MD Gaming Commission OKs Sports Betting Regulations Draft

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission unanimously approved a draft of operational and licensing regulations for Maryland sportsbooks during a meeting held via teleconference Thursday.

The 228-page regulatory document spells out the specifics for how sports wagering will be conducted in the state.

The public will have an opportunity to submit comments regarding the draft regulations at a later date when the official 30-day public comment period begins. Public comments are not being accepted at this time. The beginning and end dates of the 30-day public comment period have not yet been determined, but will be published on the commission’s web page when they are available.

The voluminous regulations — which cover a myriad of topics from fees, to required equipment, to policies on voluntary and mandatory customer exclusion — were prepared by Lottery & Gaming staff and were written keeping in mind that many of the prospective applicants may not be accustomed to the level of scrutiny required when applying to enter the gaming industry. The draft regulations were posted Wednesday on the Lottery and Gaming Commission website.

In Maryland, sports wagering will have a unique look because the invitation to participate that’s written into its new sports gambling law is a first-of-its-kind in U.S. sports betting.

Dozens of retail sportsbook licenses are designated for businesses of all sizes, ranging from full-blown casinos to small businesses, such as OTBs, bingo halls and even sports bars, with an emphasis on minority- and women-equity participation. Layered on that, online/mobile licenses theoretically could also number in the dozens.

The route for all applicants will start with determining the qualification of applicants by the commission, then move on to a newly appointed Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (which will be eyeing minority and women participation) for licensing, and then back to the Lottery and Gaming Commission for final approval.

When is the Targeted Start Date?

The question most asked about Maryland sports gambling is: When will the betting begin?

Given the complexity of the process, the best estimate is that retail betting will come before online sports betting and it is reasonable to expect that business entities that have already undergone the state’s investigative scrutiny for gambling licenses and also have the appropriate technology and personnel on hand — such as some of the state’s six casinos — are most likely to take the first bets.

In fact, Live! Casino & Hotel in Anne Arundel County has a multi-million dollar FanDuel-branded sports bar/future sportsbook ready to go as soon as it gets a license.

The first retail sports betting may occur at some point during the fall to take advantage of NFL betting. A former executive for the state Lottery & Gaming agency said shortly after the law was passed earlier this year that online/mobile is not likely to occur until sometime next year.