Maryland Sports Betting – Best MD Sportsbooks 2024
For the people of Maryland, sports betting finally became a reality in December 2021, a year after voting to make it happen. That month, the first five legal sportsbooks opened in the Old Line State, a region which has long supported the gambling industry. Online sports betting would follow another year later, with seven mobile sites launching on November 23, 2022.
Although it’s still early days, our Maryland sports betting guide takes a look at what you can expect to find. We’ll discuss the most popular bet types, bonuses and payment options found in the state. As well as delving into the history leading up to the legalization of sports betting in MD. We’ll also attempt to predict whether or not the bookmaking industry will prove successful in this part of the country.
So without further ado, let’s jump right into our guide to sports betting in Maryland. We’ll kick things off by revealing the top sportsbooks in the state for those looking to get started.
Best Online Sports Betting Sites in Maryland
Since Maryland sports betting only began online towards the end of 2022, many of the biggest bookies are yet to launch. But at the time of writing, seven of the 60 available mobile betting licenses have been taken up.
Our team of industry experts has checked each one of these against an exhaustive list of criteria, so that you don’t have to. We make sure every brand is fully compliant with the local law, as well as deploying the latest on-site security to protect your sensitive data.
We also assess the available odds, promotions, customer support and dozens of other factors. We only recommend the best sites which offer a premium sportsbook experience. Here are the top sports betting brands in Maryland today.
Contents
This guide to Maryland sports betting will go into detail on a wide range of subjects. So feel free to navigate to parts you’re most interested in using the table of contents below. Here’s what we’re going to discuss.
- Best Betting Sites Maryland
- Online Sports Betting Defined
- Is Sports Betting Legal in Maryland?
- Common Sports Betting Options in Maryland
- Potential Growth of Maryland Sports Betting
- Is Sports Betting Popular in MD?
- Types of Bonus in Online Sports Betting
- Popular Sports For Betting
- How to Sign up for Online Sports Betting in Maryland
- Banking
- Responsible Gambling
- FAQ
Online Sports Betting Defined
First things first, we need to make it clear what we are talking about in this guide to Maryland sports betting. It’s possible, for example, to play skill games for money, such as Daily Fantasy Sports. But that’s not what we’re discussing here.
Sports betting is attempting to predict the outcome of a game, or a specific event within a contest, and betting on it. It might be the exact number of points scored or it could relate to the performance of an individual player. Whatever it is, if you can win or lose money on that specific proposition, then you’re involved in sports betting.
For many, sports betting is simply a hobby which adds a little extra thrill to their favorite pastime. But others find that they can make consistent profits by wagering on sports, with some even doing it professionally. Whichever category you fall into, this Maryland sports betting guide should help you find everything you need to know.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Maryland?
Yes. The people of Maryland have long supported gambling on sports. For instance, Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is home to the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of American horse racing’s Triple Crown. MD also has a state-run lottery, while casinos were legalized in 2008. So when the USA permitted states to decide for themselves on sports betting, it was only a matter of time.
The process kicked off in 2020, when voters elected to legalize betting. This was a requirement of Maryland’s constitution. But not long after the vote, Governor Larry Hogan found himself signing HB 940 into law in May 2021. A month later, all of the necessary regulations were in place and signed off too. By the end of the year, on December 9, 2021, the first retail sportsbook opened in MD. The state can issue a total of 40 retail licenses, although only seven are operational at the moment.
Online Sports Betting
In terms of online sports betting in Maryland, the launch was not until November 23, 2022. Although lawmakers can potentially grant up to 60 mobile sportsbook licenses, just seven brands were ready in time for launch day. Since then, the number has risen to eight, with a further 11 expected to launch during 2023.
Although it’s not technically legal, many residents of Maryland also enjoy offshore sports betting sites. Because they are based outside of the USA, it’s extremely difficult for the authorities to control the operations of such sportsbooks. Many of them accept players from the United States and these people bet freely with no repercussions. Such sportsbooks often provide bigger promotions and better odds than many US-based bookmakers.
Common Sports Betting Options in Maryland
All sports bettors have their preferred way of playing and those in Maryland are no exception. Here are the most popular betting markets in the Old Line State at the moment.
Moneyline
The most straightforward sports bet of all is the moneyline. Here you’ll see the odds of each team or individual to win the match. So in a football game, for instance there are just two options to choose from. The odds represent the relative probability of each team winning.
Spread
All good Maryland sports betting sites will offer handicap spreads. These are particularly popular when the moneyline odds are too far apart, because one team is much better than the other. By giving the underdog a head start, it makes things more competitive. For your bet to win, the chosen team will have to win by enough points to cover the spread.
Totals
Often referred to as “Over/Under” lines, totals involve trying to predict things like the number of goals in a soccer match. You don’t need to get the exact number correct. But instead, the bookmaker provides a theoretical amount, and you simply guess whether the real total will be more or less.
Futures
Attempting to predict what might happen months down the line is notoriously difficult. Whether it’s the winner of next year’s Preakness Stakes or predicting the Super Bowl champions, it’s never easy. As such, the odds tend to be a little bigger with futures. And that’s why they’re among the most popular Maryland sports betting markets.
In-Play
It’s not just Maryland sports betting firms whose business has been impacted by the growth of live, in-play betting. This is actually a worldwide trend and today, such lines make up over half of a bookmaker’s sales. You can bet live on almost every sport these days, not just the nation’s favorites like hockey, football, baseball and basketball.
Parlay
The idea of winning a big sum of money appeals to everyone. The aim of a parlay is to combine multiple smaller bets into a single, larger wager. Because all picks now have to win to gain a return, it’s much harder to achieve. But as a result, the returns are much greater. And this is highly appealing to many Maryland sports betting fans.
Teasers
A teaser allows you to tweak elements of a parlay to improve your chances of winning what is a difficult bet. You can adjust the handicap in your favor, for example. Doing so reduces the potential returns slightly as a trade-off. But it’s still very hard to land a teaser and so the payoff can be huge.
Potential Growth of Maryland Sports Betting
Online sports betting in Maryland may still be new, but its potential is extremely exciting. Any state which is home to multiple professional sports teams is ripe for a successful bookmaking industry. And with solid figures from the first year of retail operations, the projections for Maryland look good.
In October 2022, a month before the first online sportsbooks launched, the betting handle for Maryland fell slightly short of $40 million. But now that mobile betting here is, we can expect these figures to soar.
The population of the Old Line State is a little under 6.2 million. This is comparable to other states such as Indiana (6.8 million) and Arizona (7.3 million). In their first year of legalized sports betting, Indiana’s handle was around $1.2 billion, while in Arizona, it was an impressive $5.43 billion. It seems fair to assume that Maryland’s numbers could easily fall between those figures.
Is Sports Betting Popular in MD?
We already alluded to the existing Maryland sports betting revenues, which are extremely healthy in the retail sphere. And even though it’s early days for the mobile betting apps, we expect these to prove even more popular. There are several factors which lead us to believe this:
- Popularity of sport in general. The state of Maryland has two professional NFL franchises, as well as the Baltimore Orioles in the MLB. Not to mention countless amateur teams. Marylanders just love their sport.
- Betting adds excitement. If you’re watching a game on the television in which you wouldn’t normally support one of the teams, betting spices things up. People are consuming more televised sports than ever before.
- Everyone loves to win money. Who doesn’t love to win? It’s fun to claim the bragging rights over your buddies, but it’s even better picking up some cold hard cash. The chance to earn money from your sports knowledge is hard to resist.
- Sportsbooks are so accessible. Thanks to advances in the internet and mobile technology, it’s never been easier to place online bets. That’s true of anywhere in the world and we’re seeing sportsbook growth trends across the planet.
- Generous odds and promotions. In what is already a competitive industry, bookmakers have to work hard to retain custom. With so many tempting promotions and generous odds around, there’s never been a better time to be a sports bettor.
1. Popularity of Sport
The states which generate the largest sports betting sales figures tend to have a long history of both playing and watching sports. They usually have professional teams, too. So Maryland, which is home to the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders and the Baltimore Orioles, looks set up for success.
2. Betting Adds Excitement
It’s not just Maryland where sports betting is used to add a little extra interest to an otherwise boring game. The truth is, sports just matter that little bit more when there’s money riding on the outcome. If you’re bored on the sofa with nothing better to do than watch a game, why wouldn’t you throw a few bucks into the equation to pep things up?
3. Winning Money
There’s a reason why lotteries and other forms of gambling have always performed so well throughout history. Humans just love the chance to win money. Whether you’re a professional bettor or a casual player, the opportunity to spin a few cents up to a sizable payout is just too good to turn down. Parlays are already especially popular in the USA and Maryland sports bettors are no different.
4. Ease of Access
When mobile sports betting launched in Maryland, there were already seven brands to choose from. With a possible 60 licenses up for grabs, the accessibility of sports wagering is only going to increase over time. Everyone has a mobile phone in their pocket these days, with internet speeds faster than ever before. So the growth of betting feels inevitable.
5. Competitive Promos and Odds
There are more signup incentives and loyalty bonuses in the sports betting world than ever before. Residents of Maryland will be spoiled for choice and such generous promotions will only lead to an increase in sales. And with so many betting sites and apps to pick from, they have to offer the best possible service, which further drives up standards across the board.
Types of Bonus in Online Sports Betting
Speaking of sportsbook bonuses and offers, let’s now take a look at what’s actually in store for new Maryland sports betting customers. In this section, we’ll share some of the top promotions that you should be looking to take advantage of.
First Time Deposit Bonus
Since mobile sites are still very new, all Maryland sports betting businesses will be looking to attract new players. As such, you should keep your eyes peeled for attractive signup bonuses. And one of the most common is the first time deposit bonus.
You’ll have to fund your newly created account with a real money deposit. But the sportsbook will match whatever you add to your wallet with a bonus. For instance, if we’re talking about a 150% deposit bonus, you’d receive $150 in free bets for loading $100 into your account.
Reload Bonus
The reload bonus is quite similar to a first time deposit bonus in terms of its mechanics. The only real difference is that it rewards subsequent deposits. It’s basically a “thank you” for staying loyal to the betting site. The percentages involved tend to be a little lower than for a first time deposit bonus.
Free Bet
As the name implies, a free bet gives you a shot at placing a wager without the need to spend your own money. They can be used as a signup bonus, or you might receive one through a loyalty program.
However you get your hands on a free bet token, you’ll be able to win cash from selected markets. Usually though, the stake will not be returned to the player, who only keeps any profits made.
Risk-Free Bet
Several Maryland sports betting sites have opted for the risk-free bet as a welcome offer, instead of a deposit match bonus. This basically offers a sort of insurance against your first real money bet.
If your wager wins, there’s no issue – you simply keep your money as normal. But should the bet go south, you’ll receive a free bet of equal value as compensation. This gives you a second shot at winning, hence the term “risk-free”.
Odds Boost
No matter where you are in the world, odds boosts are becoming increasingly common with sports betting companies. Some bookies allow you to choose the markets that you’d like to enhance, with a limited number of boost tokens. But other sites just offer regular promotions, such as “Happy Hour” deals.
You’ll also find sites offering parlay boosts, which reward winning bets with improved payouts.
Loyalty Program
All of the best Maryland sports betting sites make sure to look after their existing players. That’s why you’ll often find loyalty programs, which work a little like air miles. The more you bet, the more points you’ll accrue.
As you climb through the ranks, the potential rewards get better and better. You can usually swap points for free bets, as well as tangible gifts like merchandise and tickets to sporting events.
Popular Sports For Betting
As we mentioned earlier, we believe that Maryland sports betting will be a big success for several reasons. But perhaps the main one is that the locals just love sport. With three major professional franchises across the country’s two most popular sports, it’s not hard to see why. But there are plenty of college and minor league teams in the region too.
Here are the most popular sports for betting in MD.
- Football
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Motor sports
- Golf
- Ice Hockey
- Tennis
- Soccer
The Baltimore Ravens have been particularly successful in recent years, winning the Super Bowl as recently as 2012. Led by star quarterback Lamar Jackson, they frequently make the play-offs. The Commanders may not have won a Super Bowl since 1991, but they certainly have a long history.
How to Sign up for Online Sports Betting in Maryland
It might feel a little overwhelming at first, but it’s actually very easy to get started with a Maryland sports betting site. Simply follow the step-by-step guide below and you’ll be up and running in no time at all.
- To begin with, you’ll need to pick your preferred betting site. We suggest sticking to those named on this page, since they are legal and we’ve tested them for security. You’re guaranteed a pleasant experience with these bookmakers.
- Visit the sportsbook by clicking through our links. This ensures that you don’t end up at a clone site that’s seeking to steal your data.
- Next it’s time to register. Fill in each field carefully on the signup form. Any mistakes here could potentially cause problems further down the line, leading to delayed withdrawals.
- Don’t forget to pick a bonus. Some betting sites need you to insert a promo code on the registration form, so pay attention! If you don’t add the right code here, you could miss out on a generous welcome offer.
- Visit the cashier to add some funds to your wallet. After all, there can be no sports betting without real money! Choose your preferred banking option and follow the on-screen instructions.
- That’s it! Once your deposit is complete, you’re free to browse the various odds found at your chosen sportsbook. Click on them to add selections to your betslip, then enter a stake when you’re happy with your bet. Good luck!
Banking
Each one of the different Maryland sports betting companies will have its own selection of banking methods. Below is a list of the most common options found in the Old Line State, for making deposits and requesting withdrawals.
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Discover
- Cash deposits at physical locations
- Bank Transfers
- Paypal
- Paysafecard
- EcoPayz
- Skrill
- Neteller
- Apple Pay
- Cryptocurrency
Responsible Gambling
For most people in Maryland, sports betting is nothing more than a bit of fun. But unfortunately, some people can lose control of their hobbies. If you’re concerned about your own behavior, or that of someone else, don’t panic. You are not alone and there are people you can turn to for assistance. You should begin by contacting any of the following groups.
- Maryland Center of Excellence On Problem Gambling. This program is organized by the Maryland School of medicine and funded by the Department of Health’s Behavioral Health Administration. Visit mdproblemgambling.com or call 1-800-426-2537 any time of day if you’re struggling.
- National Problem Gambling Helpline. Alternatively, you can reach out 24/7 to the NPGH on 1-800-522-4700. Check out ncpgambling.org for additional information regarding this charity organization.
- Gamblers Anonymous. Created back in 1957, GA follows a famous 12-step program based on community and spiritual support. Visit gamblersanonymous.org for further information.
Useful Tools
Although we hope it doesn’t come to this, you may also wish to consider using some of the below tools. All of the best Maryland sports betting sites offer such measures to help control your betting. These include:
- Time Limit. Configure a pop-up to appear after a fixed amount of time spent on the betting site. This serves to remind you that it’s time to take a break.
- Deposit Limit. Set a cap on the amount of money you can load to your sportsbook account in a given period of time.
- Loss Limit. Certain betting sites also allow you to impose an upper limit on the amount of money you can lose. This is particularly helpful with spread betting sites.
- Time Out. Temporarily block access to your betting account for however long you wish.
- Self Exclusion. Impose a total ban at your chosen betting site. Not only will your account be closed, but the betting site will never contact you again with promotional material. They will also block your details to prevent the opening of new accounts.
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