When you sign-up through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more >

Maryland Gaming Director “Optimistic” Mobile Sports Betting Will Launch in 2022

Written by: Mike Lukas
Updated October 14, 2022
10 min read
  • MD Gaming Control Agency Director John Martin Expects a Mobile 2022 Launch
  • State Review Commission Reviewing Applications for Mobile Licenses
  • Since Retail Sports Betting has Been Legal, MD has Collected $3.7M in Tax Revenue
Maryland Mobile Sports Betting Will Launch 2022

MD Gaming Control Agency Director John Martin Expects a Mobile 2022 Launch

After a slow retail sports betting summer in Maryland, the director of the state’s Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) John Martin has told the press he expects some form of mobile sports betting to launch there before the end of the year, saying earlier this week:

I’m optimistic today that we can get someone up and running before the end of the calendar year, if not more. There will be some carryover, sure, that’s what we’ve seen with brick and mortar. Some take longer than others but that’s not because we’re not working on it. I think we’ll get some up and running, then more before the Super Bowl, then more before March Madness.

Great news for Maryland gamblers who have been waiting for what feels like forever for state regulators to move forward with launching a mobile market for residents, a solid addition to the in-person market that was made legal first since not every bettor lives close to a retail location.

Sports betting in Maryland was made legal by state voters in November 2020 and thanks to the hard work done by the members of the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) the retail market launched over a year later in December 2021.

Now that same commission is working on launching the mobile option next.

State Review Commission Reviewing Applications for Mobile Licenses

In Maryland, the way this legal sports betting market is being set up requires the SWARC to first review all the applications for licenses to ensure they are quality operators, a time-consuming process that takes cooperation with the MLGCA, with all applications due on Oct. 21.

Some of those potential operators are assuming they will be fully approved, and they have already begun submitting their financial information for the background checks that the MLGCA conducts on every applicant, a process that takes longer in some cases more than others.

MLGCA Director Martin has encouraged those pre-filings of the financials while the app review process is taking place, saying:

These are not dependent events as maybe some feared. We’re optimistic we can get some through the process before the 45 days (SWARC has to review).

The sooner the better for all involved, since bettors are anxious to gamble on the NFL and the upcoming MLB playoffs and the operators are ready to offer a more convenient mobile option to their customers who are more likely to bet from their couches.

Since Retail Sports Betting Has Been Legal, MD has Collected $3.7M in Tax Revenue

The new legal sports betting market in the U.S. is generating multi-billion dollar annual handles and that money is creating revenue streams that are being taxed by the individual states, many of whom are reinvesting that money in education, infrastructure improvements, and more.

In Maryland, the retail legal sports betting market has already collected $3.7 million in tax revenue, and with the addition of an online option that should increase that number dramatically given that elsewhere the mobile markets have proven to be more lucrative than in-person.

Meanwhile, it is already Week 3 of the NFL season, and the NBA season starts on October 19 plus the MLB is just a few weeks away from playoff baseball, all chances for some exciting wagers that, for now, Maryland residents will have to make in person.

Keep checking back for all the latest news and updates on this ongoing story.

Follow other states for updates on betting legislation

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Oregon?

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Oregon?

24 October, 2022 | Richard Janvrin
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in New Mexico?

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in New Mexico?

19 December, 2022 | Richard Janvrin
Image for Mike Lukas

AUTHOR

Mike Lukas

1205 Articles

Mike Lukas is a retired standup comedian turned freelance writer now living in Dallas, Texas, originally from Cleveland, Ohio. His love for the game of football and all things Cleveland Browns turned Mike into a pro blogger years ago. Now Mike enjoys writing about all thirty-two NFL teams, hoping to help football gamblers gain a slight edge in their pursuit of the perfect wager. Email: [email protected]

More info on Mike Lukas
We've been featured on:
espn logo
reuters logo
cbs-news logo
forbes logo
entrepreneur logo
entrepreneur logo
We only list licensed sportsbooks
WorldSportsNetwork
WorldSportsNetwork
WorldSportsNetwork
WorldSportsNetwork

© Rebel Penguin ApS 2024 (a subsidiary of Gaming Innovation Group Inc.)

We support responsible gambling. 21+ Only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.

WSN.com is run by iGaming Cloud Inc (a Gaming Innovation Group Subsidiary) and is registered with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) under affiliate vendor ID 89744, with the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) under certificate of registration number SWR-000148, approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as a gaming service provider, under certificate registration number 117656-1, possesses a Vendor Minor sports betting license from the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission (account number 94414163), granted a vendor registration number VR007603-20-001 by the Michigan Gaming Control Board, an interim Sports Wagering Supplier license, under license number SWS 066, issued by the West Virginia Lottery Commission, a sports betting vendor registration, under registration number #100400, issued by the Director of Gaming Licensing and Investigations of the Virginia Lottery to operate in the State of Virginia, and a Vendor Registration issued by the Sports Wagering Committee of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.

Advertising disclosure: WSN contains links to online retailers on its website. When people click on our affiliate links and make purchases, WSN earns a commission from our partners, including ESPN and various sportsbooks.