State approves sports betting for Frederick facility
BALTIMORE — An off-track betting facility in Frederick, Md., is one of two venues approved this week for sports wagering licenses in Maryland.
Long Shot’s, on Holiday Drive near the Francis Scott Key Mall, and Riverboat on the Potomac have met qualification requirements for sports wagering licenses, according to the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.
The venues are among the 17 entities that were designated in the sports wagering law to conduct sports wagering operations, pending a review of their qualifications to receive licenses.
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Riverboat on the Potomac is in Colonial Beach, Va., and its planned sports wagering area will be on the banks of the Potomac River in Maryland.
As small businesses with minority and women owners, Riverboat on the Potomac and Long Shot’s support the legislative intent of the sports wagering law to create an inclusive and diverse market. Their applications will now be forwarded to the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission, which is responsible for awarding the licenses.
“We’re extremely happy to see these two locally owned businesses move forward, and we’re eager to continue working with them in the coming weeks to launch their sports wagering operations,” Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin said in a statement released Thursday.
Background: Maryland lawmakers pass sports betting; could begin by fall
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Hollywood Casino in Perryville, Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill and Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin were awarded licenses on Nov. 18. Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff are working with those five facilities to schedule their dates for controlled demonstrations — the last step before their public openings.
All sports wagering facilities must successfully complete two days of controlled demonstrations, during which guests invited by the facilities participate in live wagering under the observation of Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff.
“Controlled demonstrations are an important final step before sports wagering opens to the public,” Martin said. “They serve as a dress rehearsal for the facilities and their staffs, and they allow Maryland Lottery and Gaming to assure the public that these operations are ready to go.”
During each demonstration, Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff conduct on-site monitoring to ensure that all systems perform as required, and to verify that operational and revenue reporting controls are effective.
“Everything is on pace for the first public openings to happen in December,” Martin said. “The facilities and the public are eager to get started, and so are we.”
The Maryland General Assembly approved legislation setting the framework for sports betting operations earlier this year.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Frederick sports betting facility receives approval
