Washington Commanders seeks betting license in Maryland
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency have accepted The Washington Commanders’ original application for a license to operate as a MD sports betting establishment.
Additionally, the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Commission has authorized three retail sportsbook applications. These include an A-1 facility license for Maryland Stadium Sub, LLC, which is effectively FedEx Field, the stadium where the NFL Washington Commanders play in Landover.
If the Commanders get a license from the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission, they will have a sportsbook at FedEx Field (SWARC). During the MLGCA meeting, Commanders owner Daniel Snyder remarked that it is another potential improvement for the institution.
Interesting remarks from Commanders owner Dan Snyder broke up the commission meeting. He made the call while in the air, expressed gratitude, and mentioned FedEx Field’s renovations. Snyder was upbeat about the next campaign, saying, “We now have ourselves a quarterback.”
Carson Wentz, who earlier played for Philadelphia and Indianapolis, is the Commanders’ new quarterback.
As per the reports of the last week, Maryland Stadium Sub, LLC submitted an application to the state of Maryland for a permit to conduct retail sports betting. Although they have become lawful, Maryland’s online sportsbooks have not yet begun operations.
So, they might even have a franchise quarterback for the season at this point, which is certainly good news.
Owner Dan Snyder is embroiled in controversy
With claims coming in of a hazardous workplace atmosphere, particularly for women, Snyder has come under fire. In its investigation of the Commanders and Snyder, the Lottery & Gaming Control Agency mentioned that when interviewing the team owner, they kept the concerns in mind.
The agency’s personnel “was not able to verify any of the accusations against Mr. Snyder,” according to the agency’s findings. Furthermore, no law enforcement agency, government agency, or other government institution is currently looking into Mr. Snyder for any illegal problems.
Furthermore, Snyder and the Commanders’ ongoing gaming license status in Virginia, where they have a partnership with FanDuel Sportsbook in Maryland for mobile sports betting, was also put forth by the Maryland agency.
The Commission Approves Two More
Lottery & Gaming Commission also provides approval for two additional facilities. It issued a B-2 license to Chesapeake Gaming LLC of Boonsboro, Maryland. This is a company that manages a facility for off-track betting (OTB) in addition to other facilities.
The UK-based bookmaker Betfred, received approval from the LGCCC. This was for an operator’s license for a sports gambling facility. Betfred Maryland, recently announced a partnership with Long Shot’s, an OTB in Frederick, Maryland, which has already been granted a facility license.
The approvals show that applicants have completed the requirements for a license. However, the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission, which meets again on August 17, “awards” the licenses.
The Lottery & Gaming Control Commission meeting did not address Maryland sportsbook apps online. Despite the fact that Maryland presently has six retail sportsbooks accepting bets, mobile sports betting in Maryland has advanced slowly.
This is because the SWARC is essential to abide by the sports wagering legislation’s aim. And also to firmly encourage minority- and women-owner participation in the industry.
Due to this, developing SWARC rules and license applications has been difficult. Recently, the SWARC made an effort to simplify the procedure by removing terminology from its laws that were racially and gender-specific. However, a differential study that has been in the process for months, has been a crucial guide in developing an application procedure. The outside consultants and the State Attorney General’s Office conducted this study.
Lowest Sports Betting Handle in Maryland to Date
As per the reports, the six retail locations operating in Maryland—five at casinos and one newly opened at Bingo World in Brooklyn Park— had around $15.5 million in sports betting handle. This is the lowest monthly total since the state began accepting sports bets on December 9, 2021.
Harold Hodges, the commissioner for lottery and gaming, cast the lone “no” vote in each case, though it was unclear why. When Hodges was questioned in public regarding Betfred’s finances, it was pointed out that some of those facts were in secret documents provided to the commissioners.
The Commanders’ offices are in Ashburn, Virginia, despite the fact that their stadium is in Prince George’s County, Maryland. This is why they have a relationship with FanDuel Sportsbook there.
Sports Betting may begin at FedExField
Following a test run and approval from MLG personnel, sports betting operations may then start at FedExField under its subsidiary, Maryland Stadium Sub.
BetFanatics Sportsbook Maryland, which has been granted a retail sport betting operator license in the state, has been mentioned as a potential partner of the Commanders. However, still, the stadium’s retail sportsbook partner is yet to be revealed. In contrast, FanDuel collaborates with the Commanders in Virginia via the Virginia Lottery. The Live! Casino and Hotel in Hanover, Maryland also has it as a retail partner.
One of the 17 retail sports betting sites included in Maryland’s sports betting statute for 2021 is FedExField. Also, FedExField will be the first stadium in the state to receive a retail sports betting license, but only if the retail license is permissible by SWARC and granted by MLG.
Conclusion
Regardless of their connection to any land-based gaming establishments, the SWARC has the power to grant mobile licenses to up to 60 businesses. The commission will however take into account the various aspects, including the ownership holdings of women, minorities, and small businesses in any candidate along with financial stability, criminal background checks, and so on.
Despite no deadline being made public, the SWARC has now started the sportsbook application procedure after numerous delays. It is still too early to say whether or not a mobile launch will be ready for the upcoming football betting season, but gaming industry participants are hoping for one.
Also, the longest turnaround of any of the more than 20 states that allow online gambling is Maryland. However, it might take as long as two years from the passage of the legislation to the first mobile wager.
