Can You Bet On Sports Online In Maryland?

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Maryland came into sports betting trying to create an even playing field for various operators. This effort involved the study, recommendation, and implementation of regulations to assist women and minority-owned businesses trying to enter a difficult market for newcomers.

This study delayed Maryland’s launch date for months and months, but now there are unique rules in place to open the betting market to those interested.

Despite the snail-like pace it took regulators to open the application window, Maryland’s focus on competition expects to put them in the upper tier of states based on the number of licensed sportsbooks taking bets.

News Updates

• October 21, 2022: Application window for mobile betting licenses closed.
• September 9, 2022: Riverboat on the Potomac launches retail sports betting.
• September 6, 2022: Application window for mobile betting licenses opened.
• August 26, 2022: Maryland’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC)formally publishes mobile betting regulations.
• August 17, 2022: Washington Commanders granted a retail betting license.
• August 1, 2022: BingoWorld launches retail sports betting.
• July 13, 2022: SWARC announced their mobile betting regulations and will formally post them in August.
• June 17, 2022: MLGCC opened their submission system for mobile license applicants to start applying, although they cannot submit until a formal declaration is made.
• June 15, 2022: Governor Hogan publicly urges SWARC to allow mobile sports betting as soon as possible.
• March 16, 2022: BingoWorld granted a retail betting license.
• December 23, 2021: Hollywood Casino launches sports betting.
• December 20, 2021: Greenmount Station granted a retail betting license.
• December 17, 2021: Ocean Downs Casino launches sports betting.
• December 16, 2021: Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) amend betting regulations to allow for those in the state to log into a mobile sportsbook (but cannot place a bet). They also prevent anyone from placing a bet on someone’s behalf.
• December 10, 2021: Horseshoe Baltimore and Maryland Live! launch sports betting.
• December 9, 2021: MGM National Harbor becomes the first location to launch retail sports betting.
• December 8, 2021: SWARC approved retail licenses for Riverboat on the Potomac and Long Shot’s.
• November 18, 2021: SWARC approves Hollywood Casino Perryville, Horseshoe Baltimore, Maryland Live! Casino, MGM National Harbor, and Ocean Downs for a retail betting license. Twelve other locations are allowed to apply for a retail license before the application window opens to the public.
• July 15, 2021: Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency posted the state’s betting regulations on the Maryland Register for public comment.
• May 18, 2021: Governor Larry Hogan signs HB940.
• April 12, 2021: Senate amends and passes the House version of HB940 (47-0), and the House also passes the final version (124-14).
• March 5, 2021: Sports wagering regulation bill (HB940) passed the Ways and Means Committee 21-0 (1 member excused).
• November 3, 2020: Referendum question 2 on the ballot, which allows sports betting at licensed facilities, passed with 67% of the vote.

Maryland Sports Betting Licenses

Maryland’s law designated five types of licenses for businesses interested in sports betting. In total, Maryland has allocated 60 licenses for mobile sportsbooks and 30 class B facility licenses for those interested in operating in the Old-Line State.

Each licensee is granted a 1.5-mile exclusion zone where no other business can operate a retail sportsbook. Hollywood Casino, Ocean Downs Casino and Rocky Gap Casino are granted a 15-mile radius.

A-1 Facility – Sports Stadiums and venues with over 1,000 video lottery terminals (i.e. slot machines)

• $2 million application fee

A-2 Facility – Racetracks and venues with less than 1,000 video lottery terminals.

• $1 million application fee

B-1 Facility – Businesses with 25 or more employees or $3 million in gross receipts

• $250,000 application fee

B-2 Facility – Businesses with less than 25 employees or $3 million in gross receipts

• $50,000 application fee

Mobile License – Anyone

• $500,000 application fee

Is Sports Betting Legal In Maryland?

As of December 2021, you can place an in-person bet in Maryland. Mobile betting, on the other hand, is expected to start in late 2022.

Marylanders can place a wager on professional sports and collegiate sports but not on high school events.

Legal Sportsbooks

Property	Sports Betting Partner
Maryland Live! Casino	FanDuel
MGM National Harbor	BetMGM
Horseshoe Casino	Caesars
Hollywood Casino	Barstool
Ocean Downs Casino	Twinspires
BingoWorld	BetRivers
Riverboat on the Potomac	PointsBet

Designated Retail Locations

Maryland law allowed 17 entities to apply for a brick-and-mortar license in 2021, more than a year before the application window formally opened in September 2022.

Property	Location
Maryland Live! Casino	Hanover
MGM National Harbor	Oxon Hill
Horseshoe Casino	Baltimore
Hollywood Casino	Perryville
Ocean Downs Casino	Berlin
BingoWorld	Baltimore
Riverboat on the Potomac	Colonial Beach, VA
Long Shot’s	Frederick
Jockey Bar and Grill	Boonsboro
State Fairgrounds	Timonium
Greenmount Station	Hampstead
Rocky Gap Casino	Flintstone
Laurel Park/Pimlico Racetrack	Baltimore
Rod n’ Reel	Chesapeake Beach
Camden Yards	Baltimore
FedEx Field	Landover
M&T Stadium	Baltimore

Maryland Sports Betting Taxes

Sportsbooks are taxed at a 15% rate. All the revenue goes to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund. This fund was created in 2019 and is dedicated to public education (pre-K, primary and secondary) to offer a “world-class education to students.”

While other states direct a small portion of the taxes from sportsbooks towards a problem gambling fund, Maryland does not. The only money from sports betting that goes into the state’s problem gambling fund comes from the rare instance when a winning ticket is not collected.

The problem gambling fund is instead filled by the casino industry. The 2022 fiscal year saw $4.4 million, about 0.2% of the state’s casino revenue, funneled into the fund.

Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses

Maryland’s sports betting law has a unique dedication to minority- and women-owned businesses. 5% of the application fee from A-1 and A-2 facilities are funneled into the newly created Small, Minority-Owned, and Women-Owned Business Sports Wagering Assistance fund. This money awards grants and loans to businesses looking to enter the betting industry.

The sports betting bill also directs SWARC to work with the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs, Maryland Department of Transportation and the Office of the Attorney General to assess potential ways to help minority- and women-owned businesses in the betting industry.

SWARC decided to add a regulation mandating that applicants must demonstrate at least 5% of their direct or indirect ownership has a personal net worth of less than $1.847 million.

Sports operators who seek investors must make a good-faith effort to find minority and women investors as well.

How Maryland Compares

Maryland is far from the first state in its region to legalize sports betting. Here’s how it stacks up against nearby markets.

Maryland	Virginia	West Virginia	D.C.	Pennsylvania
In-Person Betting	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Online Betting	No	Yes	Yes	Yes (only through GambetDC), or near a retail facility.	Yes
College Betting	Yes	Only on non-Virginia Schools	Yes	Only on non-D.C. schools	Yes
Tax rate on sportsbooks	15%	15%	10%	10%	36%

Maryland Teams

You can bet on all of Maryland’s most popular teams at the state’s sportsbooks.

Baltimore Orioles

The current franchise debuted in 1954 after coming from St. Louis. Since their inaugural 54-100 season, they won 6 AL pennants and 3 World Series titles. They play in Camden Yards, which carries a rustic feel with the massive B&O Warehouse overlooking right field.

Baltimore Ravens

In 1996 the Ravens came over from Cleveland and played in Memorial Stadium until the new stadium next to Camden Yards was completed in 1998. Now called M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens have enjoyed consistent success winning Super Bowls XXXV and XLVII.

Maryland Terrapins

A former founding member of the ACC, the University of Maryland now plays in the Big Ten. A perennial powerhouse in men’s and women’s lacrosse, the school also has accomplished basketball teams, winning the NCAA Men’s tournament in 2002.

Washington Commanders

Though they represent D.C., the Commanders practice in Virginia and since 1997, they’ve played their home games at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. While the team has struggled to compete consistently under new owner Dan Snyder, the franchise performed well in the 80s and early 90s. The Commanders (using their former name) won Super Bowls XVII, XXII and XXVI.

D.C. Teams

Maryland’s proximity to D.C. means there is an extensive fanbase for the Washington Nationals, Washington Capitals, D.C. United, Washington Wizards, and Georgetown Hoyas.

Maryland Team Partnerships

DraftKings: The Boston Company partnered with the Baltimore Ravens as its daily fantasy, sports betting and free-to-play partner in August 2021. You will see signs inside M&T Stadium, and they will be mentioned in the team’s podcast and radio broadcast.

FanDuel: The New York subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment struck a partnership with the Washington Commanders in January 2021, although the agreement only gives them access in the Commonwealth of Virginia, where the team practices. FanDuel will still be the daily fantasy partner of the team, and the deal gives the company a large sign at FedEx Field in Landover, MD.

BetMGM: The sportsbook from MGM Resorts and Entain signed an agreement with the Baltimore Ravens to be its gaming partner in May 2021. The deal gives BetMGM signs throughout the stadium and a private suite. BetMGM can also offer Ravens-specific promotions to bettors.

Caesars: Baltimore’s lone casino is the Horseshoe, and it’s the Baltimore Ravens’ official casino partner. Its sportsbook also signed a deal with the Ravens in September 2021, giving Caesars naming rights in the club level of M&T Bank Stadium and signs throughout the venue.

SuperBook Sports: In August 2022, the Las Vegas sportsbook announced a partnership with the Baltimore Orioles. SuperBook will have a sports lounge and signs throughout Camden Yards. The sportsbook will also be featured on the team’s social media accounts and posts.

PointsBet: The Australian company partnered with the University of Maryland in December 2021, the first agreement of its kind in the Big Ten Conference. As part of the deal, PointsBet will have signage at Xfinity Center and Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. The sportsbook will also educate staff and students about responsible gaming.

Payment Methods

For online bettors in Maryland, there are a few ways you can expect to fund your betting account. You can use your debit/credit card, set up an ACH transfer with your bank or use a digital payment from PayPal.

Likewise, you can withdraw funds from your sportsbook account either with a bank transfer, PayPal or by requesting a check to be mailed to you. These methods will take time, usually a few days. A check by mail typically takes 7-14 days.

Other payment and withdrawal methods may be available in Maryland depending on the sportsbook you use.

For those betting in person, the vast majority of bets are placed in cash. Sportsbooks can take checks as long as they are from a personal account. They cannot take a social security check, disability check, etc. Unlike online accounts the payouts are immediate and in cash at a retail sportsbook.

Maryland Sportsbook Promotions

For those setting up their first account with a sportsbook, there will most likely be a promotion offered to welcome you to the platform.

No sweat first bet (aka risk-free first bet) is the most common. If your first bet loses, you will be given a non-withdrawable “free bet” equal to your first wager (up to a limit) as a sort of second chance.

One very important point, however, is that if your redemption bet hits, you only get the winnings. For example, if you bet $100 on the Ravens moneyline at odds of -178, the normal payout would be $156 ($56 in winnings plus your initial wager). If you use a free bet, you’ll only get the $56 in winnings.

Deposit Bonuses offer some of the highest dollar amounts in the world of sportsbook bonuses. A sportsbook will match your deposit (usually in free bets but not always). The one catch is there is most likely a playthrough requirement, meaning you need to bet a certain amount before the free bets are “unlocked” and allowed to be used.

If you are lucky, the playthrough is 1X or near it, meaning you just need to bet your deposit on low-risk bets. Some are 5X, so if you deposit $100 you need to bet $500 in a limited timeframe.

Odds Boosts are also an option. Sportsbooks will pay far greater odds for a bet that is reasonably expected to hit. This is ideal for someone who doesn’t want to risk too much as a bettor. An example would be to bet $10 on any basketball game and win $150 in free bets if any player hits a three-pointer. These types of boosts are often seasonal. You might find a basketball-related bonus around the start of the NBA season, or perhaps a hockey betting bonus during the NHL playoffs.

Types of Bets at Maryland Sportsbooks

Point Spread: The most common type of wager, spreads allow you to bet on every game despite a completely uneven matchup. The sportsbooks will set an imaginary number of points the favored team must win by to win the bet.

If the last-place Nationals are playing the Dodgers, you may not feel comfortable putting money on Washington, but if you still win if the Nats lose by one run, that’s a different story.

Moneyline: The simplest bet you can make is who will win. That’s what a moneyline bet is: a wager on a team to win. The caveat is the payouts reflect the risk you are really making. A first-place Ravens team beating the Steelers may be priced at -400 (bet $400 to win $100). The risk goes both ways, however, so picking the Washington Wizards over the Golden State Warriors could be +300 (bet $100 to win $300).

Over/Under: If you are unsure who will win the game but want to bet, you can consider the Over/Under. This wager is on the total amount of points scored by both teams combined. The sportsbook sets a specific number, i.e. 8.5 in the Capitals-Penguins game. If 9 or more runs are scored, the “Over” hits. Eight or fewer, and the “Under” hits.

Prop Bets: These are specific bets not tied to the final score, meaning they can hit (or miss) at any point during a game. Adley Rutschman to hit a home run, Bradley Beal to make fewer than 3 three-pointers, Carson Wentz to throw over 240 yards, etc.

Futures: You can find the highest payout by picking who will win the championship, MVP or another similar award. You will need to wait all season to cash out or rip up your ticket, but it may be worth it if you get it right.

Parlays: Parlays are the riskiest bets to make, but also the most potentially lucrative. You are combining multiple bets into a single ticket. If one bet goes wrong, the rest of your ticket is busted. However, the odds dramatically increase if you include more bets in the parlay.