With sports betting expanding across the country, what is the best Maryland sports betting in 2024? This sports betting guide will help you understand the rules and how to bet on sports in Maryland.
This includes laws, the variety of Maryland online sportsbooks, the number of events you can bet on, and more! This article will give you an advantage to win big in the state.
Let’s start with how and when sports betting became legal in Maryland.
Key Takeaways
- Discover all the online and retail Maryland sportsbooks.
- Learn about the legislation of the online sports betting market in Maryland.
- Stay tuned for the US state’s latest news with our up-to-date guide: all you need to know about online sports betting in Maryland is here!
Is Sports Betting Legal in Maryland?
Yes! As of May 2021, sports betting in Maryland is legal. The process started in November 2020 when Maryland residents voted on a referendum to legalize sports betting, where two-thirds of the votes were in favor of passing the referendum.
The first permits for retail betting were passed in November 2021 and in-person sports betting began the next month in December. One year later, in November 2022, online sports betting began in Maryland with 10 licenses awarded to different sites.
The road to making Governor Larry Hogan’s bill a reality was a long and arduous one, with some bureaucratic hurdles:
This process took longer than it should have, but we are excited that this launch is in time for fans to place their bets on all the Thanksgiving Day NFL action. This includes college football rivalry weekend, this week’s slate of NBA games, the 2022 World Cup, and this Sunday’s Ravens and Commanders games.
Governor Hogan
A part of Hogan’s bill was to create a committee to facilitate the applications and regulations of the licenses for sports betting. This committee, called the Sports Wagering Applications Review Commission (SWARC), encountered several delays in their work, therefore pushing back the rollout of licenses and getting the operation off the ground.
→ Click here to find out all the other US states where you can bet on sports online too.
10 Quick Facts About Maryland’s Sports Betting Laws
Sportsbooks in Maryland offer a robust and dynamic betting portrait, catering to fans of major sports and providing both retail and online sports betting options.
The following key points highlight the essential facts of sports betting in the state for bettors in Maryland:
- Legal Status: Maryland legalized sports betting in May 2021.
- Retail Betting: Retail sportsbooks opened in December 2021.
- Online Betting: Online sports betting launched in November 2022.
- Regulating Body: The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency oversees sports betting operations.
- Licensing: Maryland offers licenses for both retail and online sportsbooks.
- Age Requirement: Bettors must be at least 21 years old to place a bet.
- Tax Rate: The state imposes a 15% tax on sports betting revenue.
- Betting Markets: Maryland sports bettors can wager on professional and collegiate sports, with some restrictions on college betting.
- Mobile Apps: Major operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM are available.
- Revenue Allocation: A portion of sports betting revenue supports public education funding in Maryland.
How to Bet on Sports in Maryland
Maryland offers a various sports betting world, accommodating both digital and physical preferences for bettors. Here’s how you can get started with legal sports betting in Maryland, whether you prefer an online betting site or a retail sportsbook.
Online Sports Betting in Maryland
To get started with online betting, you can choose popular platforms like Caesars Sportsbook and FanDuel. Creating an account is simple, and you can deposit funds and start betting quickly. The user-friendly design of these online sports betting apps and sites in Maryland makes the process straightforward and allows you to get creative with your bets.
How to bet on sports online?
- Connect to your favorite betting app in Maryland
- Create a bettor’s account by providing all the required information
- Select your welcome offer sports betting (if applicable)
- Make your first deposit by picking from the available payment methods
- Choose your event, your sport and your preferred betting option
- Place your bets!
In-Person & Retail Sports Betting in Maryland
For those who prefer a physical location, Maryland has several retail sports betting sites. BetMGM Sportsbook in Oxen Hill and ESPN Bet at the Hollywood Casino in Perryville are excellent options.
How to bet on sports on a retail Maryland betting site?
At these locations, you can place bets at the counter while enjoying the lively atmosphere. Multiple screens display the latest odds and spreads, ensuring you have the most current information.
Whether you prefer the convenience of an online betting site or the experience of a retail sportsbook, Maryland provides some of the best sports betting platforms for all types of bettors. As one local bettor shared,
Betting in Maryland is seamless and fun, whether online or in-person.
Top Maryland Sports Betting Sites and Apps
Let’s further check the best Maryland sportsbooks. Among them, you can find my personal favorite Maryland sportsbook: Caesars!
Caesars Sportsbook
| Bookie Name | Caesars |
| Recommended Markets | NBA, NFL, Soccer, MLB, Tennis, Golf |
| Welcome offer | Cashback bonus up to $1000 |
| Rating | 4.9/5 |
As mentioned, Caesars Sportsbook is one of the top-ranked in the state. Caesars has a great Loyalty Rewards Program that long-time users can cash in on. Currently, when you sign up with Caesars, use the promo code PLAYMD100, and you are eligible to receive a free bet of up to $1000.
BetMGM Sportsbook
| Bookie Name | BetMGM |
| Recommended Markets | NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, Rugby |
| Welcome offer | Bonus bets up to $1500 |
| Rating | 4.7/5 |
Next, BetMGM also provides bonus bets of up to $1500 if your first bet does not win after signing up with the promo code PLAYMD. BetMGM gives ultimate flexibility, with users being able to edit open bets.
FanDuel Sportsbook
| Bookie Name | FanDuel |
| Recommended Markets | Horse racing, NFL, NBA, MLB |
| Welcome offer | $150 in Bonus Bets |
| Rating | 4.8/5 |
A third bookmaker who is worth making an account with is FanDuel which is one of the mainstays in sports betting and offers tons of different betting types including daily fantasy and same-game parlays. A new sign-up can get up to $150 in bonus bets after a $10 deposit and a minimum first bet of $5.
FanDuel’s intuitive and smooth mobile app also makes it an attractive option with the ability to bet from anywhere, anytime, with no hassle.
Popular Sports Teams in Maryland
Maryland is home to three major professional sports teams:
- The Baltimore Ravens
- The Washington Commanders of the National Football League
- The Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball
- The Ravens have won two Superbowls since moving to Baltimore from Cleveland, OH in 2000 and are one of the better franchises in the league.
- The Commanders have existed since 1932 and have won three Superbowls, the most recent coming in 1991, playing in Landover, MD.
- The Orioles are a storied baseball team with a rich history of great players, including Cal Ripkin Jr, Eddie Murray, Brooks Robinson, and Earl Weaver. The Orioles have three World Series Championships, most recently in 1983.
Popular Sports Players in Maryland
One popular player in Maryland is Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who ranked top 10 in the highest salary for any athlete in the world, earning $100 million in 2024.
Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman and shortstop Gunnar Henderson are just a few of the young stars in baseball and are a major factor in the Orioles’ resurgence as a top team in the league in the last two years. Rutschman finished 2023 with the 20th highest sold jersey.
The fourth professional sports team is the Maryland Whipsnakes of the Premier Lacrosse League. Lacrosse is big-time in Maryland, and the Whipsnakes have won two championships in the PLL’s short six-year history (founded in 2018).
The college landscape in Maryland is minimal but includes a Big Ten school at the University of Maryland, with high-level football and basketball programs.
The Impact of Local Teams on Sports Betting
Having two NFL teams in the state makes sports betting even more entertaining for Marylanders, and the rise of the Baltimore Orioles makes baseball season all the more interesting.
April 2024’s $483.6 million handle in the state is the highest in a non-football month since Maryland launched sports betting. The previous month in March had a $536.7 million handle across retail and online betting, a $100 million increase from February.
Even though two state schools competed in the NCAA tournaments and lost in their first game (Howard University in the men’s and the University of Maryland in the women’s), the handle continued to grow in the state.
The recent development of sports betting in Maryland makes it somewhat immune to the performance of local teams so far. It is clear that sports betting is at its peak in the state during the NFL season, with October 2023 to December 2023 and December 2022 being the four highest months in handle per person.
The Commanders and Ravens presence certainly helps those numbers, but the NFL is king across the country. Even though Maryland has a baseball team in the Orioles, the betting handle dips in the summer months because of the lower volume of sports.
Upcoming Events
In May 2024, baseball season is well underway. NBA is deep into the playoffs and horse racing in Maryland is running for the spring season.
Are There More Gambling Options in Maryland?
Let’s see together the other activities than legal Maryland sports betting :
- Maryland has a lottery where you can purchase scratch-off tickets to win prizes. The state also has the Powerball and Mega Millions lottery games.
- Maryland has three racetracks: Pimlico in Baltimore, Laurel Park in Laurel and Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington.
- Maryland has six full-service casinos that hold sportsbooks too.
Maximizing Your Bets
You can have all the information about Maryland sports betting apps or Maryland sports betting promos, but understanding your betting strategy and the taxes on winnings will ensure success.
Tips and Strategies for Maryland Bettors
Avoid Chasing Losses: One crucial skill in sports betting is avoiding the urge to chase losses. Chasing happens when you try to recover your losses by placing more bets, often resulting in even greater losses. While it might occasionally work, more often than not, it leads to more significant setbacks.
To prevent this, approach each bet with a clear mind and move on from previous losses. This helps you avoid big losses that are tough to recover from and keeps your betting decisions rational and less emotionally driven. Chasing also detracts from thorough research, increasing the chances of making poor decisions or missing out on better odds.
Use Consistent Units: Another effective strategy is to bet with consistent units. A unit is the amount of money you place on a bet, which can range from $1 to $1000, depending on your bankroll. Keeping your bets consistent helps create stability in your betting approach.
While you can occasionally place two or three units on bets you feel confident about, maintaining one unit for most bets adds a layer of protection. This approach ensures you manage your bankroll wisely and reduces the risk of significant losses.
By avoiding the temptation to chase losses and sticking to consistent units, you’ll set yourself up for a more controlled and successful betting experience.
Understanding Taxes and Payouts
It is important to understand how taxes work on betting winnings in Maryland to ensure you maximize your winnings. State income tax in Maryland ranges from 2% to 5.75% in addition to local tax rates which can range from 2.25% to 3.2%.
There are certain events where you would need to report your winnings to the IRS, which may include:
- $1200+ slots or bingo win
- $1500+ keno win
- $5000+ poker prizes
- $600+ on other bets with payouts 300 times the amount of the original bet
- On betting apps, the threshold for withholding your winnings is $5000
What About Physical Sports Betting Locations?
Beyond Maryland online sports betting, there are six in-person sports betting locations at casinos throughout the state. These brick-and-mortar sites, along with several betting lounges, offer a relaxed atmosphere and a top-notch viewing experience for sports bettors who live in Maryland.
- The Green Turtle Bar and Restaurant operates the betPARX sportsbook in Baltimore and Towson.
- While the Horseshoe Casino in downtown Baltimore hosts Caesars Sportsbook.
- Additionally, sports enthusiasts can place bets in person at stadiums, with Fanatics at FedEx Field and SuperBook at Camden Yards.
These physical venues enhance the vibrant online Maryland betting scene, providing diverse options for wagering on college sports and more, all under the oversight of a legal sports betting license.
So, Will You Bet on Maryland Tonight?
Choose one of the numerous options to sports bet in Maryland tonight to begin your sports betting journey! Whether that be heading to the casino after work or making mobile bets at home, make sure to take advantage of the promos and deals Maryland has to offer.
Do you want to learn more about sports betting and win big? Be sure to head to our Betting 101 section!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sports betting legal in Maryland?
Yes, sports betting is legal in Maryland. It was officially launched in Maryland with the first bets being placed in December 2021.
What online sportsbook apps are available in Maryland?
Mobile sports betting is live in Maryland, so all local sports bettors can choose from several online sportsbook apps, including BetMGM Maryland, DraftKings Maryland, and Caesars Sportsbook Maryland. These mobile apps offer a wide range of betting options, including live betting and betting on college sports.
Can I bet on college sports in Maryland?
Yes, you can bet on college sports in Maryland. Both in-state and out-of-state college games are available for gambling, allowing bettors to engage with their favorite college teams and events.
Are there other legal gambling activities in the state of Maryland?
While online casino gaming is not yet available, daily fantasy sports are popular in Maryland. Many sports betting operators, such as DraftKings Maryland, also offer daily fantasy sports, allowing players to participate in fantasy leagues and contests.
Who regulates sports betting in Maryland?
The Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency regulates all sports betting activities in the state. This includes issuing licenses to each sports betting operator, overseeing both physical and online sportsbooks, and ensuring fair play and compliance with state laws.