Section 9-1E-17 - Independent evaluators to evaluate and rate sports wagering content(a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.(2) "Content partner" means an individual who or a platform that creates sports wagering content for a sports wagering licensee through contracted work, affiliation, or other partnership.(3) "Sports wagering content" means predictions of sporting event outcomes, including moneylines, against the spread, totals, futures, parlays, and other outcomes, whether provided at no cost or through a subscription or other partnership.(4) "Sports wagering expert" or "sports wagering influencer" means a person who creates sports wagering content for a sports wagering licensee, a content partner, or the person's own benefit.(b)(1) The Commission shall license independent evaluators to evaluate and rate sports wagering content provided by sports wagering experts, sports wagering influencers, and content partners.(2) In order to be licensed under paragraph (1) of this subsection, an independent evaluator: (i) shall have demonstrated experience and expertise in evaluating and rating sports wagering content;(ii) shall have an audit process constructed and maintained by in-house, licensed certified public accountants;(iii) shall have evaluation and rating procedures that are unable to be adjusted, duplicated, or altered by the persons subject to evaluation;(iv) may not have any direct or indirect financial interest, ownership, or management, including holding any stocks, bonds, or other similar financial interests in any sports wagering activities;(v) may not receive or share in, directly or indirectly, the receipts or proceeds of any sports wagering activities; and(vi) may not have any revenue-sharing relationship with or other financial interest in a sports wagering licensee or sports wagering operator.(3) An employee or a principal of an independent evaluator, or the independent evaluator as an entity, may not wager on a sporting event.(4)(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, an independent evaluator may not be compensated by a sports wagering licensee or sports wagering operator that utilizes the independent evaluator's evaluation services solely for marketing materials.(ii) An independent evaluator may be compensated by a sports wagering licensee or sports wagering operator for its evaluation and rating of sports wagering content.(5) The Commission may establish additional qualifications for the licensing of independent evaluators in accordance with this subsection.(c) The Commission shall adopt regulations to implement this section.(d) A sports wagering licensee or sports wagering operator that advertises in the State may contract with an independent evaluator licensed under subsection (b) of this section to evaluate and rate the sports wagering licensee's sports wagering content, sports wagering experts, sports wagering influencers, and content partners.Added by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 638, Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2023.