DraftKings to Launch in Maryland
Major sports betting operator DraftKings has stepped up as the latest operator to announce its entry into the Maryland sports betting market. Its online sportsbook app is expected to launch on November 23rd, 2022, while competitor Betfred’s physical sportsbook will go live starting on November 18th, following its initial announcement back in July 2022.
DraftKings has stepped in as the latest operator to make public its entrance into the Maryland sports betting market, with its online sportsbook app scheduled to launch on November 23rd, 2022. ©BruceEmmerling/Pixabay
Maryland Wrapped Up Sports Wagering License Application Process in October 2022
The constantly growing provider of premiere sports betting in the United States, DraftKings, has revealed that it has become the latest operator to announce its entry into the state of Maryland’s increasingly crowded sports betting market. Along with Betfred’s physical retail sportsbook offering going live starting on November 18th, 2022, DraftKings’ own online mobile sportsbook app is scheduled to launch on November 23rd.
The launches come after both operators successfully passed the mandatory early access test period, a measure put forth by the Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Control Agency, and paid the impressive $500,000 application fee.
Maryland only recently put an end to its mobile sports wagering licensing process, on October 21st, 2022 to be exact, having launched the process only on September 7th. The state is ready to put sports wagering into action soon, though fairly last minute, with operators only receiving regulatory approval mere days before several high-profile NFL games take place on Thanksgiving.
DraftKings’ Mobile Sportsbook App Will Allow Players Many Different Ways to Bet
But likely the main attraction here for sports betting fans will be DraftKings’ own proprietary mobile sports wagering app, which will enable players to place bets on same-game parlays, player props, special odds and boost selections.
Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Matt Kalish, DraftKings co-founder and president of DraftKings North America, made reference to the already ongoing sports season as one of several reasons why the operator is excited to finally be launching in Maryland:
“With an active sports season currently underway, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to launch our top-rated sportsbook app in Maryland.”– Matt Kalish, Co-Founder and President, DraftKings North America, Press Release
Kalish went on to thank several Maryland regulatory bodies for approving the operator – even going so far as to personally thank Governor Larry Hogan and the General Assembly:
“Our product delivers fans an exciting sports betting experience, and we would like to thank the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission, Governor Hogan and the General Assembly for bringing online sports wagering to Maryland.”
Betfred Announced Entrance into Maryland Back in July 2022
As briefly mentioned, Betfred’s sports betting division, known as Betfred Sports, announced back in July 2022 that it had just signed a market access deal in Maryland. The deal comes as a result of an agreement signed with off-track betting operator and restaurant Long Shot’s, which is situated in Maryland’s Frederick County.
The agreement paved the way for Betfred now being able to launch its physical retail sportsbook in Maryland, though its online sportsbook approval still remains in the air. At the time of the announcement, the operator already hinted at its future plans in the Old Line State, such as a permanent sportsbook facility with a video wall, theater-style seating, and food and beverage facilities. These projects are supposedly already in the works, scheduled to open early next year in 2023.
Long Shot’s chief executive Alyse Cohen claimed that the restaurant was very pleased to be partnering with Betfred, asserting Long Shot’s is one of the most premiere betting complexes in the state of Maryland:
“We were at the forefront of bringing sports betting to Maryland and specifically to Frederick. We are thrilled to open a sportsbook at Long Shot’s in partnership with Betfred Sports. We are proud that Long Shot’s is one of the premier off-track betting locations in the State and we look forward to achieving similar success with sports wagering.”– Alyse Cohen, Chief Executive, Long Shot’s, Press Release
DraftKings Revealed Launch in Kansas in September 2022
As for DraftKings, the sportsbook operator revealed the launch of its sportsbook offering in the Midwestern state of Kansas on September 1st, 2022 – which was also the opening day of legal sportsbook operations in the US state.
DraftKings joins five other operators currently competing with one another in the state, including the likes of Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel and PointsBet. Mobile sports betting only became permitted for all operators several days later – on September 8th.
Co-founder and president Matt Kalish reminded observers that Fall 2022 is an especially active period of the year for sports betting in the United States:
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver our award-wining products to Kansas sports fans for the 2022 NFL and college football seasons. It’s an especially exhilarating time of year, and we are excited for eligible Kansans to be able to get in on all the action through DraftKings’ seamless and responsible sports betting experience.”
