Maryland sports betting is legal and live after the industry launched online options on Nov. 23, 2022.
There are currently 11 online sportsbooks operating in the state, including FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, and DraftKings. The Old Line State’s sports wagering legislation allows for up to 60 Maryland sports betting licenses and 30 Class B facility licenses at full maturity.
Here, we discuss everything you need to know about Maryland sports betting laws, the latest industry news, other forms of gambling, and more.
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What's Happening in Maryland Sports Betting News Now?
Maryland Sports Betting: Quick Facts
With 11 Maryland sports betting apps to choose from, there are plenty of great options for bettors in the state to consider.
| ℹ️ Maryland Sports Betting | ✅ Available |
|---|---|
| 💰Types of Sports Betting | ✅📱Online ✅ 🏙 Retail |
| 📱Apps Now Live | 11 |
| 🏦 Online Registration | ✅ Available |
| 🏫 College Sports Betting | ✅ Available |
| 🏇🏻Online Horse Racing | ✅ Available |
| 🤑 DFS | ✅ Available |
| 🎰 Online Casinos | 🚫 Not available |
| ⚖️ Legal Betting Age | 21 years of age or older |
| 💲Tax Rate | 15% |
Maryland Sports Betting Laws
Maryland sports betting ultimately passed with the approval of HB0940 in May 2021. This bill opened the door for sportsbook operators to begin attaining sports wagering licenses in the state for both online and retail sports betting. Retail launched in December 2021, while online sports betting was delayed until November 2022.
The legalization effort in Maryland, although it took some time, was very deliberative on the part of lawmakers. While an initial sports betting bill almost passed in both the House and Senate, the House decided to strip the bill’s language over concerns that most people would not understand the exact specifics or consequences of legalizing sports betting.
Instead, they decided to propose sports betting legalization in a much simpler fashion. This was important because the people of Maryland would be required to vote on the measure on the November 2020 ballot for legalization to go anywhere in the future.
Although this delayed passage of sports betting legalization by at least a year, it ended up being a positive decision. The measure to legalize sports betting was passed by Maryland’s citizenry with overwhelming support in November 2020.
Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency
The Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency operates the Maryland Lottery and is responsible for regulatory oversight of the state’s casinos and sports wagering program.
Authorized by the General Assembly, the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency was formed as the State Lottery Agency by constitutional amendment in 1972. The agency began operation on Jan. 2, 1973, and began selling lottery tickets and awarding prizes by April 1973. In October 2012, it reformed under its present name with added responsibilities as regulator of casinos in Maryland.
The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) was established in Maryland’s sports wagering law (HB 940 of the 2021 regular session). The SWARC is authorized to conduct a competitive process to award up to 30 retail sports wagering licenses to entities not designated in the law, and up to 60 mobile sports wagering licenses.
Maryland Sports Betting Legalization Timeline
Maryland launches online sports betting on Nov. 23, 2022.
HB940 becomes the enabling legislation for Maryland sports betting and passes through the state legislature in April. The bill becomes law in July, and retail sports betting will launch in December.
Following the repeals of PASPA, HB1014, which would pose the issue of sports betting to Maryland voters via a ballot referendum, passes through the House. Despite its public support, the bill ultimately dies in the Senate.
Maryland Sports Betting Revenue and Handle
The launch of mobile sportsbook apps in Maryland continues to have a huge impact on the state’s sports betting revenue.
Maryland Lottery and Gaming reported that the statewide sports betting handle for August 2024 came in at $377,381,689, an increase over the July total of $333,269,669. The sports betting industry typically sees seasonal declines, but the pace rises again in August with the return of fall football.
Maryland sports betting apps accounted for $368,400,947 of the handle in August with retail accounting for $8,980,741. Overall, Maryland’s sports wagering market generated $5,584,303 in contributions to the state.
The sports wagering program’s cumulative contribution to the Blueprint Fund has surpassed the $100 million mark. Maryland’s first retail sportsbooks launched in December 2021, and mobile sports wagering began in November 2022.
There were 11 mobile platforms and 12 retail locations that operated during August 2024; 12 mobile sportsbooks and 12 retail locations operated during August 2023.
Each sportsbook contributes 15% of its taxable win to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public education programs.
Here are the statewide sports wagering totals for August 2024.
| Handle (Amount players wagered, including free promotional wagers) | Sports Wagering Tax (15% of the Taxable Win) |
|---|---|
| Retail: $8,980,741 (includes $1,100 in free promotional wagers) | Retail: $176,546 |
| Mobile: $368,400,947 (includes $1,128,170 in free promotional wagers) | Mobile: $5,407,758 |
| Combined: $$377,381,689 | Combined: $5,584,303 |
Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate $173,924,516 in revenue from slot machines and table games during August 2024, an increase of $12,525,826 (7.8%) compared to August 2023. It was the ninth-best single-month total in the history of Maryland’s casino program, which launched in September 2010.
Gov. Larry Hogan included state projections when he formally announced the launch of Maryland online sports betting on Nov. 22, 2023. Maryland expected about $123.3 million in gross gaming revenue in the first year of operation, which means about $26.4 million in new taxes.
By Year 5, those numbers grow to $542.4 million and $99.7 million in tax revenue.
Application fees for retail sports betting licenses for established casinos and major league sports venues is $250,000. The application fee for the fairgrounds, minor-league teams, and other smaller venues is $50,000. The application fee for a mobile sports wagering license is $500,000, plus a $100,000 annual renewal fee.
Mobile sports betting is also taxed at 15%, 2% more than New Jersey (the largest online betting market) taxes mobile sports betting.
| 🗓 August 2024 | 🗓 July 2024 | 🗓 June 2024 | 🗓 May 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏦 Total Retail: $8,980,741 | 🏦 Total Retail: $8,368,990 | 🏦 Total Retail: $11,268,992 | 🏦 Total Retail: $12,039,657 |
| 📱Total Online: $368,400,947 | 📱Total Online: $324,900,680 | 📱Total Online: $373,418,990 | 📱Total Online: $419,488,480 |
| 💰Total Handle: $377,381,689 | 💰Total Handle: $333,269,669 | 💰Total Handle: $384,687,982 | 💰Total Handle: $431,528,137 |
Maryland Retail Sportsbooks for In-Person Betting
Since Maryland joined the states with legal sports betting, several land-based casino operators have pushed for their own sportsbooks to acquire licensure so they could rake in double the revenue as before.
On Sept. 29, 2023, the Greene Turtle in Towson became the latest retail sportsbook location to open in Maryland when the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission issued a sports wagering facility license to Canton Gaming, LLC, and its operator partner Parx Interactive Maryland, Inc.
Sportsbooks at five of Maryland’s casinos opened in December 2021 (MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Live! Casino in Hanover, Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, Hollywood Casino in Perryville, and Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin). Four additional designated facilities opened from August to November 2022 (Bingo World in Brooklyn Park, Riverboat on the Potomac in Charles County, Greenmount Station in Hampstead, and Long Shot’s in Frederick). Riverboat on the Potomac closed in February 2024.
In total, Maryland could feature up to 17 retail locations that offer sports betting. This includes six casinos, seven off-track betting facilities, and three stadiums. All of the casinos have owners with connections to a sportsbook.
| Casino | City | Owner | Sportsbook Partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏦Horseshoe Baltimore Casino | Baltimore | Caesars Entertainment | 📱Caesars Sportsbook |
| 🏦Hollywood Casino Perryville | Perryville | Penn National Gaming | 📱Barstool Sportsbook |
| 🏦Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland | Hanover | The Cordish Companies | 📱FanDuel Sportsbook |
| 🏦MGM National Harbor | Oxon Hill | MGM | 📱BetMGM Sportsbook |
| 🏦Ocean Downs Casino | Worcester County | Churchill Downs Incorporated | 📱TwinSpires Sportsbook |
| 🏦Bingo World | Brooklyn Park | Bingo World | 📱BetRivers Sportsbook |
| 🏦Greenmount Station | Hampstead, Carroll County | Chris Richards and David Richardson | 📱betPARX |
| 🏦Long Shot's | Frederick | Alyse L. Cohen | 📱Betfred |
| 🏦 Fanatics Sportsbook at FedExField | Landover | Maryland Stadium Sub | 📱Fanatics |
| 🏦 The Greene Turtle | Canton | Canton Gaming, LLC | 📱betParx |
| 🏦 Sports & Social | North Bethesda | Whitman Gaming, Inc. | 📱 FanDuel |
| 🏦 The Greene Turtle | Towson | Canton Gaming, LLC | 📱betParx |
Maryland’s six privately owned casinos offer both slot machines and table games: MGM National Harbor, Live! Casino & Hotel; Horseshoe Casino, Ocean Downs Casino, Hollywood Casino Perryville, and Rocky Gap Casino Resort.
Visitors to these casinos will have access to a full-fledged sportsbook, where they can create an account, deposit or withdraw money, and make bets directly at the sportsbooks.
Other Types of Gambling in Maryland
| ✅ Approved Sports and Wagering Events | 🚫Unapproved Sports and Wagering Events |
|---|---|
| ✅ Major Sports Leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NFL) | 🚫 Academy Awards |
| ✅ College Sports | 🚫 Slap Fighting League |
| ✅ Motorsports | 🚫 Competitive Eating Contests |
| ✅ eSports | 🚫 Bare Knuckle Fighting |
| ✅ Golf | 🚫Jai-Alai |
| ✅ Soccer | 🚫 Sports or Leagues overseen by Russian or Belarusian governing bodies |
In addition to sports betting apps, Maryland offers a number of other online gaming options.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in Maryland
Maryland has legalized daily fantasy sports since 2012. Popular platforms such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo! are available in the state.
DFS operators are taxed at a 15% rate.
Social Sportsbooks in Maryland
Social sportsbooks such as Fliff and Rebet are both available in Maryland. Anyone over the age of 18 in Maryland is eligible to sign up with a social sportsbook.
Social sportsbooks operate on a sweepstakes model. Players exchange cash for virtual currencies and then place bets using virtual currencies. Any bets won using virtual currencies can ultimately be exchanged for cash.
Horse Racing Betting in Maryland
Simulcast horse betting locations are scattered throughout the state of Maryland. There is no legal limit to the number of OTBs that may operate in Maryland.
- Jockey Bar and Grille: 7700 Old National Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713
- Greenmount Station: 1631 N. Main Street, Hampstead, MD 21074
- Hollywood Casino Perryville: 1201 Chesapeake Overlook Pkwy, Perryville, MD 21903
- Horseshoe Casino: 1525 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
- MGM National Harbor Casino: 7100 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
- Pimlico Race Course (when they are not racing live): Hayward Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21215
- Timonium Fairgrounds: 2200 York Road, Lutherville, MD 21093
Maryland Horse Racing Tracks: Maryland is home to the historic Pimlico Race Course, which hosts the middle leg of the Triple Crown in the Preakness Stakes, as well as Laurel Park and the Maryland Million, a horse racing tradition dating back to 1743. Maryland’s five tracks for Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds are institutions of American horse racing.
Thoroughbred Tracks
- Laurel Park
- Pimlico Race Course
- Timonium Race Course
Harness Tracks
- Rosecroft Raceway
- Ocean Downs
Both Pimlico and Laurel are owned and operated by The Stronach Group, which does business as 1/ST. On Sept. 28, 2022, The Stronach Group introduced 1/ST Racing & Gaming, an enhanced division of the company that will position the core Thoroughbred horse racing business to fully capitalize on the future of sports wagering and gaming.
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Maryland Lottery
The Maryland Lottery was established in 1973, more than $19.3 million for the state. Lottery profits go to fund a number of government programs, including education, environment, public health, and safety programs.
The Maryland Lottery offers draw games such as PowerBall and Mega Millions, scratch-off games, Pull Tabs, and more.
Maryland Online Casinos
Online casino gaming is illegal in Maryland, though the state is on a short list of US states that have proposed iGaming legislation.
As things currently stand, Maryland voters will have the opportunity to allow a referendum on the November 2024 ballot regarding SB603.
The bill is backed by four of the six brick-and-mortar casinos in Maryland.
Maryland Online Poker
Online poker is currently illegal in Maryland. Those interested in playing poker must do so at one of the state’s retail casinos. Poker has been legal at retail casinos in Maryland since 2012.
Esports Betting in Maryland
Esports betting is currently legal in Maryland. Players can wager on Call of Duty, League of Legends, Dota 2, CSGO, and more.
Though esports betting was not included in the state’s initial sports betting bills in 2020 and 2021, the legislature ultimately added it to the list of legal bets before the state’s 2022 launch.
How Maryland Sports Betting Compares to Nearby States
Maryland is not the most draconian state regarding sports betting legalization efforts and gambling in general. Indeed, the state already operates six commercial casinos, which is notable as most other states with legal betting only allow casino games on tribal Native American land.
The launch of online sports betting furthers the state’s reputation for liberal gaming. While the state won’t legalize online casinos or poker sites, most US states have yet to legalize online sports betting. Maryland also has a state-run lottery for charitable gaming activities, such as bingo. As Christopher Gerlacher detailed, delays between retail and online sports betting are common. Michigan had a nine-month gap between retail and online sports betting.
While COVID-19 and other legislative hurdles certainly slowed the legalization process, Maryland has been fairly consistent in its push to legalize sports betting since 2018.
Maryland does not have online casinos like some neighbors, such as Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Pros and Cons of Maryland Sports Betting
Since legalizing sports betting in November 2022, Maryland has become one of the most expansive online betting markets in the United States. There are tons of terrific Maryland sportsbook promos to take advantage of.
The following are some pros and cons of Maryland sports betting.
Pros
11 online platforms Collegiate sports betting Retail sportsbooks inside professional sports venues
Cons
No online casino gaming
Maryland Responsible Gaming
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency is a founding member of the Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling (MARG), a statewide partnership focused on coordinating and maximizing resources to address responsible gambling concerns in Maryland.
The Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling was formed in 2010 and is comprised of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Maryland State Senate, Maryland House of Representatives, Maryland Council on Problem Gambling, Maryland Center for Excellence on Problem Gambling, along with a member representing the local casinos.
For FY 2023, Maryland casino revenue contributed $4.5 million to responsible gaming programs in the state.
In 2011, the MLGCA instituted a self-help program for individuals who wish to voluntarily exclude themselves from casino or lottery play. The program is also available at MLGCA-regulated bingo halls in Anne Arundel and Calvert counties, as well as for sports wagering and daily fantasy sports.
More Resources for Maryland Bettors
- Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling: mdproblemgambling.com
- Maryland Council on Problem Gambling: marylandproblemgambling.org
- National Council on Problem Gambling: ncpgambling.org
- Gamblers Anonymous International Maryland Hotline: 855-222-5542, gamblersanonymous.org
- Gam-Anon Family Group, 888-230-1123, gam-anon.org/meeting-directory
Maryland Sports Betting FAQ
Yes. Sports betting at retail sportsbooks is available in Maryland, and Maryland online betting sites launched on Nov. 23, 2022.
Currently, sports betting is the only form of legal online gambling in Maryland. That said, some bills have been proposed to the state legislature that would allow online casino gaming.
You must be over 21 and within state lines to place bets in Maryland.
Yes, DraftKings is legal and available for download in Maryland.
Yes. Anyone over 21 can place wagers using the FanDuel Sportsbook app in Maryland.
No. You do not need to be a resident of Maryland to bet via a Maryland sports betting app. You also do not need to have a Maryland license to bet. However, you must be at least 21 years old and physically in the state to participate in sports betting.
You need to be 21 years or older to place online sports bets or to visit any brick-and-mortar casino. That is the age anyone must be to participate in any gambling activity in Maryland.
Yes, it is legal to bet on college sports in Maryland. Maryland sports fans can bet on teams like the Maryland Terrapins and Navy Midshipmen. Some states have restrictions for local institutions, but Maryland does not.
No. Betting on offshore sportsbooks such as Bovada, MyBookie, and more is strictly prohibited in Maryland.
Recent Maryland Sports Betting News
Bally Bet Arrives as SuperBook, Betfred Exit Maryland Sports Betting Market
LetsBetMD Joins the Fray as a New Maryland Sports Betting Year Begins
FanDuel DC Wasn’t a Beltway Bummer for Virginia, Maryland Sports Betting
Maryland Sports Betting Rebounds With Strong Handle, Revenue in March
Maryland Online Casino Bill Fails to Pass in 2024
More Like Maryland: States With Legal Betting
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