Maryland Sports Betting

🤪 ­Maryland sports betting is thriving after lawmakers gave the green light for online sportsbooks to open there in November 2022. Here, we break down all you need to know about online sports gambling in the Free State, including all the legalities, top sportsbooks available, as well as markets available for you to bet on.

Where to Place Sports Bets in Maryland?

Is Sports Betting Legal in Maryland?

🔯 Sports betting in Maryland has been legal since November 2022. Residents were given the option whether to permit the activity after the United States Supreme Court repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992.

ꦓ The locals opted to allow sports betting in the Free State, and once legalization was agreed locally in April 2021, the first retail sportsbook opened eight months later. However, it took more time for online sports betting to be given the green light as operators were forced to wait almost another year for permission to open their online betting sites.

🎀 Once lawmakers finalized the agreement, operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel were able to open their sites for registrations in the region for Maryland sports betting. DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM — among others — all have licenses granted through the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.

ꦓ These operators have already enjoyed strong presence in the state through their brick-and-mortar venues. They since brought their stellar sportsbooks into Maryland, offering users all the perks of their markets, odds and promotions, as well as other impressive features.

🎃 There's a wide variety of sports available when betting in Maryland, including college sports, and almost every event is available through the leading sportsbooks in the region. Betting here has already taken off dramatically with reports of record revenue figures for the top operators, which is also good news for the Free State due to tax regulation.

𒀰 Up to 10 sportsbooks are operational in Maryland, but the regulation from the state allows up to 47 retail sportsbooks and 60 online sportsbooks to operate in the region. So, we should expect more sportsbooks to move into Maryland in the future.

Present & Future of Maryland Sports Betting

💖 Maryland sports betting is legal and has been operational since 2021. Retail sportsbooks were the first to open, with DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM among the first to open venues in the Free State. Once online sports gambling was permitted, operators immediately launched their betting site and app in the region.

🔴 The regulations are simple for all residents to follow: bettors must be over the age of 21 and physically located in Maryland to bet online. Nothing has changed in regard to these regulations since they were passed in 2021, and will probably not change any time soon.

♌ The industry is thriving in Maryland as a new state record was set in March 2023, with nearly $386 million in handle. It has continually grown since online sports betting was approved by the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Agency in November 2022.

꧂ Legalisation is currently being discussed to ensure that all betting partnerships at colleges are made public to protect the integrity of all sports. Further licenses have been approved to allow Super Book Sportsbook and Queens Sportsbook to operate in the Free State in the future.

Sports Betting Revenue & Taxation in Maryland

💦 You do need to pay tax on your sports betting earnings in Maryland, the amount depending on your overall income. Your gambling winnings are collected through your state and federal taxes. The state tax in Maryland ranges between 2% and 5.75%, while there is also 24% withholding tax on all your gambling winnings.

🔯 Your taxable net income for an average single person starts with 2% at $1,000 and meets a threshold after earnings of $250,000, which is taxed up to 5.75% with a starting levy of $12,760. So, you will need to keep a record of your gambling winnings, however big or small. However, bear in mind that the tax on your winnings will be relative to your overall earnings.

🦋 The sportsbooks are taxed at a rate of 13% for both retail and online, which is significantly lower than some other states in the country. New York and Rhode Island's tax rate, for instance, is above 50%.

Comparison of TOP Sportsbooks

👍 Maryland has 10 active sportsbooks in the region, but these three sportsbooks stand out from the rest of the field due to the overall quality of their product online.

DraftKings Sportsbook

One of the most recognizable brands in the sports betting industry, DraftKings𓆏 has brought its outstanding sportsbook to Maryland. Users can expect to see a wide range of betting markets available for all sports across the board.

🍷 Its coverage of the top four sports in the United States is outstanding, with hundreds of betting markets available pre-game for all bet types, including moneyline, props, spreads, and totals. DraftKings also offers futures markets throughout the calendar year, ensuring that there is always a sports bet available for one of the leading four sports.

⛦ If you want to bet on the NFL, NBA, NHL, or MLB, DraftKings is one of the best places to be, offering excellent value on its betting odds across the board.

♛ Given the healthy competition between Maryland sportsbooks, the leading operators will try to increase the value given to users. DraftKings is particularly noteworthy in the value it provides on its odds for the NFL.

🌄 The true strength of its product is the range of its markets and sports covered. As easily as you can find odds for the NFL or NBA, you can also find top odds for handball or cricket. DraftKings carries markets and odds for esports for titles including DOTA 2, Call of Duty, and League of Legends.

𝔍 This bookie also offers an outstanding range of betting promotions, which can include bonus bets, profit boosts, and odds boosts across all sports, but particularly around the four major sports in the US. Their welcome offer for new customers is also great, with a deposit bonus 100% worth up to $1,000.

🍎 DraftKings has a great range of features online, such as cash-outs and same-game parlays. On the downside, one issue is the lack of livestreaming available to watch NFL and NBA games online — compared to its rivals, DraftKings has fallen behind in this regard.

🃏 Overall, DraftKings is one of the premier sportsbooks around, but still needs to fine-tune a few issues to make it stand apart from its rivals.

FanDuel

FanDuelܫ is one of the best sportsbooks around, recognizable due to its look and notable daily fantasy game, and its clean aesthetics make navigating straightforward.

🎃 You’ll see straight away that there are extensive betting markets available for a wide range of sports. FanDuel ensures that it matches DraftKings in that regard, not only covering the major US sports, but also focusing on niche options such as Aussie rules and handball.

🅰 There are hundreds of betting markets available for the leading sports, ensuring you’ve got more than enough options for wagering online on the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL. FanDuel offers great value on all of its markets, and even provides no juice odds for certain sports, allowing them to beat out their rivals on prices.

💧 Look out for these markets for NBA betting, which is where FanDuel excels. It stands out from the crowd with its NBA product that includes special markets, features and promotions.

🔯 FanDuel appeals to new customers with a compelling sign-up bonus. The offers continue for existing customers with regular odds and profit boosts, as well bonus bets that are readily available for wagering on the NBA, NFL, and more.

𝔍 FanDuel has outstanding live betting markets that provide the same range of wagers that would be available pre-game. Of course, the bookie offers same-game parlays for a variety of sports, allowing users to build wagers from one game.

ౠ Perhaps the element that gives it a slight edge over DraftKings is its livestreaming product, which gives users the opportunity to watch NHL games along with other sports such as European soccer. FanDuel has embraced the community feel of wagering and even has its own channel to offer betting tips.

🌃 FanDuel just has the edge over DraftKings for its overall betting experience online, although there isn't a huge difference between the two at the top of the industry.

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM Sportsbook𒀰 offers Maryland users an impressive product to use without the fine touches provided by its rivals. It has a brilliant reputation in the United States due its roots in Las Vegas and the BetMGM Grand Hotel, boasting one of the best gambling venues in Sin City. Its sportsbook does not disappoint, with a wide array of sports and betting markets.

꧑ BetMGM has the scope to match FanDuel and DraftKings, covering all of the leading sports to the fine details, as you would expect. There are ample betting markets for wagers on the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB.

🦂 It also covers soccer, golf and tennis to a high standard, ensuring that bettors are not disappointed. Moreover, you can also expect markets for cricket, badminton and table tennis; but unlike FanDuel and DraftKings, you won't be able to find betting for esports.

🌌 BetMGM strives to offer the same value as you’ll find on DraftKings and FanDuel across all betting markets. Whether you’re betting on the moneyline, props, spreads or totals, you know you’re getting bang for your buck.

BetMGM provides good promotions that are visible straight away on its front page, starting with its welcome offer of a $1,000 sign-up bonus🍰. You’ll also find frequent odds boosts as a regular customer, along with other promotions that can be geared around in-state teams such as the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Wizards.

🐲 This bookie’s standout feature is its livestreaming service that allows users to watch NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB games. Few sportsbooks can match the quality of this product, making BetMGM the place to be if you can’t watch the game in front of the television.

⛄ While you won't find the same look and feel as you would on FanDuel and DraftKings (which does let the product down slightly), BetMGM is an excellent operator to choose for betting in Maryland if you’re only focused on betting.

Best Sports Betting Apps in Maryland

Maryland Sports Betting Promotions

🌳 The best sportsbooks in Maryland provide excellent promotions for new customers to secure when joining online. Here are the best currently available in the Free State.

Popular Types of Bets

💎 There are a litany of bets available on the top sportsbooks in Maryland, with the chance to wager on thousands of markets on almost every sport you can think of. Let's take a look at the most popular bets available online.

Local Team Sports Where To Bet On

🔴 Maryland is home to a number of professional sports teams and two notable college sides. The Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Commanders are the most recognizable teams due to their exploits in the NFL.

🦩 The Ravens are two-time Super Bowl winners, most recently in the 2012 season, while the Commanders have won the crown three times, the last of which came in 1991. The Baltimore Orioles represent the Free State in the MLB, while the Washington Wizards still represent the region in the NBA — although the franchise is classified as being in the District of Columbia.

𓄧 The University of Maryland and Georgetown University compete in the NCAA in a variety of sports, including football and basketball.

Famous Sports Events in Maryland 2024

Maryland Sports Betting Timeline

In Which States Is Betting On Sports Legal?

🌼 After the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 was repealed by the Supreme Court, the decision to legalize sports betting was placed into the hands of state lawmakers. As of May 2023, over 30 states have agreed to legalize gambling on sports, but each state has their own regulations.

🧸 Here is a list of the states that have legalized the activity and to what degree.

🧔 It is crucial to understand the laws and regulations of each state to ensure that you can place your bets legally. The top sportsbooks all have GPS technology built into their apps, so you won't be able to place bets in a state that does not permit mobile wagering, even if you’re a resident of a state that has legalized sports betting.

ThePuntersPage Final Say

ඣ Maryland sports betting has been thriving since online wagering was legalized in November 2022. The leading sportsbooks now have a presence in the region, and residents of the Free State can enjoy a diverse range of betting markets as well as great value on their odds.

ꦕ After posting record figures in March 2023, the handle in Maryland will only increase as further sportsbooks open in the Free State over the course of the year.

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