- FedEx Field was granted approval by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to operate an in-person sportsbook.
- The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission must still grant FedEx Field a license to launch.
- Based on the speed of licensing for mobile online gambling, it may be unlikely that the in-person sportsbook launches this season.
WASHINGTON – Sports betting is comming to FedEx Field, home to the Washington Commanders. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission(MLGCC) approved the stadium’s bid for a retail sports betting location, along with two other locations throughout the state.
The final step in the process to bring in-person sportsbook to FedEx Field is the approval for a license by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission. Given the MLGCC 6-1 vote in favor of The Commanders’ application, it is likely a license will be issued.
When Will Sports Betting Be Available In FedEx Field?
If the speed of licensing by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission for mobile sports betting sites is any indication, there may be log jam that could cause hold ups regarding the Commanders’ bid to bring sports betting to their state.
Current projections indicate that it is unlikely that mobile sports betting operators are given approval before the NFL season begins. That is in spite of the fact that Maryland’s legislators approved mobile sports betting during the 2021 legislative session.
Those projections could be wrong given what SWARC chairman Thomas Brandt Jr. stated back in June:
“Based on what we know today, I expect the SWARC applications for mobile sports wagering and additional Class B licenses to be published this summer, and for SWARC to begin applications shortly thereafter.”
As summer comes to a close, mobile online gambling is still not available, meaning it might also take a while for brick-and-mortar licenses to be approved for a sportsbook in FedEx Field.