Maryland Online Sportsbooks May Launch Earlier Than You Expect

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Sep 25, 2022 Reading time: 2 minutes

Updated: Feb 15, 2023

Maryland online sportsbooks may launch earlier than you expect! The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission unanimously approved rolling approval of online licenses, which means that the first sportsbook in the state could be up and running within days.

This is great news for Maryland residents who love to bet on sports! Keep an eye out for more information about which sportsbooks will be opening up in the state. In the meantime, NFL wagers can be placed on six retail sportsbooks in the state.

Online Sports Betting License Application

After having a slow start in the process of regulating online sports betting in Maryland, the regulators have shown positive signs that online sportsbooks may launch before the end of 2022.

After SWARC Chairman requested approval from the Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR), and got the Industry Analysis from Dr. Jon Wainwright, the online sports betting license application period was opened.

Maryland regulators also announced that the extension of the deadline is not possible as it will require approval from SWARC and they want to make sure that the online wagering market will launch as early as possible.

However, in the recent meeting, SWARC unanimously approved that online sportsbooks may start accepting bets as soon as the full licensing approval is obtained. This is in contrast with the usual way of online sports betting that gives a universal launch date just like in Ohio which is set at January 1, 2023.

This boosted the chance that online sportsbooks will be up and running before the end of 2022, as they don’t have to wait until all of the licenses have been granted or wait for a specific launch date.

The Long Wait May Be Finally Over

It’s been a long time coming, but online sports betting will soon be available in the Old Line state. After years of waiting and a long bureaucratic process, the state legislature passed a bill authorizing sports wagering in November 2020. The bill was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan on May 2021, clearing the way for sportsbooks to open their doors to Maryland residents.

MD retail sportsbooks launch on December 2021 while online sports betting is in the last phases of the regulatory process before launch. While there are still some regulatory hurdles to clear, it’s expected that it will be up and running in the state later this year.

Maryland residents who have been waiting patiently for sports betting to become legal can finally start placing their bets.

In the meantime, Marylanders can wager on sports through the land-based retail sportsbooks which include: