Betfred is leaving Maryland’s sports betting market, it was shared at Thursday’s Maryland Lottery meeting. While one online operator is leaving the state, two new operators (VSC and Bally Bet) are expected to soon enter the state’s digital sports betting marketplace.

Betfred had been partnered with Long Shot’s in Frederick, but both the retail and online sportsbooks will cease operations by the end of July. The retail sportsbook will close on June 30, with the online sportsbook closing on July 31.

The mobile sports betting app struggled to gain meaningful traction in Maryland, recording a May handle below $500,000. For comparison, FanDuel accepted $195.2 million worth of online bets in Maryland last month.

New Entrants

While Betfred plans to leave Maryland, Veterans Services Corporation (VSC) plans to enter into the market on July 1. VSC, which is operated through Bee-Fee Limited, went through a controlled demonstration with the lottery on May 24. It plans to begin accepting wagers statewide at the start of next month.

Bally Bet is expected to soon follow with its launch in Maryland, according to Maryland Lottery officials. Bally Bet’s launch is expected in July, shortly after the betting’s app expected June launch in Massachusetts.

Betr is seeking online sports betting licensure in Maryland as well, with the operator needing approval from the state’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission before moving to a controlled demonstration.

The SWARC will meet next week, marking the commission’s first meeting since October of 2023. It’s possible that Betr receives the next step of approval for its mobile license at that meeting, although an official meeting agenda has yet to be shared.