Chris Boline
When it comes to the uncertainty with the future of Maryland sports betting, one of the big topics of discussion has been the lack of online options for fans. Remember, betting in Maryland is currently legal, but only at authorized in-person locations. People have been waiting for a while now to have mobile options, and it looks like the wait could be over soon enough. That’s because Maryland online sports betting could come in November.
Per a report, the lawmakers are indeed working around the clock to try and get things done by next month. This is what sports fans have been calling and asking for in recent months, especially with the football season here. There was hope that online betting would be in place by the time the college football and NFL season got underway, but that didn’t end up going down, which was infuriating.
Now, though, the Philadelphia Inquirer states that Maryland is pushing to get things done in the coming weeks. If this were to happen, then people would surely be celebrating all over the state. This is something that’s been needed for a while. Yes, legal betting in person is fine, but having the ability to make wagers from your phone or mobile device makes the user experience way more easier.
“It’s not yet known exactly when online sports betting will go live in Maryland, however, those involved have stated that mobile betting goes launch as soon as November or December 2022, just in time for the Super Bowl,” The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote. “The Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission will be handing out sports betting licenses on a rolling basis, thus, we could see a number of online sportsbooks launch in MD in the near future once it’s legal.”
Maryland online sports betting (rough) timeline:
1. Qualified licensees announced by end of Oct.
2. Individual approvals sometime in Nov.
3. Final tech, other testing signoffs a few weeks after
4. Rolling launch begins; first books live by Nov. or Dec.[H/T @GamblingComp]
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) October 4, 2022
Online betting in time for the Super Bowl will be massive
It goes without saying, but online betting in time for the Super Bowl will be massive. There are already a ton of people checking the NFL betting odds for their teams. However, things are only going to increase later in the year, as Super Bowl betting is always one of the biggest things that people enjoy putting money on. Imagine if online options are put into place by the time the game rolls around in February.
This is only going to lead to more people all over Maryland laying down futures bets, which could in turn result in a lot more revenue for the state as a whole. When it comes to people in Maryland, they’re always going to have a lot of their attention on the Washington Commanders, as Ron Rivera’s team has a lot of potentials. While this team isn’t expected to make a Super Bowl run, plenty of bets will go on them late in the campaign.
The same can be said for the Philadelphia Eagles, who aren’t located too far away. The Eagles have seen their Super Bowl odds skyrocket thanks to their 6-0 start to the season. Jalen Hurts is 100 percent in the MVP conversation right now, which has been amazing to see. Defensively, the team is also playing well thanks to guys like Darius ‘Big Play’ Slay and James Bradberry, who arrived to the team this offseason from the New York Giants.
On top of that, the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs continue to be popular teams for NFL fans across the country. Josh Allen is hoping that this can be the year that the Bills can get over the top, while Patrick Mahomes has the Chiefs looking brilliant too. Everyone is hoping that these two teams go on to face off in the AFC Championship Game, which would be awesome to see for sure.
📍Hurdle Ave., Buffalo NY pic.twitter.com/DOfXfGgGdp
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 18, 2022
A December online launch would still be fine too
While things are up in the air for November, people know that a December online launch would still be fine too. This would come just in time for the last stretch of regular season contests in the NFL, plus there’d be time to lay down futures postseason bets too. Not only that, but this would come in time for the heart of the NCAA’s bowl season as well. There are countless big college games in December.
People are going to want to bet on those regardless if there are online options or not. Yes, those bets will come in person, that’s without a doubt. But similar to the NFL, even more, bets will come in if online movements are there. Both the NFL and NCAA sports are huge money-makers for bettors. This isn’t going to change in the near future. If anything, it’s going to become more popular with how things are changing both at the pro and college level.
It’s on the people in charge in Maryland to get something done here. People, indeed, have been wanting this for months, almost a year. Only time will tell if it comes in November or December. Regardless, it’s clear that online betting will end up going down, which will be huge for everyone in Maryland.
