The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission issued an online sports wagering operator license to Hillside (Maryland) LLC, operating as bet365, allowing the company to provide a mobile platform in partnership with Riverboat on the Potomac in Charles County. The license followed a successful controlled demonstration on Aug. 28, where customers placed live wagers while commission staff verified compliance with procedures and system functionality.
Riverboat on the Potomac, a sports wagering licensee, previously partnered with PointsBet for mobile betting from Nov. 23, 2022, until Jan. 30, 2024, when PointsBet sold its U.S. operations to Fanatics. The venue continues to offer retail sports wagering through Fanatics. With bet365’s addition, Maryland now has 12 mobile or online sportsbooks and 13 retail locations. A full list of licensees is available on the commission’s website.
bet365 launched its mobile sportsbook in Maryland on Aug. 30, 2025, marking its entry into the state’s market. The company, founded in 2000 in the United Kingdom, has expanded globally and now operates in 15 U.S. states, including recent launches in Tennessee and Illinois earlier in 2025. bet365 offers betting on a range of sports, including professional and college events, with features such as live streaming and in-play wagering. In the U.S., the operator has focused on partnerships with local entities to comply with state regulations, securing market access through agreements like the one with Riverboat on the Potomac.
Riverboat on the Potomac, located on a pier in the Potomac River within Charles County jurisdiction, serves as a multifaceted venue for off-track betting, Keno, Maryland Lottery games, and events. The facility, physically situated off Colonial Beach, Virginia, but under Maryland oversight, has been a community fixture since its establishment. In July 2025, its managing partners announced $50,000 in community benefit grants to local nonprofits, highlighting its role in supporting Charles County organizations through initiatives like the inaugural Riverboat Community Awards Ceremony. The venue’s sports wagering operations began in 2022 with a retail sportsbook launch in partnership with PointsBet, which included a 10-year agreement for both online and in-person betting.
Maryland’s sports wagering program, legalized in May 2021 following a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned a federal ban, has seen steady growth. Retail betting launched in December 2021, with mobile wagering following in November 2022. The state imposes a 15% tax on gross sports wagering revenue, with proceeds directed to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public education programs. In July 2025, sports wagering generated $7.2 million in contributions to the state, part of a broader $364 million handle for the month, reflecting a 9.2% increase from July 2024.
For fiscal year 2025, ending June 30, 2025, Maryland’s lottery, casinos, and sports wagering collectively contributed $1.589 billion to state programs, including education, public health, and safety. Sports wagering alone delivered $88.9 million, a 47.4% rise from the previous fiscal year, with mobile operators accounting for the majority of the revenue. This growth has benefited Southern Maryland counties, including Charles, where facilities like Riverboat on the Potomac contribute to local economies through jobs and tourism. The venue’s location draws visitors from nearby areas, supporting small businesses and community events in the region.
State officials have emphasized the importance of using licensed platforms, especially as football season begins, to ensure consumer protections and tax revenue stays within Maryland. Illegal offshore betting remains a concern, prompting coalitions to advocate for stricter enforcement. In May 2025, sports wagering added $7.7 million to the Blueprint Fund, pushing the fiscal year’s total to $79.7 million at that point. June followed with $9.2 million, closing out the year strongly.
The expansion of operators like bet365 aligns with Maryland’s competitive market, which includes major players such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. The state’s framework allows up to 60 mobile licenses and 30 Class B retail licenses, awarded through a process managed by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission. This structure aims to promote diversity and equity in the industry, as seen in partnerships with minority-owned businesses like Riverboat on the Potomac, which is 100% minority and majority woman-owned.
In Charles County, where the population relies on state funding for schools and infrastructure, these contributions help maintain services. For instance, gaming revenue supports initiatives in education and public safety, averaging $4.35 million per day statewide in fiscal year 2023, according to earlier reports. As bet365 integrates into the market, it offers new options for bettors while bolstering state coffers.
Maryland’s gambling laws have evolved from strict prohibitions to a regulated industry generating significant revenue. Early restrictions gave way to expansions like video lottery terminals in 2008 and table games in 2012, setting the stage for sports wagering. By November 2024, the state had seen nearly $2.48 billion in sports betting handle, underscoring the sector’s economic role. Legislation in 2025 considered further expansions, such as online casino games, though outcomes remain pending.
The commission continues to monitor operations to ensure integrity, with monthly revenue reports detailing handle, hold percentages, and contributions. In January 2025, sports wagering yielded $8.2 million, the fourth-highest monthly total since launch. Cumulative contributions surpassed $100 million by September 2024, reflecting sustained momentum.