Maryland is on the path of becoming one of the states with legal online and offline sports betting. Right now, the only legal sports betting Maryland is the one in physical casinos. Maryland online sports betting is expected to arrive during the fall of 2022. We don’t expect it to start before then, but it may even be after the fall of 2022, depending on how fast the lawmakers work. Let’s see what we can expect from Maryland sports betting online or offline in the future!
History of Laws Regarding Maryland Sports Betting
Voters were asked about their opinion regarding Maryland sports betting during the fall of 2020 and they decided they were in favor of launching it in the state with “the purpose of raising revenue for education.” The lawmakers put their heads together and devised a plan for both offline and online Maryland sports betting ventures. Gov. Larry Hogan signed the bill into law in May 2021 and it went into effect on July 1st, 2021. The bill was signed into law, but they still didn’t have enough time to launch it before the start of the 2021 NFL season.
The regulating body for all sports betting in Maryland is the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission. According to them, the rules they created will allow the state to become of the most competitive sports betting markets in the United States.
Specific Sports Betting Laws in Maryland
There will be two types of licenses in Maryland – Class A and Class B licenses. Class A licenses are only ten and they are reserved for:
- The six casinos in Maryland
- Three professional sports stadiums/teams
- Maryland Jockey Club
There could also be future Class A licenses, which will be given to big sports league teams, like the NHL, NBA, or MLS.
The next type of license is a Class B license. There will be thirty of these licenses and other businesses in the state can bid on any one of the thirty available licenses. There are seven additional licenses, which are reserved for the Maryland State Fairgrounds, two bingo halls, and four OTB facilities.
When it comes to mobile wagering, Maryland lawmakers decided on sixty mobile betting licenses. The law states that that number would be revisited as early as December 2025, if additional licenses are needed.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Maryland?
The question is very popular with the rise of the sports betting industry in the USA in the last few years and our answer is “Yes.” Retail sports betting is live and launched in several physical locations, including most of the casinos in Maryland.
The more important question you should be asking isn’t “Is Sports Betting Legal in Maryland?” but whether online sports wagering is available in the state. The answer to that question is “No.” Right now, Maryland online sports betting isn’t available, but we expect it to launch no sooner than fall 2022.
The director of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (John Martin) released a statement to “Gaming Today” and said that a 2022 online sports betting launch is likely. His hopes for mobile wagering are also ambitious with a date before the 2022 NFL season start, but we don’t have any proof of his statement, yet.
Mobile sports betting is expected to launch even further than fall 2022. Right now, we only have information that the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission asked industry stakeholders to provide feedback about the mobile market and how they think it should evolve forward. The feedback reports should have been submitted by now and we will be expecting news about the subject as soon as they make a solid decision.
Physical Sportsbooks in Maryland
Right now, there are six casinos in Maryland, and most of them have launched their physical sportsbooks. These are the casinos that launched sports betting in Maryland and it’s available there.
- BetMGM – MGM National Harbor
- FanDuel – Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland
- Caesars – Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
- Barstool – Hollywood Casino Perryville
- TwinSpires – Ocean Downs Casino
The next on the physical sportsbooks launch list are three OTB facilities, which are expected to launch soon. We also know that The University of Maryland has signed a marketing agreement with PointsBet, so we can expect them to be one of the books in the state in the future.
Retail sportsbooks in Maryland took around $16 million in bets during December last year and it was released in January’s revenue report that the number has jumped to $32.5 million.
Maryland Sports Betting Online Explained
Right now, the status of Maryland online sports betting is still non-existent, but we expect them to launch either sometime this year or early next year. Sources from the MLGCA are hopeful that it would be by fall 2022, but nothing is confirmed, yet.
Based on the mobile sports betting licenses available, according to the lawmakers, there will be many sportsbooks, customers can choose from. For example, Barstool sportsbook’s parent company Penn National acquired a casino in the state and now has a retail sportsbook, but that could also be the online sportsbook’s way to enter the market once mobile wagering is available. Other big brands that will most likely enter the market are DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, etc.
When Will Maryland Launch Online Sports Betting?
The launch date of Maryland online sports betting is still unknown. All we can give you are speculations regarding the launch. Both of the giants in sports betting in the USA, FanDuel, and DraftKings financially backed efforts supporting the passage of votes for online Maryland sports betting back in 2020, so we expect them to be one of the first to launch online once everything is available in Little America.
There is also an interesting case with PointsBet’s partnership with the Riverboat on the Potom ac. That is an off-track betting facility (OTB), which is located in Colonial Beach. That is technically part of Virginia, but the Potomac is part of Maryland, so the facility is considered to be in the Free State.
Since online wagering in the Free State isn’t available, yet, we believe that some of the big names in online betting will be 100% available once the state launches its online campaign. Here, you can read more about each of the sportsbooks that will likely launch online in the state and find out what they have to offer customers.
Maryland Online Sports Betting: 9 Sportsbooks to Expect At Launch
BetMGM Sportsbook
On November 23rd, 2022, online sports betting became available in Maryland. BetMGM was among the first Maryland sports betting sites to provide Internet-based sports wagering in the state. BetMGM Maryland, the retail sports betting shop owned by the company that operates the MGM National Harbor hotel and casino, is slated to open in Forest Heights. Gambling at MGM resorts is considered among the best in the world. This includes their Louisiana branch, which provides high-end gambling opportunities for customers from all walks of life. If you don’t win your first bet, the sportsbook is willing to give you $1,000 in bonus bets as compensation. This deal is identical to BetMGM’s $1,000 bonus play promotion in other states.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook recently acquired William Hill’s US venture and they quickly became one of the most popular sportsbooks around in many states. Caesars Sportsbook was one of the first sites to offer legal Maryland online sports betting sites. With their arrangement, Caesars becomes the “primary sports betting partner” of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. Moreover, the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore hosts a retail sportsbook run by Caesars. In the United States, Caesars is already an established name in the sports betting industry. For those who live in a state where such activities are allowed, it offers a variety of online casino games and sports betting options. It also operates a number of well-known brick-and-mortar casinos. Caesars Maryland sports betting is currently offering new customers a welcome bonus of up to $1,500 on their first wager.
FanDuel Sportsbook
In 2022, on November 23rd, Maryland online sports betting officially began. FanDuel Sportsbook was one of the first statewide legal online sports betting apps and is open to anybody over the age of 21 in the state. Before venturing into the world of sports betting and online casinos, FanDuel created a highly popular daily fantasy platform. The Cordish Companies and Live are one of FanDuel’s partners. Although FanDuel does not have any official partnerships with any Maryland-based sports franchises at this time, there are a number of brand ambassadors who promote their services. As one of the most popular sports betting sites, FanDuel Maryland offers a full suite of services via its mobile app. You can get $200 for just $5 with the FanDuel promotion, and your first wager is risk-free up to $2,500.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings is similar to FanDuel because they also started as a daily fantasy sports provider, but branched out into online and retail sports betting once it became available. They are available in fifteen different states and operate both via the web/mobile browse or a mobile application.
The state of Maryland has approved DraftKings’ sports betting platform. DraftKings Maryland, a mobile sports betting app and desktop website, launched on November 23. DraftKings’ first official collaboration was with the Baltimore Ravens, a professional football team based in the state of Maryland. When you sign up for DraftKings Maryland sports betting as a new member, you can instantly earn a $1,000 deposit bonus + $50 credit, plus $200 in wager credits for making just a $5 bet on any sport. No matter what kind of sign-up bonus you receive from DraftKings, you’ll have plenty of other advantages. Every time a gambler visits the DraftKings mobile betting app or website, they’ll find something new to try. All but the most dedicated sports bettor will find a market they like on DraftKings Maryland.
BetRivers
On November 23, 2022, Maryland sports betting market became live, and BetRivers Maryland sportsbook was one of the first businesses to launch. Any new customers who sign up at the Maryland sportsbooks and use the app will receive a $500 Second Chance Bet. BetRivers has teamed with Bingo World in order to offer an app in Maryland. The BetRivers Sportsbook lounge is now available for your retail sports betting requirements at the Baltimore bingo hall. BetRivers MD has everything going for it to be a top sportsbook in Maryland. This provider offers coverage of more sports than most, and its mobile app is packed with useful extras.
PointsBet Sportsbook
As we already mentioned, PointsBet is partnered with the OTB facility Riverboat on the Potomac. The retail version of the PointsBet sportsbook went active at the Riverboat on the Potomac in September 2022, months before the online version release. The PointsBet brand will be promoted throughout the state of Maryland thanks to the company’s many alliances. In 2020, it became NBC’s official sports betting partner and source for wagering data. PointsBet is an authorized National Football League sportsbook and an NHL betting partner. PointsBet Maryland is running a promotion wherein sportsbook patrons in the state can receive up to $500 in free wagers by placing five (2) second-chance bets of $100 each. The traditional wagering options such as futures, money lines, and live betting are all available at PointsBet Maryland online sports betting.
They are an interesting sportsbook because they offer two types of wagering. One you can bet the regular way, which is available in other books, as well, and two, you can wager via the so-called method “points betting.” You can learn more about this method on their platform, but thanks to it the welcome bonus for new customers is more than other sportsbooks.
Barstool Sportsbook
In 2020, Penn National took over the Hollywood Casino Perryville’s operations in an effort to increase its foothold in the Maryland gambling industry. When the bookmaker launched in November 2022, new users in Maryland can get $1,000 in insurance on their first bet just for joining up with Barstool Sportsbook. Everyone from novice sports bettors to seasoned pros will like using this app because of how intuitive it is. As of right now, 13 states offer access to Barstool Sports’ betting platform. Live betting is available for every major league on Barstool Sportsbook.
TwinSpires Sportsbook
Right now, TwinSpires is available in seven different states, but that number could easily be increased. The platform mainly focuses on horse racing wagering, but they also have an online sportsbook and casino ventures. They offer a user-friendly platform and have excellent customer support. New customers can get up to $10 free for only signing up to the platform, and if they wager a specific amount in the first thirty days, they can get a $200 welcome bonus. The platform is available via mobile/web browser and mobile app.
BetPARX Sportsbook
When it comes to betting on sports, betPARX is the brand-new option in Maryland. The modern bettor uses the betPARX app, which is a sportsbook. A free wager of up to $750 and entry into the loyalty club are offered to new customers. Sign up for a betPARX Maryland online sports betting account, add some money, and make your first wager to receive your risk-free wager. If you lose, they will give you a free bet of up to $750 to make up for it. It’s important to remember that the value of the free bet will not be factored into any payouts. BetParx apps are now available in New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania after the rebranding was finalized; however, the states of Maryland and Ohio are waiting for the app to officially launch.
Fanatics Sportsbook
Fanatics Sportsbook was one of 10 companies given the green light to open shop in the Free State of Maryland on November 16, 2022. Fanatics has stated that it will not be ready to debut on November 23, when many of these other operators are predicted to do so. We are still waiting to hear when the Maryland premiere of “Fanatics” will be. Fanatics was able to get its gambling license from the Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission. In this way, Fanatics Maryland sports betting sites has all the requisite rules and checks in place to safeguard its customers.
Betfred Sportsbook
Betfred MD is a top-tier bookmaker. Since 1967, it has operated retail betting shops in the United Kingdom. Today, it also boasts a robust international web presence. Betfred Maryland sports betting was able to secure a license to operate in Maryland thanks to a partnership with Long Shot’s of Frederick, an off-track horse betting establishment. It was one of ten sportsbooks licensed by the Maryland Gaming Commission on November 16th, following approval by the commission’s Sports Wagering Application Review Committee. Betfred has created a temporary retail sportsbook in Maryland in conjunction with Long Shot’s. It is expected that Betfred and Long Shot’s, subject to regulatory approval, would also introduce an online sportsbook in early 2023.
FOX Bet
FOX Bet runs a promotion for new customers, which offers a risk-free bet of up to $500. They are available in four states currently but are looking to expand very soon. If they launch in the Free State, we are sure that the state’s regulating body would give them an online license because right now there aren’t any retail partners or contracts signed with them. They are sure to be one of the top choices for online Maryland sports betting, once it’s available.
The Neighboring States with Online Sports Betting
The four states that neighbor Maryland is Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, and Virginia. All four of those states have launched some type of sports betting, whether that is online, offline, or both. Other than the neighboring states, customers can also try NY mobile sports betting or go to New Jersey if they prefer to play on their mobile devices. New York was the most recent state to launch sports betting online and they already have several bookmakers available, including BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetRivers, PointsBet, and Caesars Sportsbook.
Delaware Sports Betting
Delaware sports betting is available, but online wagering in the state is still not. If you are from Delaware, you need to go to either New Jersey or Pennsylvania to bet online. The interesting detail here is that online sports betting in the state is legal, but it hasn’t launched yet because it was deemed to be a quite expensive venture. The Delaware Lottery, which is the governing body in the state that watches over everything related to sports betting, will have to re-evaluate things after a while because the industry in the state suffered a lot when all the casinos were shut down last year.
Pennsylvania Sports Betting
Pennsylvania has been one of the first states to launch sports betting both online and offline in the USA and as of 2019, they have some of the largest sportsbook brands in the country within their borders. Among the sportsbooks available in the state are BetMGM, FanDuel, BetRivers, DraftKings, Unibet, FOX Bet, Betway, and PointsBet. While retail betting became available in November 2018, online sports betting launched in May 2019. So far, the state’s record for sports betting revenue was in October last year when they generated over $776 million. Bettors in the state can bet on college sports and teams from outside and inside the state of Pennsylvania, but they can’t place prop bets on college sports. The overseeing body for all types of sports betting in the state is Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Virginia Sports Betting
In Virginia, customers can enjoy online sports betting, but that is all they have to offer right now. Retail sports betting isn’t available in the state. The record this state holds is the fastest market to reach revenue of $2 billion, which was achieved in October last year. Retail betting isn’t forgotten by the lawmakers and they made it possible in five casino locations in five cities around the state. The only requirement was that each city had to pass a referendum to agree to the construction of a casino in their land. Voters in four cities, including Norfolk, Bristol, Danville, and Portsmouth agreed, but the voters in Richmond did not agree for a fifth casino to be constructed in their city. So far, in the future we expect retail sportsbooks to launch in the four cities, but we don’t have a fixed timeline for any of them.
West Virginia Sports Betting
West Virginia is the second state on this list that neighbors Maryland and offers both online and offline sports wagering. The sportsbooks in the state started to accept retail wagers only two months after Delaware, which is very fast. There are five total retail sportsbooks and six online sportsbooks available in the state right now. You can place bets at:
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- Betly Sportsbook
The governing body in the state of West Virginia that oversees anything related to sports betting is the West Virginia Lottery Commission. Like in most US states the legal age for anyone to use the sports betting services provided by sportsbooks is 21 years old.