Despite a law allowing sports betting in Maryland, it’s still not up and running in the state. Now Gov. Larry Hogan is expressing his frustration about the gambling delays.
At 22 locations across the state, betting could be taking place by now, but snags in licensing are resulting in delays. A sports betting commission overseeing a study to ensure equitable distribution of sports betting licences, including to minority-owned businesses, is holding it up.
“On sports betting, it’s a very frustrating situation. Obviously the voters overwhelmingly voted for sports betting,” said Hogan. “They passed a law which they now seem to be ignoring.”
Sports betting would provide about $20 million a year in tax revenue for the state. Voters passed a sports gambling law in 2020 and Hogan signed it into law in May.
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“As far as we’re concerned, they should have been taking bets,” said Hogan.
Democratic state Sen. Cory McCray of Baltimore says it’s about finishing a study first to ensure all businesses are on a level playing field.
“The new disparity study has to be done at this moment, and making sure that minorities turn to the arena and a very fair playing ground,” said McCray.
Some members of the state legislature said they are concerned that established out of state gambling businesses could scoop up a big share of the business if the panel moves too fast. They say they want to ensure that locally and minority owned businesses get a fair shot at the licenses.
The president of Maryland Live Casinos says he’s hearing customers are ansty to make their bets in the state -- sick of traveling far to gamble elsewhere.
“They’re very excited to get ready with sports betting. They’re telling us they're tired of driving over to DC, Delaware and Virginia to place their bets,” said Rob Norton, of Cordish Gaming and Live Casinos. “So we’re interested in getting started and the customers are expressing their interest in getting started.”
The sports commission is scheduled to meet later this month and will discuss the issue. There are reports that first bets will now be delayed until after the first of the year, but McCray says he’s not sure how long the delay will last.