BERLIN — The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) on Thursday determined the Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin has met the qualification requirements for a sports wagering license.
The MLGCC determined both the Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin along with the Hollywood Casino in Perryville have met the qualification requirements. The two casinos are among 17 entities that were designated in a law passed by the General Assembly this year to conduct sports wagering operations, pending a review of their qualifications to receive licenses.
The applications from the Ocean Downs Casino and Hollywood Casino will now be forwarded to the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC), which is responsible for awarding the gaming licenses. Ocean Downs and Hollywood join other casinos in the state, including the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, Live Casino and Hotel in Anne Arundel County and the MGM National Harbor Casino in awaiting license awards.
The MLGCC earlier this month determined the other three casinos listed had met the qualifications and submitted their applications to the SWARC. In August, SWARC determined the MLGCC qualifications were sufficient for SWARC to award licenses to the 17 entities established in the state legislation. The process between the MCGCC and SWARC is ongoing, but there is some urgency to get the licenses approved, according to MLGCC Director John Martin.
“We’ve approved five facilities and our work is ongoing,” he said. “We’ll continue sending applications to the SWARC so that we can make awards and sports wagering can launch by late fall. It’s what the public wants and expects, and we’re doing everything we can to deliver it.”