Last week, Wynn Resorts announced plans to withdraw its mobile sports betting platform, WynnBET, from numerous jurisdictions. The operator, which was previously awarded a mobile sports betting license in Maryland, will give up that license.
WynnBET was granted a mobile wagering license by the Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) in December. The operator had yet to launch in Maryland at the time of last week’s announcement.
“We will work with the company on steps necessary to relinquish its mobile sports wagering license award,” John Mooney, the Maryland Lottery’s director of regulatory oversight, said during Wednesday’s SWARC meeting.
SWARC in slow period
With betPARX and Crab Sports recently launching mobile platforms, Maryland is home to 12 operational mobile sportsbooks and 10 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks. Seven of the 11 mobile books launched in November, including BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, and FanDuel.
At the time, Maryland Lottery Director John Martin predicted consistent growth within the state’s mobile sports betting market, estimating Marylanders could have access to 20 mobile sportsbooks by the end of 2023. That target seems unlikely with more than half the year in the rearview mirror and mobile entrances slowing considerably.
The state’s sports betting industry will see some shifts in the coming months, however. Barstool Sportsbook is expected to complete its rebrand to ESPN BET in November, and Fanatics Sportsbook (which recently acquired PointsBet) will launch its fully operational mobile sports betting product ahead of the start of football season. The 2023 football season will also be the first full NFL season that Fanatics’s retail sportsbook at FedEx Field will be open.
While Maryland’s sports betting industry shakes itself out, the SWARC hasn’t been needed for much. The commission is scheduled to meet next on Sept. 20, but Wednesday’s meeting — which lasted just 10 minutes — suggested that the September gathering may be canceled due to a lack of current licensing action.
