Maryland online sports betting will definitely be given serious attention in 2020. Senator Chris West pre-filed the SB 58 sports betting bill. Up until 2020, Maryland sports betting was banned - both online and offline. Recently, however, a new bill entered the works, and the state will soon allow residents to participate in Maryland sports betting at licensed facilities.

Maryland has a somewhat strange history of gambling, with lawmakers introducing restrictions and subsequent repeals throughout its existence. In the Old Line State, the first form of legalized betting was horse racing, followed by the lottery, bingo, and finally, land-based casinos. Then, it became the first state to legalize daily fantasy sports in 2012.

Keep reading our article and discover more about the current status of Maryland betting laws. Why is this state under pressure to pass the legislation? Also, see what to expect in the near future and which sports betting websites could soon become available for MD bettors.

Governor Martin O'Malley promised to look to expand Maryland's array of gambling in the 2012 legislative session. On February 7, 2012, Senator Douglas JJ Peters introduced legislation in the Maryland State Senate that would legalize an additional casino in Prince George's County. GAMBLING LAWS IN MARYLAND Maryland has the following domestic gambling options legally licensed and regulated by the state: sports betting lounges (launch TBA), casinos, racinos, horse racing betting, lotteries, and charitable gambling.

Maryland Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

Although many states have a gray area for daily fantasy sports, Maryland is one of the few that doesn’t. In fact, it was the first state to pass a law that explicitly legalized paid-entry DFS in 2012. Additionally, it implemented further regulations in 2017, ensuring a more customer-centric approach.

If you want to play daily fantasy sports, you can download an app from several reputable operators. Alternatively, you can visit its website through your desktop or mobile browser. A fully-optimized application is one of the perks of using a high-quality operator. When the state legalizes online wagering, you’ll be able to download a variety of Maryland sports betting apps.

Maryland Betting Laws

On the 3rd of November 2020, almost two million voters approved the Maryland Sports Betting Expansion Measure. This referendum will allow residents to bet on sports and other competitive events at licensed establishments.

However, before you can participate in MD sports betting, you’ll have to wait for lawmakers to draw up effective regulations to govern the bill. This process includes implementing taxes, determining how Maryland sportsbooks will operate, and a solution to Maryland online sports betting.

As we mentioned, the Senate also included Maryland online sports betting in the legislation. It seems likely that lawmakers will introduce mobile gambling, particularly since it’s become very popular in nearby states like New Jersey and Philadelphia.

Apart from the exciting introduction of Maryland sports betting, residents of the Free State also have access to other forms of legalized gambling. For starters, you can bet on pari-mutuel horse racing, which Maryland has allowed since the 1870’s. However, keep in mind that greyhound racing isn’t permitted.

In 1972, a constitutional referendum approved the state lottery, and it’s been in operation ever since. Although you can’t purchase tickets online, you can buy scratch-offs. Furthermore, you can also play bingo.

In addition, there are six land-based casinos you can visit in Maryland. Hollywood Casino Perryville was the first establishment to open in 2010. Now, it boasts more than 2,000 slots and 150 table games, along with an exclusive World Series of Poker room. Here’s a full list of the casinos that allow betting in Maryland:

• Hollywood Casino Perryville
• Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
• Live! Casino & Hotel
• MGM National Harbor
• Ocean Downs
• Rocky Gap Casino Resort

Similar to Maryland online sports betting, playing at online casinos isn’t legal yet. However, you can visit sweepstakes sites that offer all the perks of a normal casino operator - without the addition of real money. Instead, you can win coins and exchange them for gift cards or cash prizes.

Future of Maryland Online Sports Betting

So, what does the future hold for MD sports betting? Right now, things are looking good. As we mentioned earlier, the Senate approved the Maryland Sports Betting Expansion Measure in November 2020. This bill authorizes the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue licenses to establishments that want to offer sports betting in Maryland.

Lawmakers still have to decide on the bill’s intricacies, which means that MD sports betting will probably only come into effect on the 1st of July, 2021. If you’re a fan of the NFL, it’ll be the perfect time to test out Maryland sports betting facilities when the season starts.

Here are some of the regulations the MD sports betting law needs to specify:

• The eligibility requirements to apply for a license to offer event and sports betting
• The allowed forms of betting
• How the state will conduct betting
• Where individuals can place bets

According to the Maryland sports betting legislation, the state intends to funnel most of its gambling revenue towards public education.

When Maryland sports betting officially launches, it’ll help the state shut down illegal Maryland betting sites. These operators are notoriously known for stealing customers’ funds and not offering consumer protection. Instead of worrying about this, you can enjoy peace of mind at licensed and regulated Maryland sportsbooks. On top of this, if Maryland online sports betting is also legalized, you’ll have access to Maryland sports betting apps and Maryland betting sites.

As we mentioned, Maryland online sports betting also made an appearance in the legislation. The bill proposed the creation of nine licenses for the state’s six casinos, three racetracks, and the FedExField stadium. The MD sports betting legislation would also allow each franchise to partner with a single online sports betting operator.

For now, eager gambling fans will have to wait until mid-2021 to see whether the Senate permits Maryland online sports betting. When this happens, you can safely download Maryland sports betting apps and participate in online betting in Maryland.

Most Likely Maryland Online Sports Betting Sites

The two-paged bill doesn’t contain much information about Maryland online sports betting. Right now, it’s only known for sure that if sportsbooks become regulated, the existing state’s casinos and horse racetracks will be allowed to operate sports betting. All the revenue from taxes proceeding from betting activities will be allocated for public education.

However, the majority of voters should adopt the referendum authorizing sports betting in the state. Thirty days after adoption sports betting would become legal. Then, sports betting operators will have the opportunity to team up with one of the existing gambling brands and start offering their services.

Hopefully, once the regulation and legalization are over, some of the most famous operators, which are already accessible across US countries where sports betting is legal, will become available for MD bettors too.

Here’s a list of some of the most popular online sports betting operators that might get the chance to start a betting adventure in Maryland.

BetMGM

The well-known brand in the online world of gambling is available for both online and mobile users. The trusted brand name is not the only thing that makes BetMGM attractive to thousands of users. Some other things do too.

For instance, the brand offers a generous welcome offer and several ongoing promotions all of the time. Betting options are another good point of the operator. In-play betting, props, futures--all of the bet types you can think are included on the official website. What’s more, BetMGM also covers all the major sports, leagues and events. Whatever they are looking for, their users won’t have any trouble at all finding it.

Besides great welcome offers and different promotions for both new and existing users, the brand also pays attention to its regular and loyal customers. Wide range of available payment options and adequate customer support are also some of the reasons why we’d be delighted to see BetMGM on Maryland online sports betting soil one day.

DraftKings

DraftKings is one of the most famous daily fantasy sports betting platforms. It’s a true King compared to its competitors! With this brand, users can participate in daily, weekly and season-long fantasy sports contests. There are dozens of different sports that you could choose to enter contests with. Every one of these sports has many different options too.

However, some of the states don’t allow daily fantasy sports. Hopefully, this won’t be the case with Maryland. According to some other state’s betting laws where even sports betting is forbidden, daily fantasy is allowed. Namely, it’s considered that daily fantasy sports are a form of entertainment and not gambling. These games are based on skills and not on pure luck. Therefore, if Maryland is ready to legalize online sports betting, we don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t allow fantasy sports.

Just like BetMGM and the rest of the operators, we are mentioning here; DraftKings is one of the companies pursuing new markets as they become available. So, there’s no doubt that if Maryland online sports betting becomes legal (and fantasy sports, too), DraftKings will try to enter the market.

FanDuel

FanDuel is one of the most successful daily fantasy and sportsbook websites in the USA. Daily fantasy games are available for a bunch of sports, including football, NFL, MLB, NBA and NCAA basketball. The contests include tournaments, leagues, head-to-head challenges and 50/50s.

The operator also provides a great selection of promotions for new users to attract them, as well as for its existing users to keep them. Rewards Center is also one of the brand’s good points. Users earn FanDuel points for each contest that can give them some special rewards and help them move forward on their journey.

At the same time, thanks to the partnership with the Meadowlands Racetrack in NJ, FanDuel Sportsbook saw the light of the day too. Now, it’s one of the leading top online betting sites in the Garden State.

BetAmerica

BetAmerica is one of fully regulated online sports betting websites dedicated to horse and greyhound racing. In New Jersey, the brand also offers an online casino and regular sports betting activities. Therefore if Maryland online sports betting becomes legal, it’s a reasonable assumption that you’ll be able to bet on a lot more than just greyhounds or horses.

As a racebook, BetAmerica offers a lot of betting lines and it features all the essential US races, along with those from all around the world. More than 300 races are available, including those from the USA, Australia, Canada, Ireland and the UK. Besides that, the operator also provides different statistics and informational content for the races.

When it comes to greyhound races, there are more than 1000 of them every week, and when it comes to the sportsbook, some of the most popular sports are covered. However, the best part is the quality of selection and highly competitive odds.

We really hope that soon you’ll also be able to register at this online sports betting platform in Maryland and see what we are talking about.

William Hill

William Hill is one of the most well-known online bookmakers in the whole world. So, describing it as one of the top sports betting sites won’t come as a shock to anyone. Good range of markets, impeccable live streaming service and in-play markets, combined with quite attractive promotions, safe and secure payment options, as well as fast and effective customer support; these are the reasons for which a great number of users joins the William Hill betting community on a daily basis.

William Hill also features an online casino, but it remains to be seen if it’ll become available in MD since now we are all focused on the Maryland online sports betting scene.

Maryland Online Sports Betting: Events and Betting Markets

From national sports events to hometown team games, Maryland is bursting with spectator and gambling opportunities. You can enjoy professional and college-level sports like football, baseball, horse racing, basketball, lacrosse, and motocross, to name a few.

If you want to participate in MD sports betting, keep an eye out for the most popular events. Apart from giving you more opportunities to bet on different markets, these sports allow you to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere.

States where you can already place an online sports bet today :

Updated on :

Colorado Illinois Indiana Iowa Michigan Nevada New Jersey Pennsylvania Tennessee Virginia West Virginia

Maryland Online Sports Betting: Popular Maryland Events

Here’s a brief overview of the top Maryland sports betting events:

• Watch the Baltimore Orioles at one of the best ballparks, Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
• Cheer on the Baltimore Ravens at the M&T Bank Stadium.
• Check out the Washington Redskins at the FedEx Field in Landover.
• Show some love to the ladies at Baltimore Burn when they play at Patterson Park in Baltimore.
• Bet on horse racing at the Pimlico Race Course with the Preakness Stakes.
• Visit Laurel Park for the annual Jim McKay Maryland Million Day.
• Enjoy the high-octane basketball action of the Maryland Terrapins or the Lady Terps.
• Watch major league lacrosse with the Chesapeake Bayhawks at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

When the state legalizes Maryland sports betting, you’ll be able to visit a range of licensed Maryland betting sites offering all these sports markets, and then some. On top of this, it’s also likely that you’ll have access to Maryland sports betting apps, allowing you to gamble on the go.

Common Types of Bets

One of the most common types of bet are Moneyline bets. With this type of bet, you simply pick who you believe will win. That’s really pretty straightforward and there’s not much to say about this type of bet. Just take a look at odds, enter your stake and the bet is placed.

Totals are some similar type, too. Also known as Over/Under bets, these are pretty simple wagers. Usually, totals are related to the number of goals, points scored during a particular event, or they take into account some other statistical number of the game, no matter the final outcome. When placing a total bet, you need to predict if the total will be under or over the number given by the operator. Together with Moneyline bets, they are a great choice for beginners or those who prefer to keep it simple.

On the other hand, if you’d like to try some of more complex and exciting betting options, here are some of the suggestions:

Point Spread Bets

We’ll try to explain this type of bet with an example. If you ever played basketball as a kid against someone who’s way older than you, they would give you some additional points at the beginning of the game, to give you the equal chance of winning.

Point Spread works pretty much the same way. A bookmaker adds some points to the underdog team to make it fair play. Of course, these points don’t have an impact on the actual score, but they are used to decide who gets to win the game from the bookmaker’s point of view.

Parlays and Accumulators

These types of bets are pretty complicated and definitely not recommended for novices. With parleys and accumulators you actually place a few bets as a part of one single wager. In case, one of the picks proves wrong, you’ll lose your bet.

For example, by placing an accumulator, you can bet on 5 different horse races within one single wager. However, to win it, all the selections have to be accurate. Of course, this type of bet implies higher risk, as well as higher potential payouts.

Most Popular Sports to Bet On

Of course, the NFL is one of the most popular sports in the United States and the same goes for betting. Some of the other common choices include the following sports:

• Soccer
• Basketball
• MMA
• Golf
• Hockey

Of course, everything depends on the bettors’ taste. Somewhere some sports are more popular than others and vice versa. We have also noticed that fantasy sports betting is quite a thing nowadays. This type of entertainment has really turned into a worldwide phenomenon.

Betting on Pro Sports Teams in Maryland

There are many professional teams with roots anchored in Maryland. Let’s look at some of the top names and examine the various Maryland sports betting opportunities.

NFL Betting in Maryland

In the Old Line State, football is king. Two National Football League teams hail from Maryland, along with multiple college-level teams. As a result, you can look forward to various betting markets at Maryland sportsbooks when MD sports betting is legalized, including point spreads, moneylines, parlays, teasers, props, and futures.

Washington Football Team and Baltimore Ravens

Casinos In Maryland Slots

The Washington Football Team plays at the FedExField Stadium, while the Baltimore Ravens call M&T Bank Stadium home. Up until 1983, the Baltimore Colts also played in Maryland before relocating to Indianapolis.

NBA Betting in Maryland

The National Basketball Association is one of the most-watched leagues in the US. Thus, it’s no surprise that it’s also a top choice to wager on. When Maryland sports betting launches, you can expect a flurry of activity in this market.

Here’s a glimpse at some of the basketball betting opportunities that Maryland sports betting apps and Maryland sportsbooks will likely allow: moneylines, point spreads, over/under, props, futures, and much more.

Washington Wizards

Since there are no professional basketball teams in Maryland, many people often look to the neighboring states’ sports scene for inspiration. So, if you want to participate in NBA betting in Maryland, your best bet is to go with the Washington Wizards.

Here’s a fun fact: the Wizards initially began playing in Maryland, where they gained the name Baltimore Bullets.

NHL Betting in Maryland

The National Hockey League is another prime example of a popular sporting event. When the state officially launches sports wagering, you can expect a plethora of betting opportunities for this market at Maryland betting sites. Here, some of the most common markets include moneylines, point spreads, over/under, futures, props, and more.

Washington Capitals

Similar to the story of the NBA, Maryland doesn’t boast any NHL teams. If you want to bet on a top-rated side, we suggest checking out the Washington Capitals. If you want to dip your toe in collegiate teams, the heavyweight names include Towson University and Stevenson University.

MLB Betting in Maryland

Maryland boasts one MLB team and several college teams. If you want to bet on baseball, you can expect the following markets to be available at Maryland sportsbooks when MB sports betting launches: moneylines, handicaps, total runs, props, futures, and much more.

Baltimore Orioles

Established in 1901, the Orioles have been based in Baltimore since 1954. The franchise is part of the Eastern Division in the American League. If you want to bet on the MLB, this will be a team to look out for on Maryland betting sites.

Maryland Online Sports Betting FAQ

Finally, here are some of the frequently asked questions regarding the status of Maryland online sports betting activities.

Is sports betting legal in Maryland?

The Senate approved Maryland sports betting in November 2020, but lawmakers still need to figure out the rules and regulations. As a result, sports betting in Maryland will likely only be fully legalized towards the end of 2021.

Is it legal to play at online casinos in Maryland?

Casino Gambling In Maryland

No, the state doesn’t allow betting at online casinos, but the introduction of Maryland sports betting could change this, so all hope isn’t lost yet. Furthermore, you should avoid offshore Maryland betting sites, as these are illegal and often unreliable.

What kind of gambling does Maryland allow?

Currently, you can bet on horse racing, play at one of six land-based casinos, and participate in daily fantasy sports. Additionally, you can enter the state lottery or visit sweepstakes sites, an alternative to real money Maryland betting sites. In 2021, sports betting will join the list of legal gambling activities.

Can you gamble online in Maryland?

No. Maryland doesn’t permit certain online gambling activities, which means you can’t visit online casinos or Maryland sportsbooks. On top of this, you also can’t download Maryland sports betting apps, although this will probably change in 2021 if the accompanying MD sports betting legislation passes.

If you want to gamble online, you can visit Maryland betting sites that operate without real money, known as sweepstakes. Alternatively, you can play daily fantasy sports or bet on horse racing.

How old must you be to gamble in Maryland?

You need to be a minimum of 21-years-old to participate in any betting in Maryland. The exception is pari-mutuel horse racing, which states that you must be at least 18-years-old.

Maryland Online Sports Betting: Common Payment Options

Different operators provide different payment options. The most important thing is to find an operator providing safe and secure money transactions and all top sports betting sites we have mentioned here do.

Credit and debit cards are among the most popular payment methods at online sports betting sites. Electronic wallets are also some of the popular options, especially recently. Among some other methods, we can enumerate PayPal, Direct Bank Transfers, Prepaid cards and cryptocurrencies.

Every bookmaker decides what type of payment methods will be offered, so the best thing is to wait and see what Maryland sportsbooks will offer in the terms of banking options.

Maryland Casinos

Like we have already mentioned, the Maryland online sports betting operators can be granted access to the MD online betting scene via a partnership with the existing brick and mortar casinos or horse racetracks.

Live! Casino & Hotel

Live! Casino is the largest casino in the state. It offers a great number of games one can play. There are hundreds of slots and various table games. It’ll be great to see the online casino of Maryland Live! However, let’s get back to Maryland online sportsbooks.

This casino has already agreed with a sports betting operator. The Maryland Live! has teamed up with FanDuel and these two companies made an agreement. Assuming Maryland online sports betting becomes legal, FanDuel will start providing the casino with sports betting service. We keep our fingers crossed!

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore

Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore is a home for more than 2000 of the most innovative and hottest slots. This casino also has a great selection of poker machines. Over 150 of them are available.

This casino also offers a great deal to all high rollers and various types of promotions, especially for their exclusive members. The table games selection is quite impressive too. There are more than 150 different table games, including different variants of poker, blackjack, craps, baccarat and roulette.

Rocky Gap Casino Resort

Rocky Gap Casino is also one of MD casinos offering great entertainment. The casino offers more than 600 slot machines. When it comes to table games, you can try out your luck on roulette, blackjack, poker or Mississippi Stud.

Rocky Gap Casino is definitely a place to satisfy your taste for excitement. Take a stroll through the casino and find your favourite games.

Hollywood Casino Perryville

Hollywood Casino Perryville is operated by Gaming and Leisure Properties. With over 1500 different slots machines and dozens of table games such as craps, blackjack and roulette, it’s a great source of fun.

At the same time, Hollywood Casino occupies an important place in Maryland's gambling history since this is the first casino to open in the state. Will it manage to open the first Maryland online sportsbook too?

Final Thoughts on Betting in Maryland

After years of waiting, Maryland sports betting is finally becoming a reality. As soon as legislators pass the necessary regulation laws, eager bettors in the Free State will be able to wager on sports and other competitive events as soon as mid-2021.

On top of this, there may be hope for Maryland online sports betting to be legalized as well. If it all goes to plan, you could be able to download Maryland sports betting apps and visit online Maryland sportsbooks in 2021.

However, for now, you can enjoy other gambling activities in Maryland, like pari-mutuel horse racing, the lottery, bingo, and land-based casinos.

This is a list of casinos in Maryland.

Legalized Gambling In Maryland

List of casinos[edit]

Expansion of table games[edit]

Governor Martin O'Malley promised to look to expand Maryland's array of gambling in the 2012 legislative session. On February 7, 2012, Senator Douglas JJ Peters introduced legislation in the Maryland State Senate that would legalize an additional casino in Prince George's County. His legislation would legalize a certain number of slot machines and table games in Prince George's as well as table games for the other two open and three yet-to-open casinos in Maryland. The legislation would set aside 2.5% of the Prince George's County casino revenue for an economic development fund and an additional 2.5% of revenue to fund the construction of a new hospital in the County.^[8] Such legislation must be approved by the House of Delegates, Senate, Governor, statewide voter referendum, and county-wide voter referendum. At the time, there was speculation that a casino license in Prince George's County would be awarded to a company that plans to build it at either National Harbor or Rosecroft Raceway. While this proposal failed during the regular 2012 legislative session, Governor O'Malley championed a special session in July of that year to address the issue of gambling expansion, which passed in the Maryland legislature. The casino legislation required it to pass a Maryland referendum in November. On November 6, 2012, the casino referendum passed, allowing table games at the existing authorized casinos and allowing a sixth casino to be built in Prince George's County.^[9] On December 20, 2013, the Prince George's County casino license was awarded to MGM Resorts International for a casino resort, which opened on December 8, 2016, at National Harbor.

See also[edit]

Report Illegal Gambling In Maryland

References[edit]

1. ^http://gaming.mdlottery.com/maryland-casinos-generate-95-17-million-in-revenue-during-december/
2. ^'Strike one: Rocky Gap slots proposal rejected'. Cumberland Times-News. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
3. ^Haber, Gary (13 January 2012). 'Md. slots commission rejects Landow's Rocky Gap bid'. Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
4. ^Dresser, Michael; Cho, Hanah (26 April 2012). 'Rocky Gap casino license awarded'. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
5. ^Kilar, Steve (3 June 2012). 'With new casino opening, a look back at Cordish's gambling record'. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
6. ^https://smnewsnet.com/archives/418572/maryland-casinos-generate-135-7-million-revenue-april/
7. ^Rector, Kevin. 'MGM chosen for Prince George's casino license'. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
8. ^Associated Press (6 February 2012). 'Bill would OK table games and casino site in P.G. Co'. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
9. ^Wagner, John (21 May 2012). '2nd Md. special session could be week of July 9'. The Washington Post. Retrieved 8 June 2012. On November 6, 2012, Question 7 has voted legalizing table games

External links[edit]

• Media related to Casinos in Maryland at Wikimedia Commons

Casino Gambling In Maryland