WATCH LIVE: MGM National Harbor To Open First Sportsbook In Maryland On Thursday, Hogan Will Place First Bet

OXON HILL, Md. (WJZ) — MGM National Harbor Casino has officially been issued the state’s archetypal sports wagering licence and volition unfastened to the nationalist connected Thursday.

Gov. Larry Hogan is expected to spot the archetypal stake successful the authorities astir 12:45 p.m. Legendary Washington backmost Joe Theismann is scheduled to look astatine the sportsbook’s opening, arsenic are Prince George’s County Council seat Calvin Hawkins and representatives from BetMGM.

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The opening ceremonial begins astatine 12:30 p.m.

“Today marks the culmination of years of effort to get sports betting up and moving present successful the State of Maryland,” the politician said. “In summation to allowing Marylanders to stake connected the NFL, March Madness, and more, sports betting volition besides assistance to support much dollars in-state and volition supply different captious gross root for nationalist acquisition without raising taxes connected families and tiny businesses.”

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MGM National Harbor completed 2 days of controlled demonstrations nether the supervision of Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff. Horseshoe Casino successful Baltimore
and Live! Casino & Hotel successful Hanover are expected to unfastened sportsbooks connected Friday aft finishing their ain controlled demonstrations.

“It’s hard to overstate however breathtaking this infinitesimal is; we couldn’t beryllium happier to spot sports wagering get started,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin. “It’s a caller signifier of amusement that we cognize Marylanders volition enjoy, but much importantly, it’s delivering a caller watercourse of gross for nationalist acquisition successful the state. We’re particularly arrogant of that.”

Sportsbooks successful the authorities volition lend 15% of their gross toward acquisition funding. The General Assembly’s Department of Legislative Services estimates casinos volition supply betwixt $15 cardinal to $25 cardinal per twelvemonth for schools, according to the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.

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CBSN Baltimore volition transportation Hogan’s remarks live.

CBS Baltimore Staff