under a synchronized launch.
Old Line State Set to Become a Huge Wagering Market
With local teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles centered in a state that has just over 6 million residents, Maryland could emerge as one of the hottest sports betting markets in the country.
Flock Nation 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6yP9QQZq5K
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 21, 2021
Washington DC is just 45 minutes from the Old Line State, and many Maryland sports bettors are eager to wager on other nearby teams like the Washington Wizards and Washington Football Team. Researching local teams is one of the best ways to find an inside edge over the sportsbooks, and Maryland fans are lucky to have so many options.
While sports betting wasn’t ready for the kickoff of the 2021 NFL season, fans shouldn’t have to wait much longer before wagering takes off in Maryland.
See a list of the top Maryland sportsbooks below.
A sports fanatic and strategic wordsmith, Mitchell has been writing gaming content for over seven years. As sports betting emerges in markets across the globe, he’s ready to journey alongside those who haven’t wagered before with informative articles and comprehensive how-to guides.
