Chris Boline
While people all over the state have been waiting for positive sports betting news in Maryland to come in on the online front, there’s been a positive twist in things elsewhere. That’s because the first non-casino sports betting shop opened in Maryland and people can’t stop talking about it. Indeed, Bingo World opened sports betting for its visitors to take advantage of and it’s expected to be a major hit, especially with the NFL season right around the corner.
Previously, there had only been sports betting options in person for people in Maryland at authorized casinos. While this was still quite popular, people had been waiting for other places to allow for such activity to become available as well. Bingo World became the first location to get things across the line, and the reception has been quite positive. Bingo World President Randy Clemens is understandably thrilled about what’s going on.
“We are so excited and honored to be the first operator outside of a casino to offer Maryland residents a retail sportsbook,” Clemens said via The Lines on the latest news on the sports betting option now open for fans. “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.”
That quote is great to see from Clemens and his excitement is shared by so many people across the state. It’s a major victory for so many different people involved in the discussions. Will this potentially lead to more non-casino locations getting sports betting activated? Only time will tell, but it’s surely something fun to think about. We could find out soon if others end up joining the party.
The BetRivers Sportsbook at Bingo World in Baltimore, Maryland, will have a grand opening ceremony on Monday at noon. The location will add to Maryland’s retail sports betting options — the state currently has five casinos that offer retail sports wagering.
— Bennett Conlin (@BennettConlin) July 29, 2022
What’s the latest with online sports betting?
While the news from the bingo is positive, people are still wondering what’s the latest with online sports betting? For Maryland, it’s important to remember that people still are not able to make their bets through mobile assets, as only in-person betting is allowed at the authorized locations. However, there’s optimism that online Maryland betting could be coming to the state sooner than later.
Despite no set date being placed, local officials are hoping that the online betting could arrive in time for the start of the 2022 NFL regular season betting – which would of course mean Super Bowl futures bets would come too. Obviously, this would be a massive update if things were to move forward here. Football betting is always going to be massive and the fact that people still can’t do so online is a bit of a bummer. NFL fans will keep doing these bets in person, but they want the easy access of a mobile option.
For people in Maryland, they’re going to be following the Washington Commanders closely from start to finish this season. With the preseason starting soon too for the NFC East team, people can’t wait to see what’s to come from star quarterback Carson Wentz. The former No. 2 overall pick is entering his first campaign as the starter in Washington and expectations are going to be high for him.
Not only that, but ‘Scary’ Terry McLaurin just signed his massive extension too, and he’ll be ready to live up to the hype of his new deal. All in all, things are looking bright for the Commanders and people want to be able to bet big on them from start to finish this campaign. If things are able to move forward for the online betting, you can expect way more bets to come in on this team.
Maryland governor is pushing for the online sports betting
What could help expedite the sports betting is that the Maryland governor is pushing for the online sports betting to get here by September. That’s right, Gov. Larry Hogan has made his voice heard several times, as he knows the importance of getting the online version all set to go for his citizens. This would lead to way more betting revenue to come in for the state – that’s a given right there.
With Hogan applying some pressure here, this has made people all over Maryland believe that the online betting should arrive in time for the start of the regular season. People wish that they could be able to make some preseason bets right now, but they can only do that in person, not online. Once Week 1 does get here, though, it’d be a shocker at this point if online options aren’t made available. Hogan is a man of power and he’s getting the ball rolling in things getting finalized.
For now, it’s a wait and see if online betting will come by Sept. 8. However, we should have our answer known in the coming weeks on if things get done or not. From our chair, it’d indeed be a major surprise if online betting doesn’t come in time. Hogan will be furious if nothing changes. Again, give it a few weeks and then we should have a response of what’s going to end up going down.
"I definitely think it is a work in progress. I feel like we are connecting more as the weeks go on."
On how @TheTerry_25 and @cj_wentz are building chemistry
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 8, 2022
