Maryland sports betting
Legal sports betting is live in Maryland! You can now register at multiple online betting sites in the Old Line State. We guide you with the latest news, reviews, and an updated list of bonuses you can claim.
By: Mikhael Aram
Fact checked by: Gary Garry
Legal Maryland betting sites
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Best betting sites in Maryland
- DraftKings Maryland: Best betting site for UFC wagering
- Caesars Maryland: Best betting site for Baltimore Ravens fans
- Crab Sports Maryland: Best betting site for Maryland teams
- BetRivers Maryland: Best betting site for rewards
- Betfred Maryland: Best betting site for European sports
- PointsBet Maryland: Best betting site for unique wagering
1. DraftKings Maryland
- Welcome bonus: Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets
- Retail location in MD: Timonium Racetrack
- Live in Maryland since: 2022
DraftKings Maryland is owned and operated by DraftKings Inc. and is licensed by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. The betting site offers its players competitive odds on football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, boxing, and more.
DraftKings launched in Maryland on November 23, 2022, and has a retail location at Timonium Racetrack where players can visit to wager in person.
Best feature: DraftKings is best for betting on the UFC because of their partnership with the organization, and they run special promotions for big UFC events.
2. Caesars Maryland
- Welcome bonus: Second Chance Bet Up To $1000
- Retail location in MD: Horseshoe Baltimore Casino
- Live in Maryland since: 2022
Caesars was one of the first seven sports betting sites to go live in Maryland on November 23, 2022. After acquiring William Hill’s United States gaming assets in 2021, Caesars has risen to prominence in the online sports betting space. They are an industry leader for high-end welcome offers, and they provide ongoing perks through the Caesars Rewards program.
Caesars owns the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, and they have installed a state-of-the-art sportsbook at the gaming facility.
Best feature: Caesars is the best sportsbook for betting on the NFL due to its partnership with the Baltimore Ravens.
3. Crab Sports Maryland
- Welcome bonus: Up To $250 in Bonus Bets
- Retail location in MD: No Retail Location
- Live in Maryland since: 2023
Crab Sports Maryland launched its online sports betting platform on July 13, 2023. This state-focused site is taking advantage of Maryland’s inclusive approach to sportsbook licensing. They have been able to enter the marketplace through a partnership with Jimmy’s Famous Seafood in Baltimore.
This operator should appeal to people who like to support endeavors with a local flair. When you support Crab Sports with your gambling dollar, you are also supporting a beloved Maryland culinary institution.
Best feature: Since Crab Sports is a local business, it is a good destination if you want to bet on Maryland teams.
4. BetRivers Maryland
- Welcome bonus: Second Chance Bet Up To $500
- Retail location in MD: Bingo World
- Live in Maryland since: 2022
BetRivers is owned and operated by Rush Street Interactive, a division of Rush Street Gaming. They have a well-developed platform, and they provide a rock-solid player experience. Their site offers competitive odds, generous bonus rewards, and quality customer support.
BetRivers Maryland launched on November 23, 2022, so they have been around since day one. On top of that, BetRivers has partnered up with Bingo World in the brick-and-mortar realm, and they are operating a retail sportsbook at the popular Baltimore facility.
Best feature: The BetRivers loyalty program, called iRush Rewards, is one of the strongest loyalty programs around, with each bet earning points that can be redeemed for rewards, odds boosts, and added premiums.
5. Betfred Maryland
- Welcome bonus: Up To $1111 in Bonus Bets
- Retail location in MD: Long Shot’s
- Live in Maryland since: 2022
Betfred is a sports betting site that has been operating in Maryland since February 7, 2023. It has partnered with Long Shot’s of Frederick as its retail partner in the state.
The platform offers a vast selection of sports to bet on, including football, basketball, and baseball, among others.
Betfred also has an extensive selection of betting options, including moneyline, point spread, over/under bets, and exotic wagers.
Best feature: Betfred is the best sports betting site for wagering on European sporting events like soccer and rugby because they originally made their name in the UK.
6. PointsBet Maryland
- Welcome bonus: Up To $1000 in Second Chance Bets
- Retail location in MD: Riverboat on the Potomac
- Live in Maryland since: 2022
Another popular sports betting site in Maryland is PointsBet. They offer great bonuses to new players, and existing ones can take part in the PointsBet Rewards program to earn valuable perks.
PointsBet’s application was approved by the Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission, and their site has been live in the state since November 23, 2022. Players can visit Riverboat on the Potomac to bet with PointsBet in person.
Best feature: PointsBet’s unique Points Betting system provides payouts and debits that fluctuate based on the margin of victory or defeat.
More MD betting sites
Maryland gaming laws are designed to be inclusive, and they encourage diversity and small business participation. As a result, there are a number of betting sites that fly under the radar, and the list will get longer as time goes on:
Is online sports betting legal in Maryland?
Online sports betting is now legal in Maryland. After the legislature passed HB 940, Governor Larry Hogan signed the bill into law in May 2021.
Adults over the age of 21 are free to place wagers on any of the online betting sites that are currently licensed in the Old Line State.
A quick overview of Maryland sports betting
| Sports betting legal since: | May 18, 2021 |
| Number of online betting sites: | Up to 60 licenses available |
| Number of retail sportsbooks: | Up to 50 licenses available |
| Legal betting age: | 21 |
| Licensing body: | The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission |
| Governing body: | The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency |
Popular teams to wager on in MD
The state of Maryland is home to a handful of popular sports teams that you can place your wagers on. They include:
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a major source of pride for Maryland football fans. They have enjoyed a lot of success since John Harbaugh took the reins in 2008, and M&T Bank Stadium is electric on Sundays during the NFL season. Now that sports betting in Maryland is legal, fans can add a layer of betting excitement.
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are the other major sports franchise in the state. Oriole Park at Camden Yards is one of the best places in the country to watch an MLB game. The franchise was founded in 1901, and they have fielded many memorable teams. This is another option for people that like to support local teams.
Maryland Terrapins
A lot of sports fans in Maryland are very passionate about the University of Maryland Terrapins. Their teams compete in the powerful Big Ten Conference, so they play against some of the toughest competition in the country. You are free to place wagers on the Terrapins and other in-state teams in the Old Line State.
Latest developments in MD sports betting
Bets available on Maryland betting sites
You have a lot of options when you are placing bets at online sportsbooks. Below is a run-through of the most common bet types you will find on Maryland betting sites:
Moneyline
Live betting
Over/Under
Parlay bet
Point spread
Futures bets
Prop bets
How to join an online betting site in Maryland
In order to start wagering online, you’ll need to create an account with any of the licensed betting sites in Maryland. To get started, just follow these simple steps:
- Choose a betting site that is legal in Maryland: The first step is ensuring that the betting site has a license to accept players from Maryland. When you’ve chosen your preferred operator, you can visit their website and initiate the registration process.
- Create an account with your personal details: Here is the part where you provide your personal information to the gambling site you want to join. After providing this data, your location will be verified, and your account will go live.
- Deposit funds and start betting: After that, you need to choose a payment option so you can fund your account. You can use online banking, a credit or debit card, PayPal, or another method. When you complete the process, you can claim your Maryland sportsbook promo for new players and place your first bet.
How to choose the best betting site in Maryland
With a number of online sportsbooks in Maryland currently active, it might be a bit tricky to know which one to pick. Here are a few things to consider:
Make sure they have an app
You should choose a site that has a good mobile betting app in Maryland. This makes it possible to make bets on the go instead of having to sit down in front of a computer each time you want to place a bet. Plus, you can access exclusive in-app promos.
Read their terms and conditions
You also need to check the terms and conditions of the betting site before joining. Head over to their terms and conditions page to learn more about how they operate. Key details include verification, deposits, withdrawals, privacy, and bonus information.
Check their transaction methods
Funding and withdrawal options should be reviewed before you take the final step. The most popular operators accept fast, safe, and secure payment methods including PayPal, online banking, and all major credit cards.
Are sports betting winnings taxable in Maryland?
The state deducts a tax between 2% and 5.75% on all winnings from online gambling in Maryland, depending on how much you win. If players land a big win, they receive a W-2G Form from the gaming operator (retail location, pari-mutuel operator, casino, online betting site, and so on). The form gives a breakdown of the amount won and the tax withheld.
Also, the IRS requires the payer to withhold 24% of winnings above $5,000 if the payout was at least 300 times the bet increment. The actual amount you will wind up paying depends on your tax bracket.
Popular sports to bet on in Maryland
From football to basketball to horse racing, Maryland offers a wide range of sports to bet on, each with their own unique thrills and challenges. Here are some of the most popular:
Payment methods on MD betting sites
When choosing a gambling site in Maryland, the available deposit and withdrawal methods should be considered. Most operators accept a variety of payment methods, but the most convenient and popular ones include:
PayPal
Most betting sites in Maryland accept PayPal. This online wallet allows you to complete quick transactions of all kinds. PayPal also protects sensitive banking information by acting as a middleman when you make purchases.
Online banking
Using online banking on betting sites in Maryland is another simple, straightforward option. It is fast, secure, and widely accepted by operators in the state. This is the preferred method at the leading sites.
Credit cards
Credit cards can be used to fund your online sports betting account, with Visa and Mastercard leading the way. We can’t say that many MD betting sites accept American Express, but there are plenty of other options.
Retail betting locations and partnerships
The state of Maryland allows land-based sports betting locations where players can wager in person. It can be fun to gather with others to dive into the action, and there are other forms of gambling at these venues. Some popular retail locations where you can enjoy in-person betting in Maryland are:
Hollywood Casino Perryville - partnered with Barstool
MGM National Harbor - partnered with BetMGM
Ocean Downs Casino - partnered with Twinspires
Live! Casino and Hotel - partnered with FanDuel
Horseshoe Casino Baltimore - partnered with Caesars
Riverboat on the Potomac - partnered with PointsBet
Greenmount Station - partnered with betPARX
Long Shot's - partnered with Betfred
Timonium Racetrack - partnered with DraftKings
The history of Maryland sports betting
The journey that led to legal sports betting in Maryland had some twists and turns along the way. Here is a timeline of the major events that culminated in the legalization of Maryland sports betting:
Laws and regulations that sports betting websites need to follow in Maryland
Online betting sites operating in Maryland must follow a set of guidelines that are outlined in HB 940 in order to operate legally and safely.
These guidelines are in place to protect consumers and ensure that sports betting is conducted in a fair and transparent manner. Some of the key laws, regulations, and requirements that online sportsbooks in Maryland need to follow include:
FAQ
What is the revenue of Maryland sports betting?
According to a Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency report, the handle for the first full month of legal online betting (Dec. 2022) was $478.3 million. Retail handle was $18.85 million during the same period.
Who regulates sports betting in Maryland?
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency is responsible for the regulation of sports betting in the state. It requires licensed operators to use approved software and maintain certain operating requirements. The agency also regularly audits books, checks financial records, and randomly inspects gaming sites to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
What age do I need to be to bet on sports in Maryland?
You need to be at least 21 years old to bet on sports in Maryland.
Are all forms of sports legal to wager on in MD?
Almost all forms of sports are legal to bet on in Maryland except high school sports. Some states do not allow players to bet on college sports, but this is not the case in Maryland.
Who decides if a betting site can operate in Maryland?
The Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission was established to review sports wagering applications submitted to the State of Maryland. The Commission is made up of representatives from various state agencies, including the Department of Legislative Services and the Office of General Counsel in addition to industry experts.
Can I bet on daily fantasy sports in MD?
Yes, you can bet on daily fantasy sports (DFS) in Maryland. The Maryland General Assembly passed a law in 2012 that made it clear that DFS is considered a game of skill and is therefore not covered by the state's gambling laws.
How many sports betting websites are legal in Maryland?
There are 12 sports betting websites that are legal and live in Maryland right now. These are Caesars, Betrivers, FanDuel, PointsBet, DraftKings, Barstool, BetMGM, Betfred, Crab Sports, BetPARX, Superbook, and Fanatics Sportsbook.
How do I bet on sports in Maryland?
You can bet on sports in Maryland by signing up at an online betting site or going to a licensed retail location and placing a bet.
Can I bet on FanDuel if I live in Maryland?
Yes, you can bet on FanDuel if you live in Maryland. FanDuel is one of the eight wagering sites that are live in the state right now. All you have to do is sign up for an account and make a deposit and you can start betting.
How much money does sports betting generate in Maryland?
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency reports that the cumulative contribution to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund was over $6.5 million through the end of 2022.