Maryland: two more venues get key approval to offer in-person sports betting

Two Maryland facilities, The Riverboat on the Potomac and Long Shot’s in Frederick, won a key approval Wednesday to offer in-person sports betting in the state. The two existing restaurants, which currently offer lottery and off-track betting, were greenlit by the Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC).

Both properties must undergo a final round of technical reviews by state lottery officials before they can start accepting wagers. It will be well into the new year before the facilities can open their sportsbook operations, owners said. 

As reported by the Baltimore Sun, Tony Jones, an investor in the Riverboat on the Potomac, stated that, having signed with PointsBet to handle the sportsbook operations, the property expects to start taking bets no later than the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament, with the possibility of having a soft launch in time for the Super Bowl. 

As a 100% minority-owned business, the Riverboat thanked the state in an official statement “for recognizing the opportunity we have to influence change”. One of the reasons why the license-approval process was delayed in the state was the lack of diversity in the submitted applications.

Long Shot’s advertised its offering as comprising “betting, beer, BBQ” with 88 televisions broadcasting live horse racing. The property is located off of Interstate 270 in a hotel and event center complex.  

Owner Alyse Cohen said she plans to start offering sports wagering in Q1 2022, and she has long-term plans to renovate the space to upgrade the customer experience. 

Long Shot’s is believed to be the only 100% woman-owned facility designated for a sports gambling license in Maryland. On that subject, Cohen said: “I am thrilled to be a trailblazer for a diverse and successful sports betting industry in the state of Maryland”.

Even though these two properties will not take bets until next year, the MGM National Harbor casino launched its gambling operations Thursday. Friday will see Live! Casino & Hotel at Arundel Mills and Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore open its doors to bettors with Governor Larry Hogan’s presence at the three facilities. 

There are still dozens of licenses with licenses pending approval for in-person and online betting, with the latter still without a set launch date. 

When Maryland’s sports gambling industry is fully operational, it is expected to generate about $100 million in annual revenue, according to  a nonpartisan analysis. The state will levy a 15% tax, with the money largely dedicated to public education.