Maryland’s sports betting market posted a strong August 2025, with a total handle of $434.2M. That’s a 19.2% jump from July and a solid year-over-year gain as the market heads into football season.
Sportsbooks reported a 12.1% hold, and the report shows that the month generated $9.0M in tax contributions to the state. The growth was led by mobile wagering, which continues to account for nearly all activity.
By the Numbers: Mobile vs. Retail
Mobile betting apps in Maryland again dominated activity in August. Online handle reached $426.6M, while retail locations took $7.6M in bets. That means roughly 98% of wagers were placed on phones and computers, a share that has stayed high since mobile launched.
Maryland now has 12 licensed mobile platforms operating statewide, alongside a dozen retail books at casinos and other approved venues.
While promos are deducted before calculating taxable win, fresh competition can still lift overall activity by giving players more lines, features, and user experiences to try.
Hold—the share of handle sportsbooks keep after paying prizes—landed at 12.1% for the month. Hold can swing with results on popular events, parlay volume, and pricing strategies. A higher hold doesn’t always mean more betting; it simply reflects how outcomes and bet types lined up in a given month.
Still, stable double-digit hold paired with rising handle tends to support stronger tax receipts over time.
Why It Matters for Maryland
August delivered $9.0M in total contributions to the state budget. Of that, $6.8M went to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which helps support public education, and $2.2M flowed to the General Fund from mobile proceeds.
Since June, Maryland taxes mobile taxable win at 20% (retail remains 15%), a change designed to boost monthly state revenue without restricting market choice for consumers.
The bigger picture also looks healthy. August handle rose 15.1% versus August 2024, when bettors wagered about $377.4M. Growth year over year suggests the Maryland sports betting market is still expanding, even before the full impact of football season.
With the NFL and college football calendars now in full swing, September and October typically bring heavier betting volume. That seasonal lift could keep handle above the $400M mark, though results will depend on game schedules, promotions, and bettor interest week to week.
For players, the expanding operator list means more options and features, from same-game parlays to live in-game markets. For the state, consistent contributions help fund education priorities and other programs. As always, responsible play remains important.
Bettors can set limits, stick to budgets, and use available tools if gambling stops being fun. Clear rules, strong oversight, and transparent monthly reporting continue to anchor Maryland’s maturing market.
