Maryland sports betting was approved by voters on November 3, 2020. Question 2, the Sports Betting Expansion Measure, passed 67 to 33. This authorized the Maryland General Assembly to allow the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to license sports betting operations under rules set by the legislature.
Retail and Online Sportsbooks in the United States
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Maryland mobile and online sportsbooks
Mobile and online sportsbooks opened for an eight-hour period on November 21, 2022. These sites were relaunched at 9am on November 23, 2022. Online sports betting is now a permanent fixture in Maryland.
Sports bettors must be at least 21 years old. Bets must be made within Maryland state lines where geolocation services are available. Accounts may be made on phones or websites. So, there is no need to go to the casino to bet on sports. Deposits and withdrawals are made securely directly on the app.
There are many bonus offers available to Maryland sports bettors. Here is a sample from our sports betting partners.
BetMGM
The BetMGM Sportsbook is already open at MGM National Harbor. Sports wagers may also be placed online and through the mobile app. New players may be eligible for the welcome offer below. Read more details in our BetMGM review.
BetRivers
BetRivers opened its Maryland retail sportsbook on August 2, 2022. It is partnered with Bingo World in Baltimore. A welcome offer is available for qualifying new players. Read more in our BetRivers review.
Caesars
The Caesars Sportsbook operates at Horseshoe Baltimore. It also has a mobile betting app. New players may be eligible for the below offer. See more details in our Caesars Sportsbook review.
DraftKings
DraftKings does not have a retail sportsbook in Maryland. However, sports wagers may be placed online or using the mobile app. Its partner is the Baltimore Ravens. DraftKings also operates a daily fantasy sports site. New sports bettors may be eligible for a welcome bonus. You can find out more in our DraftKings review.
FanDuel
FanDuel operates the sportsbook at Live! Casino Maryland and a daily fantasy sports site. It also has a mobile and online sports betting site in Maryland. A new player bonus is available for qualifying players. Its promotions change often and may be larger to help draw new Maryland players. We have more details in our FanDuel review.
Sportsbooks in Maryland
Maryland’s first sportsbook opened at MGM National Harbor on December 9, 2021. It is branded as BetMGM. The pictures of it below were provided by the company:
On December 10, 2021, the Caesars Sportsbook at Horseshoe Casino Baltimore opened. The FanDuel Sportsbook at Live! Casino Maryland opened the same day. The TwinSpires Sportsbook opened at Ocean Downs on December 17, 2021.
The Barstool Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino Perryville held its grand opening on December 23, 2021. Rocky Gap Resort has yet to apply for a sports betting license. It is the only Maryland casino without a sportsbook.
The BetRivers sportsbook at Bingo World opened on August 2, 2022. On September 9, 2022, PointsBet launched its sportsbook on The Riverboat on the Potomac. It later became a Fanatics sportsbook.
Other recently approved retail sportsbook locations include Chesapeake Gaming at the Boonsboro OTB, Betfreds at Long Shots OTB in Frederick and Hagerstown, Greenmount Station, Michaels on the South River, and Maryland Stadium Sub which is expected to operate at FedEx Field.
When did mobile sports betting launch in Maryland?
It is no secret that Maryland online sports betting launched well after predicted. The original timeline for this was by the Super Bowl in 2022. It was then pushed back to the second half of 2022. The official start date was November 23, 2022. There was also a testing period on November 21 from 2pm to 10pm.
What does the Maryland sports betting law do?
Rules were enacted under HB 940, which amended part of the state’s fantasy sports laws. It was drafted as an emergency bill, meaning that it went into effect upon signing by the governor.
HB 940 easily passed both houses, including unanimously in the Senate. It was then signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan on May 18, 2021.
The hope was that sportsbooks in Maryland would open by the kickoff of the 2021 football season. Unfortunately, there were delays that set that date back months.
HB 940 gives the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission the power to license sports betting operations. Casinos, racetracks, simulcast racing establishments, commercial bingo operations with at least 200 machines, and professional sports teams and venues are among the types of businesses that may be licensed to accept sports bets in Maryland. Some licenses are restricted by location and require a bidding process.
Maryland sportsbook rules
Maryland sports bettors must be at least 21 years old. The tax rate is 15% of gross gaming revenues, in addition to the federal excise tax on handle.
College betting is permitted, including on in-state teams. Unlike other states, there are no restrictions on these wagers.
The types of bets specifically allowed under Maryland sports betting law are single-game, teasers, parlays, over/under, money-line, futures pools, exchange wagering, in-game, in-play, propositions, and straight bets.
There are a few types of bets that are specifically banned. No wagers may be accepted on “injuries, penalties, the outcome of a player disciplinary ruling, replay reviews, any other types or forms or wagering that are contrary to public policy or unfair to bettors.”
There can be up to 60 mobile licenses in the state. This means Maryland may have one of the largest selections of online sports betting in the world when this segment finishes launching.
Online sportsbooks in Maryland offer bonuses to players. Some may be the best bonuses available to sports bettors. These offers can change without notice. Some bets and players may be excluded. We recommend always reading the bonus terms and conditions.
Approved sports wagers in Maryland
Wagers on most professional sports leagues and NCAA sports are approved. Similar to other states, bets on high school sports and equivalent level clubs are prohibited.
Events approved by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) include Australian Rules Football, badminton, baseball, basketball, biathlon, bowling, boxing, chess, cornhole, cricket, darts, disc, eating competitions, e-sports, floorball, football, futsal, Gaelic games, golf, handball, hockey (ice and field), jai-alai, lacrosse, MMA, motorsports, netball, Olympics, pesäpallo, pickleball, pool, rodeo, rowing, rugby league, rugby union, sailing, snooker, soccer, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, and water polo. Additional sports are permitted as summer and winter athletic events.
Maryland online sportsbook FAQ
When did Maryland sports betting launch?
The first Maryland sportsbook opened on December 9, 2021. Online sports betting launched on November 23, 2022.
When did mobile and online sports betting start in Maryland?
Mobile and online sportsbooks in Maryland had their grand opening on November 23, 2022.
How old must Maryland sports bettors be?
All sports bettors in Maryland must be at least 21 years old.
Is betting on college sports legal in Maryland?
All college sports, including Maryland teams, are permitted to be on the boards at the state’s sportsbooks.
Which types of sports bets are legal in Maryland?
Straight bets, props, totals, money lines, parlays, futures, teasers, and most other common sports bets are legal in Maryland.
Last Updated on August 5, 2023 by John Mehaffey