The online Maryland sports betting ecosystem gained another two qualified operators last week.
On Thursday, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission found WynnBet and Bally’s Interactive qualified for a mobile sports betting in Maryland. Along with their license qualifications, the MLGCC approved the pair of companies as online sports betting operators.
The two license applicants will now head to the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission, which is scheduled to meet Dec. 14. Online sports betting launched in Maryland Nov. 23.
Path for MD sportsbooks
Unlike the first 10 online sports betting licenses approved last month, these two are not tied to entities named in MD sports betting legislation. They are qualified for two of the up to 60 available mobile sports betting licenses.
The SWARC must award the operators a license. Then WynnBet and Bally Bet must pass controlled demonstrations with regulators before launching, a standard step for new launches.
The two operators are already working with Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff to expedite the process, according to a release from the agency.
First Maryland sports betting operators
The SWARC approved the first 10 online licenses Nov. 16. Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff then issued seven licenses in time for the Nov. 23 launch goal.
The first seven operators in Maryland were:
- Barstool Sportsbook
- BetMGM
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- PointsBet
There are another three licenses waiting until next year to start taking bets:
- Betfred
- BetParx
- Fanatics
Strong start in Maryland
GeoComply tracked 16.5 million sports betting transactions in Maryland from Nov. 23 to Nov. 27. That was nearly as many as the more mature sports betting market of New Jersey, which had 17.1 million transactions.
The figures from the first week of online sports betting will be released Dec. 12. Retail sportsbooks in Maryland, which started to open in December 2021, have taken $280 million in wagers.
The online launch in the Old Line State was more than two years after voters approved sports betting in November 2020.
