Maryland Sports Betting Guide 2024

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Online sports betting is legal in Maryland, offering a great opportunity for residents and visitors to place bets on their favorite sports and teams. Our comprehensive 2024 guide will help you navigate the Maryland sports betting landscape, providing key insights into the legal aspects and the top Maryland online sportsbooks.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Discover the best online sportsbooks available in Maryland.
• Understand the legislation shaping the online sports betting market in Maryland.
• Find out the latest news and insights on Maryland’s sports betting scene.

Top Maryland Sports Betting Sites and Apps

Maryland offers a lot of options for sports bettors, with 11 legal and licensed sportsbooks in the state. Here is a list of our top 5.

Quick Facts About Maryland’s Sports Betting Laws

The following key points highlight the essential facts of sports betting in the state for bettors in Maryland:

Legal MD Sports Betting Launch Date	May 2021 (retail), November 2022 (online)
State Regulator	The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency
Legal Age	21+
Number of Licensed Sportsbooks	11
Tax Rate	15% tax on sports betting revenue
Retail Betting	✅
Daily Fantasy Sports	✅
Horse Racing	✅
College Sports Betting	Betting on in-state college teams allowed; prop bets restricted as of March 2024
Help Line	1-800-426-2537

Is Sports Betting Legal in Maryland?

Yes! Sports betting is legal in Maryland as of May 2021. 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.

Fast forward to 2024, and Maryland has a list of 11 legal and licensed sportsbooks:

• Bally Bet
• BetMGM
• BetParx
• BetRivers
• Caesars Sportsbook
• Crab Sports
• DraftKings
• ESPN Bet
• Fanatics Sportsbook
• FanDuel
• Lets Bet MD

→ Click here to find out all the other US states where you can bet on sports online too.

How to Bet on Sports in Maryland

Betting on sports online in Maryland is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Select Your Sportsbook: Find a trusted platform like Caesars Sportsbook or FanDuel that offers competitive odds and promotions.

2. Create Your Profile: Sign up and input the required information to complete your account setup and verification.

3. Fund Your Account: Use secure payment options to deposit money into your betting account.

4. Pick Your Bet: Browse through events and sports, and decide on the type of bet you want to place, such as over/under or parlay.

5. Confirm Your Wager: Input your desired stake, check your selections, and confirm the bet on your chosen platform.

6. Cash Out Your Winnings: Use the sportsbook’s withdrawal options to access your earnings when you secure a win.

Popular Sports and Teams to Bet on in Maryland

Maryland is home to three major professional sports teams:

• The Baltimore Ravens: A successful NFL franchise with two Super Bowl wins since moving from Cleveland in 2000.
• The Washington Commanders: An established NFL team since 1932, with three Super Bowl victories, last winning in 1991, now based in Landover, MD.
• The Baltimore Orioles: A storied MLB team with three World Series titles, known for legendary players like Cal Ripkin Jr. and Brooks Robinson, most recently winning in 1983.

Popular Athletes 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.

Are There More Gambling Options in Maryland?

Maryland offers a variety of gambling activities for enthusiasts beyond legal sports betting:

• Retail Sports Betting: Enjoy in-person betting at locations like Caesars Sportsbook at Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, or place wagers at stadiums such as Fanatics at FedEx Field, providing a premium viewing and betting experience.
• Horse Racing: Visit one of Maryland’s three racetracks, including Pimlico in Baltimore and Laurel Park in Laurel, for thrilling live horse racing betting and action.
• Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): Engage in popular DFS contests through platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel, which allow you to join fantasy leagues and compete across a wide array of sports.
• Casino Gaming: Explore six full-service casinos across the state and play classic casino table games, slots, and many others.
• Lottery: Participate in the Maryland Lottery, with offerings like scratch-off tickets and national games such as Powerball and Mega Millions.

Tips and Strategies for Maryland Bettors

Maximize your sports betting success in Maryland with these essential tips and strategies:

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.

Maryland Sports Betting Taxes

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

So, Ready to Place Your Bets in Maryland?

Now that you know what Maryland has to offer, why not kickstart your sports betting journey in the state? Whether you’re relaxing at home or on the go, mobile betting offers unparalleled convenience and access to top-tier sportsbooks. If you’re ready to get started, just be sure to capitalize on the enticing promotions Maryland sportsbooks provide.

Frequently Asked Questions