Gamblers who wish to use their phones to bet on sports in Maryland can mark their calendars for Wednesday.

Seven of the 10 companies picked to offer mobile sports gambling are going to be ready to launch their apps on Wednesday, according to John A. Martin, director of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.

“We will launch on Wednesday, Nov. 23,” Martin said during a public meeting on Thursday morning. “The time is still to be determined.”

Just one day earlier, a state licensing commission approved licenses for 10 companies to offer mobile sports betting apps in Maryland. Those companies must complete some final reports and paperwork and pass a controlled demonstration overseen by regulators. Once that happens, the licenses are issued and they can start accepting bets.

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Martin said that by early next week, he’ll be able to announce the time the apps can launch.

The seven companies that indicated they’ll be able to get the final steps done for next week include:

Three companies picked for licenses said they will launch later:

The launch of mobile sports gambling has been highly anticipated, as Maryland lagged behind other states in expanding its gambling industry.

Voters here approved sports betting during the 2020 election. In-person betting, however, was not offered in Maryland until December 2021.

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The licensing commission has been deliberate in their process, members say, so they can comply with the complicated sports betting law and ensure participation in the industry by minority- and women-owned businesses.

State law allows for up to 60 mobile betting apps in the state, and 21 companies applied this fall. The first 10 companies were approved for licenses this week.

Eight facilities currently offer in-person sports betting: five casinos, Bingo World, Riverboat on the Potomac and Greenmount Off Track Betting.

Gamblers spent $39.66 million on sports bets in Maryland in October, and sportsbooks paid out $34.35 million in winnings.

The state keeps 15% of the taxable win, which came out to $781,642 in October. Most of that is earmarked to fund enhanced programs for public schools through the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund. A portion also goes to the state’s Problem Gambling Fund.

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The education fund has received at least $5.42 million since the launch of sports gambling in December 2021, while the gambling fund has received at least $885,195.

pamela.wood@thebaltimorebanner.com

Pamela Wood

pamela.wood@thebaltimorebanner.com

Pamela Wood

Pamela Wood covers Maryland politics and government. She previously reported for The Baltimore Sun, The Capital and other Maryland newspapers. A graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, she lives in northern Anne Arundel County.

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