Legal Sports Betting Now Live in Maryland
On December 9th, Maryland officially opened its regulated sports wagering market. It marked the occasion by having state Governor Larry Hogan place the first legal bet at the MGM National Harbor’s retail sportsbook. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) issued five sports betting licenses to land-based casinos last month.
Maryland officially launched its regulated sports wagering market on December 9th, 2021, with Governor Larry Hogan placing the state’s first legal bet at the MGM National Harbor’s retail sportsbook. ©12019/Pixabay
MGM National Harbor First Site to Open Retail Sportsbook in Maryland
On December 9th, 2021, Maryland finally launched its legal regulated sports betting market in the state, celebrating the occasion with state Governor Larry Hogan placing the first legal bet at the retail sportsbook located within the MGM National Harbor complex.
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission’s (MLGCC) Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) issued five sports betting licenses to land-based casinos last month. The goal here was to take the state’s first legal bets within two months.
The five land-based casinos which received sports betting licenses from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission were Penn National’s Hollywood Casino in Perryville, Caesars Entertainment’s Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, Cordish Companies’ Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill and Churchill Downs’ Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin.
The five casinos had been previously approved to receive licenses by the MLGCC earlier this year. MGM’s National Harbor site was the first in the state to open a licensed retail sportsbook. Maryland state Governor Hogan marked the occasion by placing the state’s first legal bet on the Washington Football Team to face the Baltimore Ravens in the upcoming 2022 Super Bowl.
Launch of Sports Betting in MD is Culmination of Year-Long Effort
Speaking on the occasion of the official launch of legal sports betting in Maryland, state Governor Larry Hogan remarked that the celebration was the culmination of more than a years’ worth of effort to get the market up and running in the state:
“Today marks the culmination of more than a year of effort to get sports betting up and running here in the State of Maryland. In addition to allowing Marylanders to bet on football, basketball, and more, sports betting will also help to keep more dollars in-state and will provide another critical revenue source for public education without raising taxes on families and small businesses.”– Larry Hogan, Governor, State of Maryland
BetMGM’s National Harbor site proudly boasts the 8,000 square foot BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge, showcasing seven betting windows, 15 betting kiosks, stadium-style seating and video walls for customers to view live sports events.
Chief executive of BetMGM Adam Greenblatt explained that the BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge is central to turning the Washington, D.C. capital region into one of the nation’s most significant sports betting locations:
“The BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge at MGM National Harbor is a key component to making the capital region one of the country’s premier sports betting hubs. In partnership with the MGM National Harbor team, we’ve designed a world-class destination for sports fans.”– Adam Greenblatt, Chief Executive, BetMGM
Penn National Acquired Hollywood Casino Perryville in June 2021
Another major sportsbook operator making inroads into the Maryland betting market is Penn National Gaming, which acquired the Hollywood Casino Perryville location in June 2021 after receiving the necessary approval from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.
The deal was first brokered by the operator back in December 2020 and is worth upwards of $31.1 million. Penn National will also take over the property’s lease from Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI), likely done in order for the operator to control all real estate assets connected to the casino’s facility.
Jay Snowden, president and CEO of Penn National Gaming, thanked the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission for approving the operator, claiming it looked forward to working with a property it already has experience with:
“I want to thank the Commission and their staff for their time and effort in reviewing and approving our Company’s license to operate Hollywood Casino Perryville. We are thrilled to be re-entering the Maryland market at a property we developed in 2010 as it will add a twentieth gaming jurisdiction to our already leading nationwide footprint.”
BetMGM Partnered Together with Comedian Bill Burr in October
World-renowned casino operator BetMGM, operator of the National Harbor site at which Maryland’s first legal bet was cast on December 9th, announced in October 2021 that it had secured a partnership deal together with the highly popular standup comedian and actor Bill Burr.
As part of the deal, BetMGM will integrate its sportsbook data and promotional offers into Burr’s All Things Comedy-produced podcasts, as well as Burr’s Monday Morning Podcast, YouTube channel, and his Anything Better show, which he hosts together with stand-up comedian Paul Virzi.
Chief revenue officer of BetMGM Matt Prevost stressed the brand’s excitement to be working with Burr: “Bill Burr has one of the funniest, most distinctive and outspoken voices in comedy. We look forward to seeing BetMGM content incorporated into his Podcast and broader social channels.”
