Commanders get closer to obtaining sports betting license at FedEx Field

Dan Snyder, the owner of the Washington Commanders, took a significant step forward Wednesday toward obtaining a license that will allow him to create a sportsbook at FedEx Field.

Snyder’s license was approved by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency by a 6-1 vote. Long Shots, a sports bar in Frederick, and Chesapeake Gaming, which operates an off-track betting operation in Boonsboro, also received licenses by the same margin.

John Mooney, the managing director of Regulatory Oversight for the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency had this to say:

“Several noteworthy issues involving the Washington Commanders, formally known as the Washington Football Team and the Washington Redskins, and the owner, Mr. Snyder, were identified.

 

During the meeting, the issues involving Mr. Synder and the Washington Commanders were discussed. Staff is unable to substantiate any of the allegations against Mr. Snyder.

 

The applicant satisfies the standard for financial stability, integrity, and responsibility in connection with a sports wagering facility license application.” 

The three license applications that have been granted will now be sent to Maryland’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission, which has the last say on sports betting licenses.

The panel is set to convene on Wednesday, August 17, and may consider the licenses at that time, though no agenda has been released.

To present, the sports wagering review commission has not rejected any of the lottery agency’s licensing applications. If they don’t start right away, the Commanders will very certainly create a sports betting lounge within the stadium, comparable to Capital One Arena and Nationals Park.

The Arizona Cardinals are the only other NFL team with a similar arrangement. The Baltimore Ravens are likewise permitted by Maryland law to open a sports betting lounge at their stadium, albeit they have not done so as quickly.

The league allows the lounges to be on stadium land or even next to the stadiums, but teams are not permitted to have betting kiosks or windows inside stadium concourses.