For immediate release
February 24, 2022
Contact:
Carole Bober Gentry
410-230-8725 (office)
410-365-6384 (cell)
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Lottery and Gaming Commission Approves Bingo World, Rush Street for Sports Wagering Anne Arundel County electronic instant bingo location heads to SWARC for license award
(Baltimore) — The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) today determined that Bingo World in Anne Arundel County has met the qualification requirements for a sports wagering license. In addition, Bingo World’s operator partner, RSI MD, LLC, a subsidiary of Rush Street Interactive, was found qualified for a sports wagering operator license.
Bingo World is an electronic instant bingo venue and is among the 17 entities that were designated in the sports wagering law to conduct retail sports wagering operations, pending a review of their qualifications to receive licenses. Bingo World’s application will now be forwarded to the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC), which is responsible for awarding sports wagering facility licenses.
Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff will be working with Bingo World and its operator partner, contractors and employees on their licensing procedures in preparation for the launch of sports wagering operations. An opening date has not been determined.
Bingo World is Maryland’s ninth sports wagering facility to be found qualified. Sports wagering operations launched during December at five casinos (MGM National Harbor; Live! Casino; Horseshoe Casino; Hollywood Casino; Ocean Downs Casino). The MLGCC has also found three off-track betting
venues to be qualified (Riverboat on the Potomac; Long Shot’s and Greenmount Station). All three are completing facility upgrades or operational requirements in preparation for their launch dates, which have not been determined.
In affirming the qualification of RSI MD, LLC, the MLGCC delegated to Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff the authority to apply alternative licensing standards, as outlined in state law. The MLGCC may temporarily waive certain requirements for applicants that hold gaming or sports wagering licenses from Maryland or other states where “the licensing standards are comprehensive and thorough and provide similar and adequate safeguards” to those required in Maryland (State Government Article § 9-1E-05).
Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff determined that RSI MD, LLC’s parent company, Rush Street Interactive, is qualified because it has sports wagering licenses from at least three other states with standards that are similar to those in Maryland. Maryland Lottery and Gaming’s full licensing investigation of RSI MD, LLC is ongoing, and any licenses that are issued may be revoked if disqualifying information is found.
Maryland Lottery and Gaming’s Licensing investigators are in frequent contact with additional entities that were designated in the sports wagering law, whose applications are in progress. State law requires that applicants “establish by clear and convincing evidence” that they are fully qualified before the MLGCC issues a license (State Government Article § 9-1E-07).
About Maryland Lottery and Gaming
Maryland Lottery and Gaming operates the Maryland Lottery and is responsible for regulatory oversight of the state’s casinos and sports wagering program. To keep Marylanders informed and promote integrity and transparency, Maryland Lottery and Gaming posts monthly financial reports on casino revenue at mdgaming.com, along with annual fiscal year data. For more information on all Lottery products, promotions and news, visit mdlottery.com. Maryland Lottery and Gaming reminds players to play responsibly and within their budget; resources are available at mdgamblinghelp.org or by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
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