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NFL betting in Maryland

The National Football League is the king of the U.S. sports betting universe, and the hometown Baltimore Ravens are the top dog in the Maryland betting markets. In this guide to NFL betting in Maryland, we’ll discuss how to read football odds, which sportsbooks are the best for NFL betting, and offer some expert advice before you go place your wagers.

Dan Bradley By: Dan Bradley
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Best Maryland sportsbooks for NFL betting

There are 11 available online Maryland sportsbooks for bettors to choose from, and all of them accept wagers on NFL markets. However, there are a few that have separated themselves from the rest of the pack for their football offerings.

Keeping in mind that the definition of the “best” is somewhat subjective and will differ from player to player, these are our picks for the best Maryland sportsbooks for NFL betting. We should also point out that each of these bookmakers also holds an official betting partnership with the NFL.

Caesars Maryland Logo

Caesars

The official sportsbook of the Ravens, Caesars has an excellent array of NFL markets, and the bookie will frequently have Ravens-themed promotions and bonuses. You can also count on Caesars to offer one of the most generous signup bonuses in the state.

FanDuel Maryland Logo

FanDuel

FanDuel is an established and well-respected operator for both traditional sports betting and daily fantasy sports contests. It has surged in popularity since developing the concept of same game parlays, allowing gamblers to choose from many different in-game player and team props and score totals to multiply winnings on a successful bet.

DraftKings Maryland Logo

DraftKings

Like FanDuel, DraftKings is a major player in the daily fantasy sports scene, offering millions of dollars in prizes throughout the season. DraftKings runs many NFL-themed promotions throughout the season, including odds boosts, parlay profit boosts, and Monday and Thursday Night Football promos.

BetMGM Maryland Logo

BetMGM

BetMGM virtually sets the standard for futures bets, with lines frequently available earlier than other operators. It also offers one of the best rewards programs in the industry.

How to wager on the NFL online in Maryland

Maryland gamblers are able to place their online bets through a web browser or via a Maryland mobile betting app. Once you know which way you intend to play, you’ll be able to follow these steps to learn how to place your first wager on the NFL online in Maryland.

  1. Choose a sportsbook: The sportsbooks listed on MDBetting.com are all licensed in Maryland and safe to play on. You are free to register with as many bookmakers as you wish, and we recommend using more than one so you can capitalize on bonuses and shop lines to get the best deal.
  2. Set up your sportsbook account: After you’ve chosen a bookie (or multiple operators), the next step is to register for an account. You’ll need to choose an email and password for your account, and regardless of which sportsbook(s) you choose, you’ll need to be sure to include your legal first and last name, address, phone number, birth date, and the last four digits of your social security number. This information will verify your identity and betting eligibility and will be securely transmitted and safely stored.
  3. Make a deposit: Once your account is set up, you’ll be able to make a deposit with the payment method of your choice. Different sportsbooks will offer different banking options, so check their list to ensure you’ve got a viable way to fund your bankroll.
  4. Gather information about your bet: The more research you can do before placing your wager, the more likely you are to make a winning bet. Studying team trends, the matchup history, weather reports, betting line movement, injury reports, and more can all help in your betting prep.
  5. Place your wager: Finally, find the line you like, watch the game, and hope your bets hit!

Reading NFL odds

Reading NFL odds may seem a bit confusing at first, but it’s much easier than you might think. Understanding the odds comes down to recognizing the “favorite” and the “underdog.”

The betting favorite will have a “-” symbol listed ahead of the odds number while the underdog will have a “+” symbol. In rare instances, both outcomes may have a “-” symbol in front; you’ll see this when the lines are extremely close. When that happens, the outcome with the larger number after the “-” is the favorite.

To calculate the winnings from a bet on each line, note that the odds are based around a $100 bet. If the favorite has odds of -150, you would need to bet $150 to win $100 (and receive a $250 payout). Conversely, if the underdog has odds of +150, a $100 wager would win $150 (and also payout $250).

You won’t have to bet $100 when you make your bets (unless you want to). Payouts will scale proportionally based on the size of your stake.

Types of wagers you can place on the NFL

There are near countless wagers you can place on the NFL, ranging in intricacy level and likelihood of a payout. Here are some of the most common and popular options you’ll find.

  • Spread bets: Because moneyline bets (picking a straight-up winner) tends to have more lopsided odds in the NFL than for other sports, bookmakers can handicap the line by installing a “spread,” or the margin of victory for the favorite to win by to make things more even. For example, if the Baltimore Ravens were listed as 3.5-point favorites against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they would need to win by at least four points for a spread bet on Baltimore to hit. On the other hand, a spread bet on the Steelers would pay out if Pittsburgh won outright or lost by fewer than three points.
  • Prop bets: Prop bets are wagers you can make that aren’t necessarily tied to the final score. These could include things like Lamar Jackson’s completion total, how many points the Ravens score in the first quarter, or the length of Justin Tucker’s longest field goal. Because these outcomes aren’t dependent on whether Baltimore wins or loses, they’re considered props.
  • Parlays: Parlays are wagers that combine multiple betting outcomes (called “legs”) and multiply the odds for each leg added to the bet slip. For example, you could bet on Lamar Jackson to have more than 220 passing yards, Justin Tucker to hit a 50+ yard field goal, and Patrick Queen to record a sack as their own bets with lower odds or combine all three into one wager for a much bigger payout if all three events happen (this would be a “same game parlay,” though you don’t always have to make your parlays from the same matchup). However, if even one leg of your parlay fails, the entire wager is scored as a loss.

NFL live betting explained

Live betting on the NFL is one of the most exciting ways to make your wagers, as the odds are constantly moving. A costly interception or a timely touchdown can dramatically shift the odds, and in turn the payout, of a winning wager.

Bookmakers will adjust the odds after every single play for moneyline bets, spread bets, totals (over/unders), and props based on the in-game action. Successful live betting will require you to have a solid understanding of game flow and trends, quick instincts to recognize a favorable line, and the ability to make a gutsy call in anticipation of the next play.

For this reason, we only advise live betting when you’re able to actively watch the game. Box scores can provide ample information, but they can also be misleading and fail to tell the full story. Some bookmakers will also allow you to stream NFL games if you’ve placed an in-game wager.

Expert advice when betting on the NFL in Maryland

Before we go, we’ve asked our experts for their best advice when betting on the NFL in Maryland. Here’s what they told us.

  • Bet with your head, not your heart: Cliches are cliches for a reason, and there are few betting cliches that ring truer than this one. As fun as it is to bet on the Ravens, they aren’t going to win every game (hard as they’ll try). Profitable betting may require you to avoid betting on Baltimore games altogether, or betting on their opponent, if that’s what your research tells you is the most logical wager to make.
  • Limit your parlays: Parlay wagers can be tricky to hit since one bad leg can blow your bet. We recommend keeping parlays between 2-5 legs, as this will still give you a reasonable chance at hitting your bet and still getting a respectable payout. Parlays with more than five legs seldom hit, and even with parlay insurance, it’s still more profitable in the long run to keep your parlays relatively simple.
  • Diversify your betting slip: Getting comfortable with different betting types will also help you make more money at the bookies. If you’re having bad luck with your prop bets, you can switch to making more spread wagers to take a break and reassess your strategy. Also, look for the opportunity to have “alternate lines,” especially for spread bets. If you aren’t as confident in the Ravens at -5.5, you may be able to get Baltimore -3.5 for a smaller payout with a higher likelihood of hitting.

FAQ

When did NFL betting in Maryland become legal?

NFL betting in Maryland became legal in 2020, with the first sportsbooks opening in 2021 and the first online sportsbooks launching in 2022.

Are there specific promos for betting on the NFL in Maryland?

Yes, there are some specific promos for betting on the NFL in Maryland. Sportsbooks will often give Maryland betting promos like odds boosters for NFL games.

Author Details

Dan Bradley

Dan Bradley

Dan Bradley is a researcher and betting expert at MD Betting. He has spent more than 10 seasons as a hockey broadcaster for junior teams in Illinois, Minnesota, and Ohio, and can often be found at the rink when not writing or cohosting his NHL podcast called Pod Snipe Celly.