Updated on: Sep 12, 2024 2:26 PM ET Fact checked by: David Caraviello
Sports betting in Maryland has been popular since legalization in December of 2021 when several casinos including Horseshoe Casino and MGM National Harbor Casino began accepting sports wagers. Almost a full year later, in November of 2022, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars launched online sports betting apps. Today, there are 11 online sports betting apps and 12 in-person locations to bet in The Old Line State.
Maryland has more online sportsbooks today (11) than Cal Ripken Jr. had 25+ home run seasons in Baltimore (8). With nearly a dozen online sportsbooks to choose from, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. I will provide you with details on your best sportsbook options in Maryland and explain how to get started with sports betting. I’ll also detail the state’s path toward legal sports betting, which Maryland teams to wager on and responsible gambling resources.
Best betting sites in maryland
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is sports betting legal in maryland
Yes, Maryland has had a legal sports betting market regulated by Maryland Lottery and Gaming since December of 2021. Sports betting became officially legal in the state when Governor Lawrence Hogan Jr. signed HB 940 into law in May of 2021 after the sports betting bill survived the state legislature and a ballot initiative approved sports betting in November of 2020.
Maryland bettors are allowed to bet on the NFL Draft and in-state college teams, but the state banned player props in March of 2024, citing concerns over athletes being harassed.
Maryland quick facts
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Launch Date: December 2021
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Legal Betting Age: 21 years old
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Online Sports Betting: Yes
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Online Casino Sites: No
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Online Poker Sites: No
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Best Available Sportsbook: FanDuel
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Regulatory Body: Maryland Lottery and Gaming
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Mobile betting apps: 11
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Daily Fantasy Sports: Yes
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College Sports betting: Yes, but prop bets on college players is banned as of March 2024.
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Esports Betting: Yes
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Politics: No
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High School Sports Betting: No
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NFL Draft betting: Yes
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Remote registration: Yes
Sportsbooks
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Timeline of Betting Legislation & Latest News
Maryland opened Retail sports betting late in 2021 and took its time ironing out details before launching online sports betting in November of 2022. Voters told lawmakers loud and clear they wanted sports betting in 2020 when they voted for it by a 2-to-1 margin.
may 14, 2018
Supreme Court rules that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is unconstitutional, paving the way for individual states to legalize sports betting.
november 3, 2020
Maryland voters approve of legal sports betting ballot initiative by a vote of 67.1% to 32.9%.
april 12, 2021
HB 940 passed by state legislature.
may 18, 2021
HB 940 signed into law by Gov. Lawrence Hogan, Jr.
december 9, 2021
Retail sports betting launched in Maryland.
november 23, 2022
Online sports betting launched in Maryland.
march 1, 2024
Maryland bans wagering on college player props.
march 18, 2024
HB 1319, Maryland’s iGaming bill which would legalize online casino game betting, passes through the state house.
april 9, 2024
HB 1319 fails, closing the door for iGaming in Maryland until at least 2027.
how to start betting in maryland
Sports betting in Maryland is simple thanks to remote registration which allows you to register for a sportsbook and deposit money into an account from anywhere in the state. If you’re over 21-years-old and located within state lines, you can download your favorite sports betting app and begin betting after a few minutes of registration.
select a sportsbook
First, decide which sportsbook you want to use and download that sports betting app on your phone. Some sportsbooks will allow you to get started from their website on a computer as well. With the help of this article, make sure the app you’ve chosen is regulated in your state.
create account
Click the button on your sportsbooks’s app that says “signup” or “get started,” while you’re inside state lines, to begin creating an account. You’ll be required to fill in some personal information and verify your identity.
deposit
To fund the account, select the payment option you prefer. Each sportsbook has different options for deposits, but common options include: Credit/debit card, bank transfers, PayPal, etc. Remember to keep an eye out for any fees that might be associated with the deposit.
choose your bet and bet size
There are a variety of wagering options within each sportsbook. If you’re just getting started, moneylines are the most straight-forward bet and allow bettors to wager on who will win an event. Point spreads, over/unders, parlays, player props and futures bets are also popular choices.
place a wager
Every sportsbook runs independently from each other so they each may offer different point spreads or odds on the same wager. Before placing your wager, try shopping around at other betting apps to get the best price. Once you’ve found odds you like, type in your wager amount and submit your wager. If your wager wins, your winnings and your original bet will be deposited back into your account shortly after the event you bet on finishes.
withdraw funds
Each online sportsbook has different methods and processes for cashing out money if you’re successful betting. It’s normal for withdrawals to take longer than deposits, but the money is typically received within a couple days.
Home Field Advantage
Maryland punches well above its weight: although the state ranks 42nd in the union in size, it stands 19th in population with over 6 million residents. Encompassing both the major metro of Baltimore and the northern suburbs of Washington, D.C., Maryland is a thriving sports market where the NFL, Major League Baseball, and major college sports all enjoy sizable followings. Ravens and Commanders fans will be excited to hear that Maryland is one of the few states bettors are allowed to bet on the NFL Draft.
Here are the squads that attract most of the sports interest in the Old Line State
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NFL - Baltimore Ravens: Here’s another area where little Maryland has an outsized impact: it’s one of just seven states with multiple NFL teams playing within its borders. The Baltimore Ravens have proven wildly successful since relocating from Cleveland, winning a pair of Super Bowl titles since 2000. Today, John Harbaugh’s Ravens are always a threat with reigning MVP Lamar Jackson under center.
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NFL - Washington Commanders: The Commanders, who play in Landover, suffered in terms of attendance and performance under the Daniel Snyder regime, but a recent change of ownership and Heisman Trophy winning QB (Jayden Daniels) has rekindled new hope. The NFL is the king of sports betting in Maryland and everywhere else, so look for hundreds of available wagers on the Commanders in Maryland.
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MLB - Baltimore Orioles: The NFL may be the big dog of sports leagues, but Maryland simply adores its Orioles, who have played in Baltimore since their founding in 1954. Yet a franchise that won three World Series crowns between 1966 and 1983 soon fell on hard times, with just two playoff appearances in 27 years. But the O’s became a phenomenon after the opening of Camden Yards in 1992, the team has become much more competitive over the past decade, and 162 games offer lots of betting options over the course of a long Chesapeake Bay summer.
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MLB - Washington Nationals: The Nats won the 2019 World Series behind the arms of Max Scherzer, Patrick Corbin, and Stephen Strasburg. Unfortunately for Nationals fans, they’ve finished in last place in their division every season since then. Nationals Park is located south of the capitol along the riverfront and Washington fans would love to see their team develop as quickly as that area has.
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College Basketball - Maryland Terrapins: The Terrapins may not be a pro team, but they’re still a huge deal in Maryland as the only power-conference athletic department in the state. The men’s basketball team in particular has been historically successful, winning a national championship in 2002. While Maryland has struggled across the board since leaving the ACC for the Big 10 in 2014, the Terrapins remain the closest thing the state offers to big-time college football and basketball, and their presence is felt on the sports betting front as a result. Just remember you can’t bet on college player props within the state.
Money collected from gambling taxes and fees goes toward responsible gambling education and initiatives. The Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling (MARG) connects people to resources like gambling counselors and the state’s voluntary exclusion program which can help bettors ban themselves from gambling activity in the state. Anyone struggling with gambling addiction in Maryland can call 1-800-GAMBLER.
