In evaluating an application for the award of a license, SWARC will consider all information concerning the applicant, including information concerning its officers, principals, affiliates, online sports wagering operator, or other representatives, based upon the following criteria, in no particular order and with no particular weight assigned:

1. A. Experience, business ability, and track record that evidences the applicant’s, or the applicant’s identified sports wagering operator’s, ability to establish and operate a successful sports wagering operation;
2. B. Demonstrated ability to comply with applicable sports wagering laws and regulations, including regulatory compliance in other jurisdictions and past cooperation with regulatory authorities;
3. C. Demonstrated culture of and investments in responsible gaming programs, and an effective governance and compliance program;
4. D. Demonstrated financial stability, resources, integrity, and business ability and acumen and applicant’s ability to compete in the Maryland sports wagering market;
5. E. If an applicant sought investors, evidence of applicant’s serious, good-faith efforts to solicit and interview a reasonable number of minority and women investors and whether or not any of those investors have purchased an equity share in the applicant;
6. F. The maximization of sports wagering revenues, including projected proceeds to the State;
7. G. Ability to commence sports wagering operations within a reasonable period of time after the award of the license;
8. H. The extent to which the proposed sports wagering operation preserves existing Maryland jobs and creates new Maryland jobs;
9. I. The anticipated wages and benefits for new Maryland jobs that would be created;
10. J. Demonstrated willingness and commitment to make investments in Maryland;

11. K. For facility licenses:

    1. (1) Whether the proposed facility is located within an opportunity zone or an enterprise zone;
    2. (2) The extent to which the proposed facility encourages Maryland wagering participants to remain in the State when placing sports wagers; and
    3. (3) The extent to which the proposed facility will attract out-of-State visitors;
12. L. Whether the applicant’s proposed sports wagering business would appeal to a unique market;
13. M. Responsiveness of the applicant to requests of SWARC and Commission;
14. N. Whether an award of the license is in the public interest and is consistent with the purposes of the sports wagering law; and
15. O. Any other criteria deemed by SWARC to be in the public interest and consistent with the sports wagering law.

Authority: State Government Article, Title 9, Subtitles 1A and 1E, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01—.19 adopted as an emergency provision effective September 2, 2022 (49:20 Md. R. 912); adopted permanently effective November 14, 2022 (49:23 Md. R. 998)

Regulation .20 adopted as an emergency provision effective December 12, 2023 (50:26 Md. R 1130); adopted permanently effective May 27, 2024 (51:10 Md. R. 529)