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Fanatics Sportsbook went live with its beta product in Maryland at the beginning of June, becoming the 10th mobile sports betting operator to launch in the state.
Despite Fanatics’ entrance into Maryland, the pace of mobile sportsbooks going live in the state has slowed in recent months. Seven mobile operators went live in Maryland in November of 2022, with just three more joining in the seven months since.
Still, Maryland Lottery Director John Martin is pleased with both recent revenue generation — he projects about $25-30 million in annual tax revenue from sports betting when the market matures — and the growth of the state’s sports betting market.
“We have another three mobile operators [and] about another three retail operators over the next several months here through the summer to still come on board and maybe a few more after that,” Martin said at Thursday’s monthly lottery meeting. “Things are tracking very well on the sports wagering side, and we should get real close to that $25 million mark when we do the final accounting at the end of next month.”
Operators next to enter Maryland
PointsBet is one of the 10 mobile operators active in Maryland, which may not be the case for long. Both DraftKings and Fanatics Sportsbook are hoping to acquire PointsBet, which could take one mobile operator out of the state’s market.
However, a few local sportsbooks are expected to go live soon after receiving licenses from the state’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission. Crab Sports and Queen Sportsbook Maryland are among the smaller operators that have been awarded mobile licenses but have yet to launch.
Bally Bet likely won’t launch in the immediate future, as the operator is pausing operations for a tech migration. BetPARX and WynnBET also have licenses in Maryland but have yet to launch.
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In addition to Fanatics Sportsbook, SuperBook Sports is among the latest operators to go live in Maryland.
Tout audit rules expected next month?
Two Maryland laws impacting the sports wagering industry take effect at the start of next month.
Beginning on July 1, Maryland universities will not be allowed to partner with sports betting operators if the relationship includes financial compensation for the universities generating sportsbook sign-ups. Currently, no Maryland universities have deals with sports betting operators. PointsBet and the University of Maryland ended their relationship earlier this year, as the industry as a whole shifts away from such partnerships.
Additionally, a law designed to audit touts and handicappers goes into effect on July 1. The law gives the Maryland Lottery the ability to license third parties to evaluate touts and handicappers. The idea behind the law is to increase credibility for reliable handicappers and shine a light on bad actors in the industry.
A lottery spokesperson told Sports Handle that regulations for the law are in the process of being drafted. The rules could be voted on at next month’s lottery meeting, which is scheduled for July 27. Once the lottery approves the rules, they go to the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review and are subject to a public comment period.
Once rules are finalized, the effort to audit touts in Maryland can begin.
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