Last Updated May 11, 2022, 01:16 PM ET
Maryland is trading smashing crabs for smashing sports gambling revenue projections. The first five retail sportsbooks in the state are now open, with more on the way.
The Old Line State is the last of its Mid-Atlantic brethren to legalize sports wagering, with online betting tabled for 2022. An abundance of in-state sports franchises, coupled with its proximity to those in nearby states, positions Maryland as a competitive market for sports betting in the United States.
Read on for a detailed summary of everything you need to know about sports wagering in Maryland.
Short answer: Yes. Maryland voters had their say and voted to legalize sports betting via a 2020 referendum. The state legislature passed a sports betting measure in April 2021, and Governor Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr (R) signed sports betting bill HB 940 into law in May 2021.
On Dec. 9, 2021, MGM National Harbor Casino became the first of five casinos awarded licenses by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) on Nov. 18, 2021, to go live with in-person sports betting. On Dec. 8, 2021, state regulators doled out two more sports betting licenses to Riverboat on the Potomac and Long Shot’s. Two more locations — Horseshoe Casino and Live! Casino — launched on Dec. 10, 2021, and Ocean Downs Casino followed on Dec. 17, 2021.
The remaining casino which has already been given the green light — Hollywood Casino — opened its doors on Dec. 23, 2021.
Although online sports betting is also legal, Marylanders will have to wait until sometime in 2022 for it to begin.
Follow Maryland's and each state's progress with our sports betting legal tracker.
Positive momentum at all levels of government finally came to fruition with Maryland launching legal sports betting on Dec. 9, 2021. With SWARC handing out five sports betting licenses on Nov. 18, 2021, the state cleared the path to introduce the practice just before 2022. Mobile sports betting, however, isn’t anticipated until late 2022.
Read about notable moments in Maryland's sports betting history:
March 16, 2022: Online sports betting in Maryland still appears to be months away. Regulators hope to launch mobile betting by the start of the 2022 NFL season.
Feb. 24, 2022: MLGCC approves Bingo World in Anne Arundel County for a sports betting license. Bingo World becomes the ninth facility to obtain a license but will have to gain final approval from SWARC before launching operations.
Feb. 18, 2022: DraftKings announces during its Q4 earnings call that it has secured market access in Maryland, a required step in the eventual launch process.
Jan. 11, 2022: Casino sportsbooks in MD took more than $16 million in bets over the first month of legal wagering.
Dec. 23, 2021: Hollywood Casino in Perryville opened its doors for in-person sports betting.
Dec. 17, 2021: Ocean Downs Casino becomes the fourth retail location in the state to offer legal sports betting.
Dec. 16, 2021: MLGCC approves amendments to allow bettors to check their bankrolls, but not bet, at online sportsbooks when they’re across state lines.
Dec. 10, 2021: Horseshoe Casino and Live! Casino become the second and third retail locations to offer legal sports betting in Maryland.
Dec. 9, 2021: MGM National Harbor Casino becomes the first retail location in the state to launch legal sports betting, making Maryland the 11th state to establish the practice in 2021.
Dec. 8, 2021: State regulators award sports betting licenses to Riverboat on the Potomac and Long Shot’s.
Dec. 2, 2021: The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission announces it is preparing for a soft launch in December. Five retail sportsbooks will be watched closely by MLGCC staff over a two-day period. Additionally, MLGCC forwards two off-track betting facilities — Riverboat on the Potomac and Long Shot’s — to SWARC after qualifying the locations for sports betting licenses.
Nov. 18, 2021: SWARC awards casino sports betting licenses to Hollywood Casino Perryville (Barstool), Horseshoe Baltimore (Caesars), Live! Casino Maryland (FanDuel), MGM National Harbor (BetMGM), and Ocean Downs (TwinSpires).
Nov. 16, 2021: During a VIXIO GamblingCompliance webinar, Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin says the state is "a long way away" from launching mobile sports betting. SWARC has yet to define regulations or what the operator application process will look like in MD.
Nov. 4, 2021: Following Sports Wagering Application Review Commission's (SWARC) refusal to award five retail sports betting licenses on November 3, Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin indicates sports betting is unlikely to arrive in Maryland until early 2022.
Sept. 8, 2021: the Baltimore Ravens and Caesars Entertainment, Inc. announced a broad partnership with Caesars Sportsbook. The agreement further increases Horseshoe Baltimore's standing as the team's lone official casino partner.
Aug. 2021: Gov. Hogan told Maryland Matters that legal sports betting won't be ready by the start of the NFL regular season but is optimistic about a launch in time for the playoffs and the 2022 Super Bowl.
July 2021: The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) approved draft rules for sports betting regulations to guide the state’s licensing and operational rollout. The 228-page document was posted to the Maryland Register. The public comment period lasts 30 days, with a public meeting locked for Sept. 22, 2021.
May 2021: Governor Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr (R) signed sports betting bill HB 940 into law.
April 2021: Both Maryland state houses passed HB 940, which green-lit retail and online sports betting. Up to 60 mobile and online sportsbooks are allowed to operate in Maryland.
March 2021: The House Ways & Means Committee sent HB 940 to the House floor for a vote. The bill provided accommodations to expand the number of licenses and allow retail sportsbooks at all Maryland casinos and big-league sports venues.
Nov. 2020: Voters approved legal sports betting via a referendum on the 2020 ballot. Neighboring Mid-Atlantic states had already legalized sports betting, and MD state legislators moved to avoid being left behind.
Although online sports betting isn’t available yet, several details have emerged on the matter. The bill, in its current form, permits as many as 60 mobile and online sportsbooks.
Each mobile sportsbook licensee is allowed to partner with an online betting platform operator, who must secure an operator license. All sports betting licenses are valid for five years.
Residents aged 21 or older are eligible to wager on sports. Maryland's State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission regulates sports betting.
Review these tips with legalized Maryland sports betting now open for business.
Legal ageSports betting in MD will be reserved for individuals 21 and older.
Mobile bettingRemoving legal sports wagering red tape is underway. Expansive licensing for as many as 60 mobile betting operators, and its favorable geographic location, could position Maryland ahead of D.C. and Virginia, which have both implemented legal sports betting.
Remote registrationOnce the formal legal online wagering switch has been flipped, Maryland bettors will enjoy fully remote registration. Persons within the state will not be required to sign up for or verify an online sportsbook account in person.
Within state bordersMaryland will leverage geolocation tracking software to verify your location. MD residency is not a requirement, but you must be physically present within the state's borders to place bets. For now, bettors are limited to retail properties.
Retail sportsbooksRetail licenses were awarded to Maryland's six casinos, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course thoroughbred racing tracks and the affiliated stadiums for the Baltimore Orioles, the Baltimore Ravens, and Washington Commanders.
Taxable winningsIn Maryland, winnings in excess of $5,000 are subject to 25% withholding for federal and state income tax purposes. That figure climbs to 28% if you do not furnish or provide your Social Security Number.
Legal sports betting in Maryland is now a reality. But until mobile wagering arrives, bettors may seek out nearby neighborly options, such as Pennsylvania, West Virginia, D.C., and Virginia. Each has legalized and regulated mobile sports betting, with all but Virginia offering in-person options.
Anyone physically located in those jurisdictions is free to register and place a sports bet. Online bettors can download one of the authorized mobile sports betting apps and follow the prompts to start betting.
The Free State legalizing sports wagering and implementing the necessary infrastructure is encouraging — as many as 60 online sportsbooks are allowed to operate in MD.
There's also potential to open more retail sportsbooks at professional sports stadiums, casinos, and race tracks. Plus, up to 30 additional license holders for brick-and-mortar betting facilities. In total, regulators could hand out up to 107 sports betting licenses in Maryland.
No specific go-to-market launch date for mobile bettingNeighboring states stealing market shareWith as many as 60 online sportsbooks eligible to enter the market, plus the option of visiting a retail sportsbook, MD bettors should eventually have access to more options than any other state. Until then, you can familiarize yourself with the general setup process.
With the list of confirmed operators including BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, and TwinSpires, we're expecting to see even more prominent industry players get a seat at Maryland's sports betting table.
Researching each feature and reading sportsbook reviews is vital — you'll want to identify which one of the bunch, or multiple options, best satisfies your betting requirements.
The promise of fully remote registration means Maryland sports bettors should have the option to sign-up with a sportsbook from just about anywhere in the state. All users must share their personal information, and identity verification checks are made using your driver's license or Social Security Number.
The potential record number of sportsbooks on hand in Maryland should benefit the playing customer. Generous sign-up bonuses, risk-free bets, no-deposit bonuses, deposit matches, and additional incentives should be coming down the turnpike.
Adding real money funds to your account before choosing any wagers is necessary.
While the legal landscape is in flux, regulated Maryland sportsbooks will likely authorize the use of credit cards, debit cards, ACH transfers, pre-paid cards, cash at casino cages, and digital payment methods like PayPal for minimum deposits. Similar options should be available for withdrawals, too.
The five retail casinos offer these popular bet types: moneylines, Over/Unders (totals), point spreads, parlays, teasers, futures, and live bets. It would make sense that all other upcoming sportsbooks do the same.
Again, although there are only five total options right now, Maryland's competitive landscape should ultimately benefit its consumers. We always advise players to shop betting lines and compare pricing before making a bet.
The speed at which you secure sports bet winnings is important. Review the sportsbook's terms and conditions and read third-party reviews to gauge their response times. Depending on the sportsbook or withdrawal method, you may incur fees on the transaction.
Maryland follows the lead of all U.S. states and displays American betting odds as the default selection.
You can spot favorites by looking for the minus sign (-), and the value that follows identifies the amount you must wager to win $100. In this example, -190 odds mean you need to risk $190 to win $100.
Look out for the plus sign (+) to identify underdogs, highlighting the amount you would win if you placed a $100 bet. For example, +110 odds indicate that a $100 wager would net $110 in profit.
We developed an odds converter to help you toggle between American, fractions, or decimals odds.
Maryland recorded a modest benchmark in December 2021 to begin its foray into the legal sports betting market. The five retail operators in the state took in a combined $16.5 million in sports betting handle. After MD's first full month of legal wagering in January 2022, that number rose significantly to $32.5 million.
At present, in-person sports betting accounts for all of the action in the Old Line State. The addition of online and mobile wagering still appears to be months away.
| Year | Total handle | Revenue | Hold percentage | Tax revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | - | - | - | |
| 2021 | $16.5M | $3.2M | 19.2% | $469K |
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
| 2022 | $32.5M | $25.5M | $31M | $26.9M | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $116M |
| 2021 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $16.5M | $16.5M |
Marylanders can wager at MGM National Harbor Casino, Live! Casino, Horseshoe Casino, or Ocean Downs Casino. All professional, college, and Olympic sports are viable wagering plays.
It will not be legal to wager on political activity in Maryland at the state or federal level.
Betting on various awards shows, including the Academy Awards, will not be permissible in MD.
Maryland will allow college sports betting, including wagering on in-state collegiate teams.
There are five locations for retail sports betting in MD right now: MGM National Harbor Casino, Horseshoe Casino, Live! Casino, Ocean Downs Casino, and Hollywood Casino Perryville.
| Sportsbook | Venue | Address | Phone Number | Odds Provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Sportsbook & Lounge | MGM National Harbor Casino | 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD, 20745 | (844) 646-6847 | BetMGM |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Horseshoe Baltimore Casino | 1525 Russell St., Baltimore, MD, 21230 | (844) 777-7463 | Caesars |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Live! Casino & Hotel | 7002 Arundel Mills Cir, Hanover, MD, 21076 | (443) 842-7000 | Flutter |
| The Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino | Hollywood Casino Perryville | 1201 Chesapeake Overlook Pkwy, Perryville, MD 21903 | (410) 378-8500 | Kambi |
| TwinSpires Sportsbook | Ocean Downs Casino | 10218 Racetrack Rd., Berlin, MD, 21811 | (410) 641-0600 | Kambi |
Researching your bets is a great way to eliminate bias. Backing the home team feels good but might damage your bankroll.
Our how to bet guides provide actionable insights for new and intermediate bettors.
Marylanders are fond of gambling: Gaming revenue at the state's six casinos set a record high in July 2021 for the third time in five months.
CasinoMaryland is home to six land-based casinos, each of which received licenses for in-person sports betting. Traditional table games and slots aplenty are found at each of the casinos.
PokerIn Maryland, no laws prohibiting playing online poker exist. It falls within a grey area, meaning offshore sites are in play. However, there are four legit poker rooms in Maryland, including Maryland Live! Casino. The state’s largest casino hosts one of the stops on the World Poker Tour.
Horse racingMaryland boasts a rich horse racing history. The state is home to Pimlico Race Course, the host site for the annual Preakness Stakes, one of the sport’s Triple Crown events.
Horse racing enthusiasts can enjoy races at one of MD's five tracks. Betting-wise, they can wager online with the best horse racing betting sites in the U.S. — TVG, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica.
Daily fantasy sportsMaryland was one of the first states to pass a law explicitly legalizing fantasy sports. DFS operators are not required to complete a registration process or pay any registration fees, making it easier for new entrants to operate. DraftKings, FanDuel, Monkey Knife Fight, and Yahoo are among the more popular operators.
The collection of Maryland gambling taxes and fees contribute to funding responsible gambling education and support programs. Marylanders with gambling problems can leverage resources only a phone call — or a click — away.
Additionally, every licensed and legal sportsbook anticipated to launch in Maryland addresses responsible gaming as part of its platform.
Visit Maryland Alliance for Responsible GamblingMaryland is catching up with its already legalized Mid-Atlantic neighbors. Once MD formally legalizes sports betting, they will join these other states:
States moving toward legal sports betting are still numerous. Here are those which have the potential to legitimize sports gambling in the near future:
Legal, regulated options have come to Maryland – with more on the way. That means you don't need to risk your hard-earned cash or waste your time betting with sportsbooks that don't play by the rules.
If you come across any offshore sports betting site in Maryland, it is operating illegally.
Yes. There are five regulated and legal sports betting sites in MD: MGM National Harbor Casino, Horseshoe Casino, Live! Casino, Ocean Downs Casino, and Hollywood Casino Perryville.
The minimum gambling age is 21 for casino-style games and is the same for sports betting in Maryland. It is 18 for bingo, lottery games, and pari-mutuel betting.
Right now, the only locations to bet on sports in Maryland are at casinos featuring a retail sportsbook. MD bettors will soon gain the ability to wager online.
Not yet, but Maryland gamers will have the ability to wager on esports. House Bill 940 includes references "requiring certain fantasy competition operators to register with the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission."
Yes. Maryland allows betting on local professional teams and college sports, including wagering on in-state collegiate teams.
The Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Control Agency is tasked with regulating sports wagering.
Maryland will issue as many as 60 licenses. Holders of a retail license can apply along with mobile-only sportsbooks.
When MD lawmakers finalize online sports betting regulations, residents and visitors alike will have the ability to place wagers online.
Maryland will dole out 60 licenses for statewide mobile sportsbooks.
DraftKings does not currently offer sports betting in Maryland. However, you register with DraftKings for Daily Fantasy Sports.
Joshua Howe is a commercial content editor at Covers, assisting experts in making smarter sports bettors.
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