In Maryland, the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) is under duress again, this time in relation to recent public comments published by the committee. One article highlighting SWARC’s pointed out that much of the public input submitted has scolded the agency for its seemingly long deliberating process. As many familiar readers of this space are aware, Marylanders approved amending the state constitution to allow state lawmakers to pass legislation to allow betting on sports during the November 2020 election cycle. However, SWARC has battled criticism over time and deflected critiques regarding its lethargic path to getting online sportsbooks up and running per the same report.
For this article, SBS will go over what the latest gaming news in Maryland looks like along with some other thoughts and notes about wagering in the Old Line State.
After these recent incendiary comments, SWARC has deflected the blame by pointing to different mitigating circumstances hindering their progress according to one report. In the same article, SWARC pointed to the fact that the sports betting bill included equity requirements in the licensing process. Moreover, the law proposed that a thorough “disparity analysis” be completed by an independent third-party research firm to determine if Maryland’s gaming industry previously discriminated against minority groups per the analysis. With that in mind, In July, SWARC amended its application process to remove race and gender-based licensing criteria. Now the commission is requiring that each sportsbook applicant tell the state how the company plans to improve diversity within 30 days of a sportsbook license per sources.
Nonetheless, Maryland sports fans who have been pining to have a legally approved online gaming channel are running out of patience with the committee per the same report.
“Yesterday, it cost me $7 in gas and one hour and 20 minutes of my time to drive to the nearest casino to make a sports bet,” Bel Air resident Tom Rothschilds told SWARC in an email dated September 7, 2022. “How much money and time has SWARC cost Maryland residents of all ethnicities and income levels because they are forced to drive to a casino to make sports bets? When is SWARC going to do their job?”
“What in God’s name is taking so long?” asked Marylander Kris Sankar in the article. “No one will use an unknown book to wager, because there is no credibility. So, give out the licenses already and stop wasting time and money.”
According to one update article about the lack of progress from the commission in Maryland, outside companies looking to participate in the Maryland gaming scene were disappointed at some language SWARC had proposed. Per sources, attorneys representing one outside company, bet365, panned SWARC’s recommendation that mobile applicants have at least one direct or indirect owner controlling 5% or more of the applicant entity to be held by a person who has a personal net worth of less than $1.847 million. Attorneys for the company stated that SWARC risks severely restricting who may participate in the market without having a corresponding benefit to Maryland and its residents.
After you are done getting all up to speed regarding the latest gaming news in Maryland, make sure to also check out the variety of different resources SBS has set up for you. Of course, the first page you need to check out is our Maryland sports betting rundown which goes over all the updates coming from the state and the latest bonuses as well. On the topic of bonuses, there is no better page to check out than SBS’ best bonus betting sites overview which lays out all the most fantastic ways to juice up your bets and maximize your wagers. On a final note, if you are perhaps unsure how to make deposits and withdrawals with your bets, then do not worry as we have a page for you. With our payment methods guide, you can see a variety of different ways to make your deposits and also place your withdrawals as well.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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