Maryland Finally Starts Tendering Process for Mobile Sportsbook Licenses

After a protracted period of debate and mobilisation, Maryland’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC), will accept licensing applications for its fledgling sportsbook marketplace. Despite the legalization of retail and online sports betting last year, until Wednesday this week, SWARC had failed to establish an application tendering process.

The delay invited criticism from a number of quarters, no less from Governor Larry Hogan, who called for the organization to ‘immediately accelerate and intensify’ its efforts. Throughout the summer, SWARC eventually managed to compile a set of regulations for the application campaign and is now in a position to vet prospective candidates. The rules of engagement were added to the Maryland register on 26^th August, with SWARC available to take general comment on these for a month. All comments will be published on the Commission’s website when this period elapses, on 26^th September. There will also be a SWARC-hosted meeting at the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Headquarters, whereby attendees will be afforded the opportunity to provide feedback on any element of the application procedure.

Residents of the Old-Line State voted to legalize sports betting way back in November 2020, when the issue was taken to the ballot box via a state referendum. Although SWARC have dragged their heels when it comes to mobile betting, Maryland’s retail bookmarkers have been active for the last nine months. It’s believed the addition of online sportsbooks will enable the state to reach betting handle figures of circa $3bn per annum.