"State law says the Maryland Racing Commission can permit telephone account wagering that is run under the auspices of a Maryland licensee," Schertle said. "TVG has a contract with the MJC, which is licensed."Schertle said he is not aware whether TVG's legality may be challenged by another state agency. He said the assistant attorney general working with the commission ran the issue through the state's Attorney General's office and no other problems were raised.TVG became available in the Baltimore area through Comcast's digital cable system on June 29. Baltimore was the first metropolitan area outside Kentucky to offer TVG on cable television. The horseracing network and wagering service is now available in 11 states.
The Television Games Network can legally handle account wagers in Maryland, according to the state racing commission.The Maryland Racing Commission raised questions about TVG in October and asked the Maryland Jockey Club, which owns and operates Laurel Park and Pimlico Racecourse, to show how its agreement with the 24-hour racing network complies with state law. TVG and the MJC submitted legal documents to the commission last week that defended their compliance, and the racing commission accepted nearly all their explanations, according to Ken Schertle, executive director for the racing commission.