Maryland has recently become a gaming-friend state. Old Line State legalized table games in 2012 and DFS (daily fantasy sports) in 2017. Apart from greyhound racing, many other forms of betting are currently legal in the state. But how does the Old Line State feel about sports betting? You will find out on this page. We have thoroughly explored Maryland sports betting in detail.

Best sports betting site that may come to MD

Currently, Maryland is in the process of rolling out legal sports gaming. At the time of writing this article, only retail sports wagering is legal in the state. But the hope is that internet sports betting will also become legal soon.

Retail sports gaming became legal in the Old Line State in December 2021, with the first retail sportsbook debuting the same month. The launch started with BetMGM Sportsbook at the MGM National Harbor. Immediately after BetMGM’s debut, Caesars Sportsbook at the Horseshoe Casino followed suit. Then FanDuel Sportsbook and TwinSpires Sportsbook also debuted.

However, once the process of overseeing the launch of the retail sportsbooks is over, the Old Line State will certainly turn to the legalization of internet sports gaming. Maryland residents are optimistic that the process will finish by 2022. Below is the list of the five best sports betting sites that may likely come to the Old Line State.

DraftKings Maryland

This betting operator is likely to be among the first legal online betting sites to launch in Maryland when internet sports gaming arrives in the Old Line State by the end of 2022. Presently, Maryland residents are able to bet real cash on DFS (daily fantasy sports) using DraftKings. That’s an indication that the operator will also gain approval to offer sports betting services to the Old Line State bettors when online sports betting finally becomes legal.

Maryland’s residents will find the DraftKings betting site appealing when the operator finally enters the market. When it comes to online sports betting, DraftKings is one of the leading brands in the regulated United States market.

DraftKings betting site is known for its attractive bonuses, wide sports, responsive customer support, and market coverage. Also, bettors who love taking stat will love what is available on DraftKings. Each sporting event comes with a dedicated stat sheet that helps bettors to find their own edge. On top of that, the operator runs daily analysis pieces compelling where they think winners will emerge.

PointsBet Maryland

When it comes to online sports betting in the regulated US states, PointBet is a fantastic internet sportsbook. And we consider it to be one of the best options for Maryland sports punters. PointBet offers one of the largest sports and market selections.

Bettors can wager on sports like basketball, tennis, football, boxing, and of course, international competitions like European football (soccer). On top of that, the operator also offers competitive odds, ones that are comparable with what players will find on DraftKings and BetMGM.

Besides competitive odds and wide coverage of sports, PointBet has a unique feature called Points Betting. This particular feature is what sets PointBet apart from other operators. PointBet designed the point betting feature to help players win more cash depending on how fast their wagers win.

Overall, the PointBet sports betting site is among the top options for Maryland bettors to pick from when internet betting finally goes live in the Old Line State.

Caesars Maryland

This operator is among the most popular and well-respected brands in the whole gambling industry. Owing to Caesars’ relationship with Baltimore’s famed Horseshoe Casino, the operator should be among one of the first online sports betting sites to debut in the Old Line State.

Having a top brand like Caesars in Maryland’s iGaming market is something many bettors look forward to. In the eleven US states where Caesars online sportsbook is currently operating legally, it is best recognized for its attractive sign up bonuses and promotions.

As should be expected from a brand whose foundation is deeply rooted in hospitality, the operator is constantly handing out bonuses and promotions to its customers. Besides attractive bonuses and promotions, Caesars sportsbook offers a wide range of sports and markets. This means that there is something for everyone irrespective of the sports or market that appeals to them.

BetRivers Maryland

Currently, BetRivers sportsbook is among the leading online sportsbooks in the United States, and it’s among the betting brands that is qualified for an online gambling license in the Old Line State.

If approved, the RSI (Rush Street Interactive) would be the official sports wagering brand at Bingo World in Baltimore. Bingo World is among the 17 gambling houses designated for licensure under Maryland’s 2021 sports gaming law.

BetRivers sportsbook has a lot to offer sports punters of all experiences. On the betting platform, bettors will find plenty of sports and markets to wager on. On top of that, there are also different bonuses and promotions for bettors to grab.

Also, making deposits and withdrawals on the betting site is pretty simple, and there are several options for players to pick from. One of the amazing things is that players don’t have to worry about security since the platform runs on the latest SSL encryption technology.

BetMGM Maryland

In recent times, BetMGM has established itself as the gold standard for online betting sites in the United States. With BetMGM’s relationship with the National Harbor casino, the operator is likely to be among the first sports betting brands to debut in Maryland.

One of the things that made BetMGM unique is the operator’s massive catalog of international and domestic sports to wager on. In addition, BetMGM’s easy-to-use sports betting app and website make it easy for players to quickly find the exact sports and bets to wager on.

BetMGM also offers attractive bonuses and promotions, alongside an amazing One Game Parlay builder and everyday Lion’s Boost enhanced odds on select lines. When wagering on sports online using BetMGM, bettors will enjoy the safety and security that comes with playing with a sports betting site that is already trusted in over 18 states in the US.

Latest online sports betting news in MD

With the rollout of land-based sports gaming in progress and the first sportsbook launched in December 2021, the Old Line State’s attention is now turning to introduce legal online sports betting. The good news is that online sports wagering has already been approved. The only step left is setting up the regulatory framework that will guide it.

The SWARC (Sports Wagering Application Review Commission) petitioned the key gaming industry stakeholders seeking their opinion on how they would want the market to progress. The consultation time ended in February 2022, and the commission is yet to announce the next step.

The rapid increase of legitimate sports wagering in the Old Line State will undoubtedly encourage sports gaming lawmakers to finalize their decisions before the end of 2022. Retail sportsbooks are already generating $32.5 million per month, and bring more than $4 million in taxable revenue. The induction of internet sports wagering would have the potential to largely increase that figure, thereby bringing benefits to the Old Line State residents.

Who regulates online sports betting in Maryland?

The Maryland Gaming Commission will be responsible for licensing and regulating all sports wagering activities within the borders of the Old Line State.

The Maryland sports betting bill is actually the latest in the US. It permits 60 virtual sportsbooks to be licensed and 30 retail licenses to be given out. These licenses include the six main commercial casinos, and sports teams, as well as secondary licenses for small businesses, including fairgrounds, restaurants, bars, and small sporting arenas.

The state’s sports betting tax rate will be at a solid 15 percent for main US online sportsbooks and vendors while the secondary retail licenses will receive 13 percent tax on the gross revenue. In accordance with the law, major retail operators will pay a $250,000 licensing fee while minor operators will pay $50,000. Also, the yearly charge for major sportsbooks will be $50,000. On the other hand, minor operators will pay $10,000. Meanwhile, online sports betting sites will pay a $500,000 licensing fee and a yearly charge of $100,000.

A timeline of online sports betting in MD

Online sports betting became legal in Maryland in May 2021, although it is yet to be launched. But before online sports betting was legalized it passed through a few processes. Below are the key events leading to the legalization of internet sports betting in Old Line State.

  • October 6, 2021 — The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission announced that MGM National Harbor and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Live! Casino and Hotel have met licensing requirements.
  • October 4, 2021 — Updated internet sports betting rules were made available to the state residents, with Maryland officials waiting to review the residents’ opinions, so they can finalize the regulations.
  • September 27, 2021 — following the end of residents’ opinion time, the state regulators provided an update on the licensing process. And the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) ran background checks on seventeen sportsbooks that were hoping to be the first operators in the state.
  • August 27, 2021 — the official 227-page on regulations of sports wagering got published in the Maryland Register. The release of this document marked the official start of the 30 days for residents’ comments.
  • July 15, 2021 — The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control unanimously signed the rules and regulations for legal sports betting.
  • May 18, 2021 — Governor Larry Hogan officially signed HB 940 into Maryland law.
  • April 12, 2021 — HB 940 is passed by the state senate and house to officially legalize sports wagering both online and in-person. The act makes provisions for up to 60 online and 40 retail licenses, making it the largest cap of any jurisdiction within the United States to date.

FAQ

Do I need to be 21 to bet on online sports in MD?

Currently, Maryland has a state-licensed sportsbook that is available to residents who are 21 or older. Once online sports betting launches in the state it is likely to be for bettors who are 21 years or older. But there are a couple of offshore betting sites that accept players who are 18. But playing with those sites is not advisable since most of them are not regulated by reputable bodies. So they can cheat players of their winnings.

Can I bet on any sport online in MD?

No, presently you cannot bet on any sports online. However, there are retail sportsbooks in the state where you can walk in and place bets on any sport of your choice. Also, sports betting is already legal in the state. What is just remaining is putting together the framework. We are optimistic that before the end of 2022 online sports betting will launch fully in the state. Just the same way Maine residents are hoping that online sports betting in Maine will fully take off soon.

Do I need to declare sports bet wins in Maryland?

Yes, just like betting on sports online in Maine, all forms of gambling winnings are taxable in Maryland. That applies to winnings from sports betting, lottery, casinos, and horse racing. Winnings above a certain amount will automatically send a notification to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and W-2G Form, which the player will receive from the betting operator come tax time. Most times, federal taxes are automatically withheld right from when players receive their sports betting winning payout. This usually happens if the bettor's winning exceeds a certain threshold. But if no tax was taken out, and you did not get a W-2G IRS Form, you still have to declare all your betting winnings on your state and federal income tax return.