A bill that would require Maryland’s Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to instate independent evaluators to assess sports betting content has been signed by the state’s Governor.
Governor Wes Moore approved bill SB621, which will become effective on July 1 2023. Maryland’s sports betting market opened on November 23 2022.
The content assessed by the evaluators will be that produced by sports betting experts, influencers and content partners.
Along with the independent evaluators, the bill also allows the Commission and Maryland’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) to consider an amendment to a Class B-2 sports wagering facility license application. This would allow alterations to the proposed facility location.
The bill was sponsored by Senators Craig Zucker and Shelly Hettleman.
Higher education bill
A second bill, also related to sports betting, was approved by Maryland’s Governor.
Senate Bill 620 will ban higher education institutions such as colleges from partnering with operators and marketing firms if the college receives compensation for students participating in sports betting.
The bill was first read in the senate on February 6.
Contracts created by higher education institutions, like colleges, will be subject to public inspection, as is outlined in Maryland’s Public Information Act.