While the progression of Maryland sports betting has been at an impasse for much of the summer, especially on the mobile front, positive news came about on Monday afternoon. So what is going on for retail and online sports betting in the state, as NFL season fast approaches?

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MD Sports Betting Now Includes Bingo World

There is a brand new Maryland sports betting option available for residents, as the first retail sports wagering shop — outside of a casino — showcased its ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bingo World in Anne Arundel County.

In partnership with Rush Street Interactive, BetRivers Sportsbook is officially a part of the Maryland sports betting community. Former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Qadry “the Missile” Ismail, who was a key contributor the Ravens during their win over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV, placed the first legal bet at the establishment.

Bingo World president Randy Clemens, director of B2B Services at BetRivers Adam Glass, Maryland State Senator Mary Beidle, House of Delegates Member Nicholaus Kipke, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and Bingo World customer and community icon Myra Harris were also in attendance.

“We are so excited and honored to be the first operator outside of a casino to offer Maryland residents a retail sportsbook,” Clemens said. “Together with our partners at RSI (Rush Street Interactive), we can offer bettors a world-class in-person sports betting experience at the BetRivers Sportsbook and lounge.”

Moreover, Bingo World joins a handful other sportsbooks in the Free State, including:

• MGM National Harbor (BetMGM) 
• Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland (FanDuel) 
• Horseshoe Casino Baltimore (Caesars) 
• Ocean Downs Casino (TwinSpires)
• Hollywood Casino Perryville (Barstool)

Maryland Mobile Sports Betting Still At Bay

Despite the positive movement in regards to non-casino sports wagering, the initiation of Maryland mobile sports betting has yet to bypass an abundance of legal constraints.

In June, Gov. Larry Hogan stated in a letter that Maryland is in the midst of losing millions of dollars in economic investment and education funding because of the mobile wagering delay. Despite that, not much has changed since, and it doesn’t appear to be in the cards ahead of the 2022 NFL season.

“Maryland’s (sports betting) law is particularly complex,” SWARC Chairman Tom Brandt said during the commission’s June 16 meeting. “Unlike any other jurisdiction, there’s a significant deliberate effort to enable small businesses, minority-owned and women-owned business to have equity and participate in the new sports wagering industry.”

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