The Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission met Wednesday for the first time since February, and the group awarded one mobile sports betting license and one sports wagering facility license.
Whitman Gaming was awarded a facility license, meaning a FanDuel sportsbook is likely coming to the Sports and Social Bethesda sports bar in North Bethesda. The location already has FanDuel marketing materials across the facility, but it has yet to offer in-person betting options. That will soon change.
Mobile licensee with D.C. history
Veterans Services Corporation, which has partnered with Bee Fee Limited to provide its mobile wagering platform, was awarded a mobile betting license Wednesday.
The entity, which is owned by Emmanuel Bailey, has a controversial history in Washington, D.C. In 2019, The Washington Post reported that Bailey’s company, which was subcontracted to help Intralot launch the sports betting platform GambetDC in the District, didn’t have employees.
Also: Politically-connected Emmanuel Bailey, whose Veterans Services Corp. is CBE partner on Intralot's $215 million lottery contract, has TWO, yes 2, employees. Well, that's up from just his mom in the last contract. And @DCLottery's Gambet app is an embarrassment. What a mess. https://t.co/xm4Re78LWW
— Elissa Silverman (@tweetelissa) July 7, 2021
GambetDC has received significant criticism since its D.C. launch, as the app has struggled mightily — from poor odds to a subpar interface and tech woes, including an iOS failure on Super Bowl Sunday in 2022. Interestingly, staff working with the Maryland SWARC cited the work Veterans Services Corporation provided in D.C. as a reason for licensing approval Wednesday.
Mobile updates in Maryland
SuperBook Sports went live in Maryland last week, giving the state nine operational mobile sportsbooks. Lottery officials told Sports Handle at the end of 2022 that 20 mobile sports betting platforms could be live in the state by the end of 2023.
🚨BIG NEWS🚨
The World Famous SuperBook Sports is NOW LIVE in Maryland! @MDSuperBook
Enjoy promos, favorable pricing and an expansive betting menu on our easy-to-use app today — https://t.co/qIZLK9fz5J pic.twitter.com/FikxF4vzba
— SuperBook Sports (@SuperBookSports) April 13, 2023
That goal might be lofty, as several sports wagering platforms have been awarded licenses but have yet to launch in Maryland. Bettors in the state could have 10 to 15 mobile options by the end of this year, however. The SWARC has awarded 15 mobile sports betting licenses, meaning Bally Bet, betPARX, Crab Sports, Fanatics Sportsbook, and WynnBET are all near a launch in Maryland.
The SWARC and Maryland Lottery will review six other mobile wagering applications in the coming months, as the commission received 21 applications in its initial application window. The SWARC could award additional mobile licenses at its next meeting on May 17.
