The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCA) has recommended sports betting license approval for Hollywood Casino in Perryville and Oceans Down Casino in Berlin.
The pair join MGM National Harbor, Live! Casino & Hotel and Horseshoe Baltimore Casino in the waiting lobby for final approval from the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC).
Last week the SWARC postponed a meeting where it was scheduled to vote on applications from MGM, Live! and Horseshoe. Recommendation from the MLGCA is a prerequisite for approval from the SWARC.
On Thursday, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan publicly doubled down on an urgent licensing process for the brick-and-mortar casinos, which are seeking approval for retail sportsbooks.
“No one is pushing harder than I am to get sports betting up and running here in the State of Maryland,” Hogan said. “Our administration has now cleared five licenses for sports betting, implementing the referendum approved by voters and the law passed by the General Assembly.”
“With Marylanders looking forward to betting on the NFL and March Madness, we now expect the legislature’s Sports Wagering Applicant Review Commission to swiftly approve these licenses.”
Maryland casinos have already missed out on the first third of the 2021 NFL season.
The operators partnering with casinos will have to apply separately for mobile sports betting licenses. Maryland could allot up to 60 mobile sports betting licenses in total.
Last month, MLGCA Director Josh Martin told WTOP News that mobile licensing is still a ways off.
“We’re probably well into the first part of calendar year 2022 before we’ll even begin to look at where those potential mobile licenses may be,” Martin said.
