Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder took a big step Wednesday toward obtaining a license that will allow him to open a sportsbook at FedEx Field.
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency voted 6-1 to approve Snyder’s license. Licenses were also approved by the same margin for Long Shots, a sports bar in Frederick, and Chesapeake Gaming, an off-track bookmaker in Boonsboro.
“Several notable issues were identified with the Washington Commanders (officially known as the Washington Football Team and the Washington Redskins) and owner Mr. Snyder,” said John Mooney, executive director of regulatory oversight for the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control. agency.
He said Snyder was interviewed on June 8 about problems with his team management.
“The meeting discussed matters related to Mr. Snyder and the commanders in Washington,” Mooney said. “Staff cannot substantiate any of the allegations against Mr. Snyder.”
Mooney said that after a thorough background investigation, which included a review of Snyder’s financial background and business operations, “the applicant meets the standards of financial stability, integrity and responsibility in connection with the application for a sports betting license.”
Just before the commission’s vote, Snyder thanked lottery officials who oversee the application process, as well as leaders from Prince George’s County, where FedEx Field is located.
“We’ve done a major upgrade to the stadium,” Snyder said. “We encourage everyone to come out to see all the changes we’ve made to the stadium this year. I think it’s going to be pretty impressive.”
He predicted an increase in attendance now that “we finally have a quarterback.”
The three approved license applications now go to the Maryland Sports Betting Application Review Commission, which has the final say on sports betting licenses.
The panel is expected to meet next Wednesday and may take up the licenses then, although an agenda has not yet been released.
To date, the Sports Betting Review Commission has not rejected any license application approved by the Lottery Agency. Assuming they don’t start now, the Commanders will likely open a sportsbook at the stadium, similar to Capital One Arena and Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
Among NFL teams, the only franchise with a similar structure is the Arizona Cardinals. Maryland law also allows the Baltimore Ravens to open a sportsbook in their stadium, though they haven’t moved as quickly to do so.
League rules allow waiting rooms to be located on stadium property or even adjacent to the stadium, but teams may not place betting kiosks or betting windows on the stadium fields themselves.
As part of Maryland Matters’ content sharing agreement with WTOP, we’re featuring this article by John Domen. Click here to view the WTOP News website.
