Bingo World was awarded a sports wagering license on March 16 by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission. The site in Anne Arundel County became the ninth retail sportsbook in Maryland to be approved. They’re one of 17 facilities eligible for licenses under Maryland’s laws.
Bingo World partnered with BetRivers to make it its official sports betting operator. When it does eventually open its in-person sportsbook it’ll be the sixth in-person sports betting location in the state of Maryland.
The move is good news for BetRivers Maryland as it brings it closer to being able to operate its mobile app in the state of Maryland. Last month, BetRivers qualified for a potential operator license from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.
Where Maryland Sports Betting Stands
Both in-person and online sports betting have been approved in Maryland but only retail sports betting has launched so far. There are currently five sportsbooks available for in-person betting. Bingo World could be the sixth.
The five sportsbooks are FanDuel (Live! Casino & Hotel), BetMGM (MGM National Harbor), Caesars (Horseshoe Casino), TwinSpires (Ocean Downs Casino), and Barstool (Hollywood Casino).
So far during the first three months of operation sports betting has brought in a total handle of $74,609,410 between the five casinos. In February alone, sports betting contributed $134,628 to the state through the 15% sports wagering tax.
In addition to those five currently operating sportsbooks, three other off-track betting sites have gained MLGCC approval as well; Riverboat on the Potomac, Long Shot’s, and Greenmount Station.
The launch of online sports betting is unfortunately still a way out for Maryland but should hopefully launch sometime this year. It could be as early as this summer or later into the fall but hopefully in time for football season. It’s been a slow process so far.
Next Steps
Now that the licensing has come Bingo World must complete the required upgrades and procedural tasks laid out by the MLGCC in order to launch.
The last hurdle in the process is to complete a controlled demonstration with Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff present. So far, Bingo World has yet to schedule that step. Once that controlled demonstration is complete then Bingo World can set an opening date for its BetRivers sportsbook.
About the Author
