Maryland grants sports betting license to Greenmount Off-Track Betting (OTB)
(Informal, approachable, and straightforward style)
Greenmount OTB Steps Into the Sports Betting Game
The Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) awarded a sports wagering facility license to Greenmount OTB, situated within the Greenmount Station Restaurant in Hampstead, on Monday morning. With this move, Greenmount OTB joins seven other Maryland entities, including Ocean Downs Casino, to dabble in the sports betting World.[1][2]
Greenmount OTB hasn't officially announced its partnership with a sportsbook operator yet, but the process is underway.[1] The facility plans to launch its sports betting operation in early 2022, just in time for the big game. The location features 15 TVs, a sports bar, and NFL Sunday Ticket.
TwinSpires Takeover at Ocean Downs Casino
Over in Berlin, Ocean Downs Casino made a splash on Friday with its retail sports betting operation launch. The facility held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m., marking the fourth Maryland casino to launch sports wagering. Ocean Downs Casino is now open for business, joining heavyweights like MGM National Harbor (BetMGM), Live! Casino (FanDuel), and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore (Caesars).[1]
Ocean Downs Casino received approval from the SWARC on Nov. 18 and wheels were set in motion to ready the facility. If you were curious, MGM National Harbor took the state's first sports wagers on Dec. 9.[1]
Sports Bets on the Horizon
While mobile sports betting is still anticipated for late 2022, don't yawn just yet! More retail locations will receive sports wagering facility licenses and launch retail sportsbooks in the coming weeks and months. If everything goes according to plan, Hollywood Casino Perryville (Barstool Sportsbook) is expected to launch its retail sports betting operation on Thursday. Hollywood Casino was granted a license by the SWARC on Nov. 18, and Riverboat-on-the-Potomac (PointsBet) and Long Shot's, with diverse ownership, are expected to launch their retail operations in early 2022.[1]
Long Shot's is yet to officially announce its sportsbook partnership, but the details should be coming soon.[1] As Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin puts it, "That's the promise, is to get everyone a seat at the table."[1]
In other SWARC news, the group is working on a more consistent meeting schedule. While the group currently meets when the need for awarding a license arises, the seven-member panel plans to establish a more regular schedule for meetings.[1]
It's worth noting that the SWARC is moving through the license application review process fairly swiftly compared to a few months ago. This past Monday, the meeting to award Greenmount OTB a license took approximately five minutes to complete.[1] However, on Nov. 18, the meeting took a bit longer due to lengthy discussion and debate related to awarding licenses, following no decision during a Nov. 3 meeting and the group's October meeting being canceled.[1]
So now that you have the scoop, grab your teams' merch, your favorite beverage, and get ready to place your bets!
Stay tuned for more updates as the Maryland sports betting scene continues to unfold!
Resources:
- BennettConlin on Twitter
- Sports Handle on Twitter
- Greenmount OTB is planning to jump into the sports betting world, joining other Maryland entities like Ocean Downs Casino, and launch its sports betting operation early next year.
- Hollywood Casino Perryville (Barstool Sportsbook) is expected to enter the sports betting arena with its retail sportsbook launch in the coming weeks, marking another addition to the growing Maryland sports betting scene.
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