MD Could Restrict Betting Near Venues
A bill has been put forward to the Maryland Senate that would restrict the awarding of sports betting licenses to facilities located close to a sports venue that already holds a license. Senate Bill 297 would prohibit the issuing of licenses to venues within a 15-mile radius of a Class A-1 or A-2 facility in select counties.
A bill has been presented to the Maryland Senate that would restrict the awarding of sports betting licenses to facilities located close to a sports venue that is already licensed. ©BruceEmmerling/Pixabay
If It Passes, Bill to Come Into Effect on June 1st, 2022
It has been revealed that a bill has been presented to the Maryland Senate that aims to restrict the awarding of sports betting licenses to facilities located close to a sports venue that already holds a license.
Filed in mid-January 2021 by Senators Ronald Young and Michael Hough, Senate Bill 297 would prohibit the state’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission from granting licenses to operators looking to open venues within a 15-mile radius of a Class A-1 or A-2 sports betting facility in Allegany County, Cecil County, or Worcester County.
The bill would further prohibit the awarding of licenses to venues within 10 miles of a Class B-1 or B-2 licensed sports betting facility in Calvert County, Carrol County, Frederick County and Washington County.
Finally, Senate Bill 297 would also ban licenses from being issued to retail locations within a 1.5-mile radius of a Class A-1 or A-2 sports wagering facility located in any other county in Maryland, as well as any other Class B-1 or B-2 sports betting venue.
In the event that Senate Bill 297 is approved, these strict new rules are expected to come into effect in Maryland starting June 1st of this year, 2022.
Maryland Officially Launched Sports Betting in December 2021
The news concerning potential restrictions on sports betting in the vicinity of already-established sports betting venues comes not long after Maryland officially opened its regulated sports wagering market last month in December 2021, after state Governor Larry Hogan placed the first legal bet at MGM National Harbor.
The state of Maryland’s principal gambling regulator, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission (MLGCC), along with its Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC), issued five sports betting licenses to land-based casinos in November.
The five winners of the MLGCC’s licenses, which it granted earlier on in 2021, were Penn National’s Hollywood Casino in Perryville; Caesars Entertainment’s Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore; Cordish Companies’ Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover; the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill and Churchill Downs’ Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin.
MGM National Harbor Was First Retail Sportsbook in the State
As was previously mentioned, Maryland finally launched its legal regulated sports betting market on December 9th, 2021. Marking the occasion was state Governor Larry Hogan, who placed the first legal bet at the retail sportsbook located within the MGM National Harbor complex.
MGM’s National Harbor site was chosen to be the first in the state to open a licensed retail sportsbook. Governor Hogan placed the state’s first legal bet on the Washington Football Team to be the ones who will face the Baltimore Ravens in the upcoming 2022 Super Bowl.
While celebrating the launch of Maryland’s sports betting market, Hogan noted that the launch was the product of more than a years’ worth of effort to get the market up and running:
“Today marks the culmination of more than a year of effort to get sports betting up and running here in the State of Maryland. In addition to allowing Marylanders to bet on football, basketball, and more, sports betting will also help to keep more dollars in-state and will provide another critical revenue source for public education without raising taxes on families and small businesses.”– Larry Hogan, Governor, State of Maryland
Penn National Acquired Hollywood Casino Perryville in June 2021
In other related Maryland gambling news, prominent US operator Penn National Gaming (PNG) went ahead with its acquisition of the operations behind Hollywood Casino Perryville in June 2021, after it received the necessary approval from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.
Standing at a notable $31.1 million, Penn National first brokered the deal in December 2020. As part of the deal, it will also assume control of the lease with the casino property owner – Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI) – so that the operator can take over all real estate assets connected to the casino’s facility.
Commenting on the acquisition, President and CEO of Penn National Jay Snowden said it looked forward to re-entering the state’s market:
“I want to thank the Commission and their staff for their time and effort in reviewing and approving our Company’s license to operate Hollywood Casino Perryville. We are thrilled to be re-entering the Maryland market at a property we developed in 2010 as it will add a twentieth gaming jurisdiction to our already leading nationwide footprint.”– Jay Snowden, President and Chief Executive Officer, Penn National Gaming (PNG)
News of the recent legalization of sports betting in Maryland came as perfect timing for Penn National to work towards launching its Barstool Sports-branded sportsbook platform in the state:
“In addition, we’re equally excited to be entering this market following the legalization of sports betting in Maryland a few weeks ago. This acquisition provides another opportunity to expand our unique omni-channel platform with a Barstool-branded retail sports book and mobile app.”
