Leading sports betting companies, eager to gain footholds in the growing Maryland market, asked the state to roll back rules intended to safeguard bettors from misleading promotional offers, according to documents obtained by The Baltimore Sun in a public records request.
The state records show mobile sportsbooks, which began operating in Maryland just over six months ago, sought this spring to significantly enhance their ability to offer a variety of splashy inducements, such as free or discounted bets to lure new customers. Such promotions — often advertised in oversized or bold lettering — are popular with bettors. But the fine print is subject to scrutiny from state regulators for restrictions that make them less advantageous than they might appear at first glance.
