Where to Bet in Maryland
9.7
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9.6
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9.3
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9.0
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The initial sports betting laws in the state of Maryland created the potential for a massive market, with more than 100 potential licenses being available. There were 47 retail sports betting licenses available and up to 60 online sports betting licenses.
The state of Maryland is nowhere close to those numbers at this point, but that does allow for plenty of growth in the future. Maryland will never be able to get rid of all of the licenses, but at least the opportunity is there.
The five major casinos in the state as well as the three professional sports stadiums, were all eligible to offer betting. Beyond that, smaller retail sportsbooks could be established throughout the state as well.
Here is a list of where retail sports betting is currently offered in Maryland:
- Bingo World
- Hollywood Casino Perryville
- Horseshoe Casino
- Live! Casino & Hotel
- MGM National Harbor
- Ocean Downs Casino
- Riverboat on the Potomac
With up to 60 online sports betting licenses potentially available in the state of Maryland, it shouldn’t be hard for operators to enter the state. That hasn’t always been the case, though, as Maryland has been slow to hand out these licenses.
There are online sports betting options in the state, other than those listed above
- Barstool Sportsbook
- Betfred Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Crab Sports Maryland
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sportsbook
- SuperBook Sports
It took Maryland some time to join the sports betting industry in the United States, but it wasn’t long before this market was a big player. Maryland first launched retail sports betting with some decent results, but things really took off with the launch of online sportsbooks.
This is a state where sports play a big role in the culture, and that has helped boost the overall numbers. Maryland is also a state that should continue to see sports betting growth in the coming years, especially in the online space.
The United States sports betting industry has cooled off a bit from the ridiculous pace that it was once, but there has still been plenty of action each month. The summer always tends to be a slow time for sportsbooks, but that all changes once football season begins
Historical Background of Betting in Maryland
The path to legal sports betting in the state of Maryland wasn’t easy at all, and it was a process that took several years to complete. Some lawmakers in the state were actually looking to legalize sports betting back in 2017, but federal laws still outlawed this industry.
After the federal ban was lifted back in 2018, Maryland looked to be one of the states that would be among the first to launch, but that wasn’t the case at all. The Maryland Senate had other ideas, though, and it would be that chamber that kept a bill from passing for a few years.
It was actually the voters in the state of Maryland that really got things going in 2020, and that forced lawmakers to take the next step. From there, a number of discussions were had, and eventually, the state was able to come up with a resolution.
Sports betting was legalized in Maryland back in 2021, and retail sports betting would launch later that year as well.
Maryland Betting Legalization Details
After lawmakers were unable to get a bill passed for a few years, they put the decision in front of the voters in the state. A ballot referendum was included on the ballot in November 2020, and it became clear that residents in the state wanted sports betting.
It was eventually House Bill 940 that legalized sports betting in the state of Maryland, and Governor Larry Hogan then signed the bill in April. As of July 2021, sports betting officially became legal throughout the state.
It was later that year that retail sports betting launched at five different locations throughout the state. There was hope that online sports betting wouldn’t be far behind, but that launch actually didn’t occur until November 2022.
Key Regulations and Rules
It might have taken Maryland much longer than anticipated to launch legal sports betting, but the overall rules and regulations in this industry are terrific. The legal sports betting age in the state of Maryland is set at 21 years of age, and that’s a standard age throughout the country.
Sportsbooks have plenty of freedom when it comes to the different sports that they want to offer, and that always helps with the overall numbers. Not only are the top professional sports available in Maryland, but bettors are able to make bets on collegiate sporting events as well.
Maryland has also passed a law that allows for betting on esports, and that’s another growing industry that has become extremely popular. Sportsbooks are also allowed to offer a wide range of betting types, and that’s always a good thing for bettors as well.
The Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency oversees sports betting in Maryland, and it’s the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission that hands out the licenses.
Popular Sports and Events to Bet On in Maryland
Football is always the sport that drives sports betting the most, and that’s definitely been the case in Maryland. There are actually two local teams in the state, and allegiances are pretty well split right down the middle.
The Baltimore Ravens are actually located in the state of Maryland, and they have had plenty of success in recent seasons. Baltimore has a massive following with football fans in the state, but they just don’t have as much history as the other local team.
The Washington Commanders have been around for decades, but it has been a pretty rough few years for that once-proud franchise. Still, sports fans in the state of Maryland are going to make plenty of bets on games featuring the Commanders, and that helps out the sportsbooks.
The Baltimore Orioles are another professional team in the state of Maryland, and they have a pretty big backing for being an MLB team. Baseball isn’t a sport that is extremely popular in sports betting, but the Orioles are a popular betting option.
Maryland sports bettors are also able to place wagers on college sporting events, and that includes games featuring the Maryland Terrapins. When Maryland is playing either football or basketball, this college program will attract plenty of wagers.
Tips for First-time Bettors in Maryland
It can be possible to win money right away when betting on sports in Maryland, but it’s important to have a plan in place.
If you`re just getting started with betting on sports in Maryland, it’s probably a good idea to get some help in the form of free picks. It’s not hard to find some betting picks and predictions on the internet, but you do have to determine which handicapper you are going to back.
It’s also important to come up with a bankroll management plan, and then you have to stick with the plan that you have chosen. Figuring out the amount of money you can invest into this hobby is extremely important as you don’t want to end up losing money that you can’t afford to.
Be sure to be patient when you first get started with betting on sports, as you could struggle to win bets at first. Stick with your plan and continue to look for good betting opportunities.
The Future of Sports Betting in Maryland
With so many sports betting licenses available, it’s hard not to imagine that there is going to be some growth coming for this market. Maryland is never going to get close to handing out all of the licenses, but we foresee some more operators coming soon.
Another thing that should help Maryland out is the fact that some current operators will get rebranded to better options. DraftKings and FanDuel have dominated the market up to this point, but there are some big-time competitors coming.
ESPN BET and Fanatics should emerge as leaders in this industry, which will create some much-needed competition. It’s unclear if Maryland will be able to convince the Washington Commanders to build in the state, but that could provide a huge boost as well.
The retail sportsbooks in Maryland still need to find a way to attract more wagers, but that should happen again once the football season begins. Maryland is never going to be a massive sports betting market, but it can start to be more competitive compared to other states.
Conclusion
The state of Maryland hit nearly $500 million in the first full month of online sports betting, and there have been some other big months as well. Those numbers do not compare with other big markets in the industry, but they have exceeded the initial expectations.
With so many sportsbooks available in the state of Maryland, it’s nearly impossible to not find a great place to make a wager. Whether you are looking to bet online or in person, Maryland has been able to attract some of the biggest names in the industry.
Responsible gambling should always be your focus when getting involved in sports betting, and you have to know when it’s time to stop. Sportsbooks will provide resources to help with problem gambling, and you should take advantage of those resources if needed.
