Maryland online betting sites are like to start accepting sports bets from the Fall of 2022. But retail sportsbooks have taken bets already in the state. The first sports wager was placed on December 9, 2021.
Progress towards Maryland sports betting has been slow and labored. Voters approved legal sports betting in November 2020 and the rollout has been slow in the Free State. However, state bettors and legislators can see and end in sight as online and mobile sportsbooks could launch in late 2022.
Although legalized retail and online sports betting is gaining momentum, this isn’t the case for casino Maryland online betting sites. Unfortunately, players who favor casino games will have to wait for these in the future.
On this page, we provide an overview of the current situation regarding Maryland’s online betting sites.
Is Maryland sports betting available?
Maryland sports betting has been live since December 9, 2021, when BetMGM Sportsbook at MGM National Harbor started taking wagers. Live! Casino and Hotel and Horseshoe Casino were quick to follow the next day with two further venues taking sports bets later in December.
Currently, these venues can only offer in-person, retail sports bets to customers. However, the uptake in sports betting activity among Maryland bettors has been positive. In January, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency announced that customers placed over $16 million on sports wagers in December 2021.
Getting to this point took some time and there was overwhelming support for legalized sports gambling in Maryland. In November 2020, the HB 940 Bill passed by a huge majority of 122 in favor to 16 against. The support for sports betting in the Free State is unsurprising as the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles have huge fanbases in the state.
What Maryland online betting sites will launch in 2022?
Sports betting on Maryland online betting sites are also on the horizon. As part of the HB 940 bill, online sportsbooks and apps can launch in the state.
But these sportsbooks may not go live until late 2022 at the earliest. The 2023 Super Bowl is seen as one of the latest dates for launch. The delay is due to further studies and research looking into how the market will progress in the future.
Despite the slow developments of online sports betting in Maryland, bettors already have some idea which companies will be launching their platforms in the state. In total, the state can allow up to 60 online sportsbooks to go live.
Among the potential providers is Barstool Sportsbook. Penn National owns Barstool Sportsbook and the company launched a Maryland casino in 2020. As a result, Barstool will have a direct link with a casino provider when it comes to establishing an online bookmaker.
In addition, the two big online sportsbooks, DraftKings and FanDuel, backed voter passage financially leading up to the 2020 sports gambling bill. Committing to the legalization process like this would suggest that the two companies are eager to bring their services to Maryland.
Maryland horse betting and racetracks
Maryland has a long, rich history with horse racing and it was first legalized in 1870. Today, one leg of the Triple Crown, the top prize in the industry, is held in Maryland. The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the three-race event, and many times sets up the drama of a potential Triple Crown winner.
Such an iconic race naturally leads to increased betting before and during this event. As a result, it is one of the most bet on sporting events in Maryland.
In general, pari-mutuel betting is very popular among Maryland bettors and people can wager on horses all year round. Races take place at several tracks in the state. Each of these facilities also shows races from other tracks around the US. and Canada via simulcast. Players can bet on these races at the facility, or at any of the handful of off-track betting locations in the state.
Following the legalization of sports betting in 2021, some horse racetracks now provide wagers on various other sports and events.
What online horse betting is available in Maryland?
Under the recent legislation, bettors can wager on pari-mutuel horse racing online. Due to the developments, players can wager on horse racing from desktop and mobile devices.
However, companies like Twinspires and DRF Bets have provided pari-mutuel bets to Maryland bettors for some time. These websites are legal, as long as betting on horse racing is allowed in the state. Also, these platforms are horse race specialists, providing in-depth odds, news, and tips for races in the US and worldwide.
With online sports betting set to launch later in 2022, or possibly 2023, more horse race betting options could become available on Maryland online betting sites. Although, not every bookmaker will offer odds for horse racing events.
Does Maryland have land-based casinos?
Since 2008, land-based casinos have been legal in Maryland and there are now six venues in the state. The first casino in the Free State, the Hollywood Casino, opened in 2010.
Over time, more casinos have opened their doors to Maryland bettors. State residents now have a variety of choices about where to play poker, slots, and other table games. All of the casinos have class A licenses, which allows them to offer most forms of bets.
Will Maryland online betting sites offer casino games?
When Maryland online betting sites launch later this year, they will be limited to sports wagers. As sports betting grows in the state, it is unlikely that online casino games will enter the discussion among state lawmakers. Sports betting will continue to get the most attention in the gambling arena for the next few years.
However, nearby states, including New Jersey and Delaware, have passed online casino legislation in recent years. This could pave the way for further considerations of online casino games. For now, though, bettors can stick with land-based casinos or social casinos online.
The Maryland Lottery
The Maryland Lottery first launched in 1972 and it has proven to be popular. Since starting 50 years ago, the lottery has raised money for great social causes in the state, like education and local government.
The lottery also offers a lot for players. Retailers are located all over the state, and residents can purchase tickets to several daily draw games. In addition, bettors can access the US-wide jackpots via the pooled tickets of Mega Millions and Powerball.
Maryland is one of the only US states with a lottery to also have a dedicated app. The Maryland Lottery app is available to download and players can purchase a range of tickets via this platform.