Maryland Online Sports Betting: Best Sportsbook Apps
After years of waiting, Maryland online sports betting is officially live. While this is a new and exciting time for Maryland sports fans, there will be a myriad of information and sports betting offers thrown your way.
Before we dive any further, those looking to pounce on the most rewarding opportunities can snag bet bonuses from the sportsbook of your choice, and all you have to do is preregister below.
Here at Saturday Tradition, our goal is to simplify the information for you and help you find the best online sportsbooks that are launching in Maryland that are the best fit for you. We’ll also identify for you the best promotional offers and bonuses so that you can maximize the value received when you sign-up for one of the Maryland sports betting platforms.
Here are some of the basics to give you an overview of sports wagering that is now live in Maryland:
 |
🇺🇸 MARYLAND ONLINE SPORTS BETTING |
|---|---|
| 🗓 Maryland Online Sports Betting Launch Date | 👀 Nov. 23, 2022 |
| 🚨 Maryland Sports Betting Legalization Status | ✅ Retail: Yes ✅ Online: Yes (Soft Launch on Nov. 21, 2022, Full Launch on Nov. 23, 2022) |
| 🏈 Big Ten Football Teams in Maryland | 🏈 Maryland Terrapins |
| 🏈 NFL Teams in Maryland | 🏈 Baltimore Ravens |
| ➡️ Fact-Checked By | Robby Sabo |
| ❗️ Provided by | Saturday Tradition |
At this point, Maryland residents and those who happen to be located within Maryland state borders, have heard it all. The online sports betting pundits claiming Maryland could launch as early as Fall 2021 first hit newsfeeds. After consistent delays, we finally reached the end of the legal sports-betting rainbow.
Continue reading for more specifics on launch details, but the good news is that as many as 10 major sportsbook operators—including all of the big boys listed below—will be launching in the state of Maryland in either late November or early December. The better news is that many of the top online sports gambling apps have already launched.
It’s time to get excited, Maryland, which of course includes diehard Maryland Terrapins fans because sports betting is coming to the Old Line State.
Maryland Sports Betting Launch Updates
Maryland online sports betting officially goes live
On Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, Maryland online sports betting officially launched to the masses. No longer do Maryland residents have to travel to one of the select physical locations in order to legally bet sports online.
The Latest (Updated Nov. 14, 2022)
The launch might be moved up in time for a Thanksgiving launch. The SWARC meeting has moved up its approval meeting from November 21, 2022, to November 16, 2022. This bodes extremely well for getting the Maryland sportsbooks up and running in time for the big Thanksgiving week of football!
BREAKING: Maryland will award its online sports betting licenses several days earlier than planned.
The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission announced they will award up to potentially 10 online sports betting licenses this Wednesday, Nov. 16.
— RLinnehanXL (@RLinnehanXl) November 14, 2022
Maryland Online Sports Betting Launch Timeline
Nov 7, 2022 update:
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency met on Thursday, Oct. 27, holding hearings on an initial batch of sports betting operators (listed below). Ten operators were approved and will now be handed over to SWARC, and SWARC will hold a hearing on Nov. 21 to award licenses.
BREAKING: These 10 online sports betting operators have been found qualified to hold a Maryland online sports betting operator license. They will now move on to SWARC and potentially be awarded licenses on Nov. 21:
–@Betfred
–@BetMGM
–@betPARX
–@BSSportsbook(cont)
— RLinnehanXL (@RLinnehanXl) October 27, 2022
We project most or all of these licenses to be awarded. After this, the MLGCA will perform internal control and regulatory testing which will take a few days. As they pass testing, the operator will be permitted to launch. Licensing and approvals will be done on a rolling basis in Maryland. The first approvals and launches should happen in late November, or early December.
Here are the sportsbook operators included in the initial batch of operators.
- Betfair
- Barstool Sportsbook
- BetFred
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- Fanatics
- Parx Interactive
- Rush Street Interactive / BetRivers
- FanDuel
Online Sports Betting in Maryland
Maryland online sportsbooks allow remote registration which means that bettors do not have to sign up or verify a sportsbook account in person. Maryland sports bettors need to be at least 21 years of age to participate.
When will online sports betting be legal in Maryland?
While Maryland sports betting launched at retail locations back in December 2021, we have had repeated delays to the launch of online sports betting. Through the recent updates, we now know that we might finally see the online launch in late November of 2022. The next step is the approval meeting on Nov. 21, 2022, by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC).
Ten sportsbooks have received approval as of Oct. 27, 2022, to proceed to the SWARC meeting on November 21, 2022. We expect these sportsbooks to get approval and be live for users in late November, or early December at the latest. Because of the rolling approval process, more sportsbooks might enter the market in the weeks and months following the launch.
Could Maryland sports betting be live by Thanksgiving?
This question has now been answered: It’s a resounding, “Yes.”
Maryland online sports betting flipped the switch to the live status on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022.
Maryland Sports Betting History
- While retail sports betting has been live in Maryland since December 2021, online sports betting has not launched in Maryland. It’s been quite a slow rollout with the launch getting continually delayed.
- However, recent news has left indications that a possible late 2022 or early 2023 launch might be in the cards. That means that Maryland online sports betting might actually make its debut sometime during the current football season.
- Major sportsbook operators such as Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Barstool and BetMGM are likely to enter the market as well as smaller operators such as TwinSpires.
- MD sports bettors will be able to bet on all major sports such as NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. College sports such as college football and college basketball will be permitted as well.
Retail sports betting launched in Maryland in late 2021. A number of major sportsbook operators entered the market with retail locations. For example, BetMGM opened a sportsbook at the MGM National Harbor, and FanDuel launched a location at the Live! Casino Hotel & Maryland and Caesars launched a location at the Horseshoe Casino.
More locations are coming. Barstool Sportsbook has a license to open a location at the Hollywood Casino Perryville.
MD sports betting regulations created two license categories for the state. Class A licenses were given to casinos, professional sports teams and other retail locations. Class B licenses were given to additional retail locations such as gas stations and other facilities that have gaming kiosks.
Operators must attain both Class A and Class B licenses, and then they can pursue a license for online sports betting.
Maryland’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission has been set up to manage the licensing process for operators. There is an Oct. 21 deadline for sportsbooks to apply for online sports betting licenses in Maryland, and then the Commission has up to 45 days to review. This means we could see sportsbooks potentially live in Maryland in late November or early December.
Ranking the 6 Best Maryland Sportsbooks
With Maryland sports betting coming, let’s take a look at the top sportsbooks that will be available for bettors.
1. DraftKings Sportsbook
 |
DRAFTKINGS MARYLAND SPORTSBOOK |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Promo Code | Not Required |
| 💲 Minimum Deposit | $5 |
| ✅ Minimum Betting Age | 21 |
| 🎲 Betting Requirement | 25x |
| ➡️ App Platforms | iOS (Apple App Store), Android (Google Play), Web Browser |
| 📲 Listed As | DraftKings Sportsbook & Casino |
| ❗️ Seller | DraftKings |
| 🇺🇸 States Available | MI, IA, IL, IN, PA, NJ, NY, CT, AZ, CO, NH, TN, VA, WV, WY |
| 🎰 Maryland Retail Partner | TBA |
| ⏰ Projected Launch Date | Late 2022/Early 2023 |
| 💯 ST Maryland Sportsbook Ranking | TBD |
| ⭐️ ST Maryland Review Rating | TBD |
Saturday Tradition suggests DraftKings Maryland Sportsbook as the top operator today. New users can get started today with an excellent Bet $5, Get $200 bonus.
DraftKings Sportsbook’s app is also one of the best in the business. It’s easy to navigate and allows both novice and veteran sports wagerers an excellent experience that rarely (if ever) disappoints.
Until further notice, the DraftKings new user promo is among the best options for all online sports bettors.
2. Caesars Sportsbook
 |
🇺🇸 CAESARS MARYLAND SPORTSBOOK |
|---|---|
| ✍️ Maryland Sign-Up Offer | 💰 $1,000 First Bet on Caesars |
| 🚨 Promo Code | TBA |
| 💲 Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| ✅ Minimum Betting Age | 21 |
| 🎲 Betting Requirement | None |
| ➡️ App Platforms | iOS (Apple App Store), Android (Google Play), Web Browser |
| 📲 Listed As | Caesars Sportsbook |
| ❗️ Seller | Computerized Bookmaking Systems, Inc. |
| 🇺🇸 States Available | NY, NJ, CT, AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, NV, TN, VA, WV |
| 🎰 Retail Partner | TBD |
| ⏰ Launch Date | Nov. 23, 2022 |
Since gobbling up William Hill to fortify its online offering, Caesars Sportsbook has become a major player in the U.S. sportsbook market. This means that Caesars Maryland Sportsbook has become a reality in the state.
New users within the states where Caesars Maryland Sportsbook is already live and legal can get started today with a welcome offer of a $1,000 first bet on Caesars:
3. FanDuel Sportsbook
 |
FANDUEL MARYLAND SPORTSBOOK |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Promo Code | Not Required |
| 💲 Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| ✅ Minimum Betting Age | 21 |
| 🎲 Betting Requirement | None |
| ➡️ App Platforms | iOS (Apple App Store), Android (Google Play), Web Browser |
| 📲 Listed As | FanDuel Sportsbook & Casino |
| ❗️ Seller | FanDuel Inc. |
| 🇺🇸 States Available | MI, IA, IL, IN, PA, NJ, NY, CT, AZ, CO, TN, VA, WV |
| 🎰 Maryland Retail Partner | N/A |
| ⏰ Projected Launch Date | Late 2022/Early 2023 |
| 💯 ST Maryland Sportsbook Ranking | TBD |
| ⭐️ ST Maryland Review Rating | TBD |
While DraftKings gets Saturday Tradition’s nod as the top operator in the business, FanDuel Maryland Sportsbook deserves a tremendous amount of respect as well. The company that made itself famous via daily fantasy sports is now one of the leaders in the online sports betting game.
Of course, FanDuel Sportsbook is expected to enter the Maryland online sports gambling market. The first chance it has of doing so will most likely be the opportunity the company hops all over the idea.
Maryland online sports bettors can snag FanDuel Sportsbook’s excellent bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets offer today.
4. Barstool Maryland Sportsbook
 |
BARSTOOL MARYLAND SPORTSBOOK |
|---|---|
| ✍️ Expected Sign-Up Offer | 💰 $1,000 New Player Bonus |
| 🚨 Promo Code | TBA |
| 💲 Minimum Deposit | $5 |
| ✅ Minimum Betting Age | 21 |
| 🎲 Betting Requirement | 1x |
| ➡️ App Platforms | iOS (Apple App Store), Android (Google Play), Web Browser |
| 📲 Listed As | Barstool Sportsbook & Casino |
| ❗️ Seller | Penn Sports Interactive, LLC |
| 🇺🇸 States Available | MI, IA, IL, IN, PA, AZ, CO, VA |
| 🎰 Maryland Retail Partner | TBA |
| ⏰ Projected Launch Date | Late 2022/Early 2023 |
| 💯 ST Maryland Sportsbook Ranking | TBD |
| ⭐️ ST Maryland Review Rating | TBD |
Barstool Maryland Sportsbook is the operator everybody loves yet some simply cannot admit it. We here at Saturday Tradition love Barstool Sportsbook and often cannot get enough of the tantalizing mobile app.
The excellent online sports betting app’s introductory $1,000 new player bonus is one of the best in the business.
5. BetMGM Sportsbook
 |
BETMGM MARYLAND SPORTSBOOK |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Promo Code | TBA |
| 💲 Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| ✅ Minimum Betting Age | 21 |
| 🎲 Betting Requirement | None |
| ➡️ App Platforms | iOS (Apple App Store), Android (Google Play), Web Browser |
| 📲 Listed As | BetMGM Sportsbook |
| ❗️ Seller | ROAR Digital, LLC |
| 🇺🇸 States Available | MD, MI, IA, IL, IN, PA, NJ, NY, AZ, CO, DC, MS, NV, TN, VA, WV, WY |
| 🎰 Maryland Retail Partner | TBA |
| ⏰ Launch Date | Nov. 23, 2022 |
BetMGM Maryland Sportsbook is the online sports betting platform of the famed MGM Resorts and Casinos, its parent company, and what this specific option has going for it is its prestige.
This organization has been known for its gambling expertise for over 30 years. Similar to many of the top online sportsbooks out there, BetMGM first entered the market in New Jersey in 2018, when the PASPA was legendarily overturned.
Maryland Sports Betting Legislation Timeline
Patience has been the name of the Maryland online sports betting game. The state required voter approval for any commercial betting activity expansion. Excitingly, the referendum that was brought to the table was overwhelmingly approved.
Despite a slow patch that arrived as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maryland reversed course in the spring with the passage of Bill HB 940—one of the most impactful sports-betting bills to date.
Governor Larry Hogan made Maryland online sports betting a future reality on May 18, 2021. But the rollout has been painfully slow as the state grapples with how to manage and approve licenses, specifically for online operators.
- Nov. 23, 2022: Maryland online sports betting officially launches.
- Nov. 14, 2022: SWARC has moved up its approval meeting and will now meet on November 16, 2022, to review and approve potentially the list of ten sportsbook operators. This might pave the way for a launch in Maryland before Thanksgiving.
- Oct. 27, 2022: Ten sportsbook operators were found qualified to hold a Maryland online sports betting license. They will now be reviewed by SWARC and potentially awarded licenses on Nov. 21. The operators are Betfred, BetMGM, BetParx, Barstool, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel and Rush Street Interactive.
- Oct. 25, 2022: As many as ten sportsbook operators are set to be reviewed on Oct. 27, 2022. If approved, they will then be heard by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) at the approval meeting on Nov. 21, 2022.
- Oct. 19, 2022: Sports betting is expected to launch soon after Nov. 21, 2022. Nov. 21, 2022, is the scheduled license approval meeting. If approved, an operator likely has a couple of days of testing to ensure everything is working properly. Then they will likely launch to Maryland sports bettors within a few days after approval on Nov. 21, 2022.
- Oct. 5, 2022: The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission will announce qualified applicants for sports betting by Oct. 27.
- Sept. 22, 2022: SWARC agrees to approve sportsbooks on a rolling basis rather than a universal start date. This is extremely bullish for online sports betting to start in Maryland as it paves the way for continuous approval and online sportsbook licensing and launching. Expectations are now for a launch of sports betting in the state in late November or early December.
- Sept. 12, 2022: Maryland online sports betting is getting close. SWARC opens its application process for online sports betting and Class B licenses. The deadline for sportsbook operators to apply is Oct. 21, 2022. Industry experts begin to gain confidence that online sports betting might actually launch this year in Maryland.
- June 16, 2022: Maryland Governor Hogan sent a harsh letter to SWARC criticizing the delay of Maryland’s launch of online sports betting. Expectations are for a late 2022 or early 2023 launch in Maryland.
- April 25, 2022: Despite regular delays, expectations are rising for the launch of Maryland online sports betting with a possible launch during the NFL season.
- Dec. 22, 2021: Word gets out that Fanatics is looking for employees at a future Fanatics retail sportsbook in Maryland which would be the first retail sportsbook for the Fanatics brand.
- Dec. 9, 2021: Maryland sports betting officially starts with the first wager happening at the MGM National Harbor.
- Dec. 7, 2021: Multiple casinos and sportsbooks begin controlled demonstrations for sports betting to pave the way for the launch of sports betting in a couple of days. This includes the Caesars Sportsbook at the Horseshoe Casino, the FanDuel Sportsbook at the Maryland Live! Casino and Hotel and the BetMGM Sportsbook at the MGM National Harbor.
- Nov. 18, 2021: Retail sportsbook licenses are awarded to five casinos including casinos that are partnering with FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, Barstool Sportsbook and TwinSpires.
- Nov. 16, 2021: During a GamingCompliance webinar, Maryland’s Lottery and Gaming Director John martin said that online sports betting in Maryland “is going to take a long time.”
- Oct. 28, 2021: A meeting is set for Nov. 3, 2021, to review the status and regulations related to sports betting in Maryland. News is that this could pave the way for retail sportsbook launches including a FanDuel Sportsbook, Barstool Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook and others.
- Oct. 13, 2021: Despite planning to approve licenses for three Maryland casinos at a meeting scheduled for Oct. 14, 2021, the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) announces that they have postponed the meeting.
- Oct. 8, 2021: Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin explains that sports betting is making progress in the state of Maryland, but that online sports betting could be anywhere from six months to one year away.
- Oct. 6, 2021: The Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Live! Casino and Hotel and MGM National Harbor meet the requirements to receive sports betting licenses. Applications will be forwarded to SWARC.
- Oct. 4, 2021: Final rules and regulations for sports betting are officially under review in Maryland.
- Sept. 22, 2021: The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) is working on background checks with respect to operator licenses. There are up to 17 initial sportsbooks that may receive licenses.
- Sept. 14, 2021: The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission says that they expect in-person sports betting to begin in late fall or early winter, hoping for a launch by the start of the NFL Playoffs.
- Aug. 27, 2021: The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission published a 227-page document for sports betting rules in the Maryland Register. This began a 30-day period for public comment.
- Aug. 16, 2021: The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) meets for the first time.
- July 15, 2021: Maryland’s Lottery and Gaming Control Commission unanimously approves the rules and regulations for legalized sports betting within the state of Maryland. Residents will have 30 days to provide comments before the commission begins looking at applications from sports betting operators.
- June 10, 2021: PointsBet partners with the Riverboat on the Potomac, one of Maryland’s four licensed off-track betting sites (one of six total casinos in the state).
- May 19, 2021: The Baltimore Ravens partners with BetMGM, moving the sports gambling legitimacy needle further with the NFL jumping aboard.
- May 18, 2021: House Bill 940 is signed into law by Gov. Larry Hogan.
- April 12, 2021: HB 940 passes through the Maryland state legislature.
- Nov. 3, 2020: Maryland voters overwhelmingly approve the legalization of sports betting (retail) at casinos and stadiums by a margin of 2 to 1 via a referendum.
- May 14, 2018: PASPA is overturned, opening the door for states to legalize online sports betting.
Maryland Sports Betting Partnerships
University of Maryland and PointsBet
On Dec. 8, 2021, the University of Maryland became the first Big Ten school to partner with a sportsbook. This follows the announcement of PointsBet partnering with the University of Colorado which was the first-ever sports betting partnership within any Power 5 athletic program.
What does this partnership mean? PointsBet will be featured across digital and radio sporting event broadcasts.
Baltimore Ravens and Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook and the Baltimore Ravens struck a deal back in 2021 on a partnership that includes naming rights throughout the club level at M&T Bank Stadium as well as branding and signage throughout the stadium.
Perhaps this paves the way also for a retail sportsbook location adjacent to the M&T Bank Stadium (The NFL does have restrictions around having retail sports betting operations inside NFL stadiums).
Baltimore Orioles and SuperBook
SuperBook aims to enter the online sports betting scene in Maryland, but its first move will be a retail sportsbook. The Orioles and SuperBook will build a sportsbook location at the Orioles ballpark.
Orioles official T.J. Brightman noted, “The Orioles are thrilled to partner with SuperBook to enhance our gameday experience with the introduction of their first-ever on-premises sports lounge.”
How to place a bet with a Maryland Sportsbook
Placing a wager or a bet on a sports event with a Maryland sportsbook is quite simple. First, you’ll want to grab one of the promo codes available for the top sportsbooks that we’ve outlined on this page, and after your account is created, you can easily bet on your team of choice whether it be the Baltimore Ravens, the Baltimore Orioles, the Maryland Terrapins, or more.
Here are some simple and straightforward steps to place a wager on a Maryland sportsbook platform:
- Click on one of the links on this page to unlock a promo code, then complete the registration and account creation process at the particular sportsbook.
- Make a deposit for your sportsbook account.
- You can now place your first wager on a Maryland sports betting app!
Here are more details on each step in the process:
Registering with a Maryland Sports Betting App
Before you can place a wager with a Maryland sportsbook, you must go through the registration process and set up your account. Thankfully, the process to register and create your account is really simple and only takes a couple of minutes.
Typically, this will include some personal information such as full name, address, phone number and possibly the last four digits of your social security number. Concerned about privacy? These Maryland sportsbook operators are major U.S. companies that have a number of regulations surrounding their operations.
By leveraging one of the promo code links on this page, you can unlock some great value in the form of a welcome bonus when you create your account. The value might differ depending on the sportsbook you opt for, so pay attention to the details of each Maryland sports betting promo.
It’s a great thing to use one of these promos, however, because you’ll immediately have a larger bankroll by which you can place bets on sports events.
Deposit Funds into your Maryland Sportsbook Account
Once your account is created, you need to fund your account. Depending on the offer, sometimes a promo requires a deposit to be made to unlock the value. The good news is that typically a small deposit is all that is required. Again, make sure you check out the details of the various offers.
Maryland sportsbooks accept a number of standard payment and deposit options including credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard. PayPal is usually an acceptable way to fund your account as well.
Make a wager on a sporting event!
You’ve got an account and you’ve got money in your account. It’s time to start betting. Usually, you can do this through the desktop version of the Maryland sports betting site, or you can download the sportsbook app to your phone. The sportsbook apps are really handy for placing bets.
Make sure to wager responsibly! Starting slow and with the more standard betting options can be good advice before you move on to more exotic types of bets. Learn more about how to bet on college football.
Betting on Maryland Sports
With sports betting launching in Maryland, it’s going to bring quite a bit of wagering on the major U.S. sports. Let’s take a look at the various possibilities:
NFL Betting in Maryland
With online sports betting launching in Maryland, it’s going to bring quite a bit of wagering to NFL. This shouldn’t surprise anyone, after all, we all know NFL is king. Whether it’s TV ratings or sports-betting handle, NFL is king. The launch of betting is a great opportunity for football fans in the state. Thankfully, we’ll have the latter part of the NFL regular season as well as the NFL Playoffs in play for legal sports betting in Maryland.
No matter how the Baltimore Ravens are playing, it would draw a ton of betting interest. With the Ravens playing well during the 2022 season so far? It’s going to be massive. Of course, Lamar Jackson is leading the charge along with guys like Kenyan Drake and Mark Andrews. Bottom line: betting on the Ravens is going to be big in Maryland.
If sports betting launches soon after Nov. 21 in Maryland, here are the Ravens games that will be in play to place legal wagers on in Maryland:
| Date | Away Team | Home Team |
|---|---|---|
| November 27, 2022 | Baltimore Ravens | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| December 4, 2022 | Denver Broncos | Baltimore Ravens |
| December 11, 2022 | Baltimore Ravens | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| December 18, 2022 | Baltimore Ravens | Cleveland Browns |
| December 24, 2022 | Atlanta Falcons | Baltimore Ravens |
| January 1, 2022 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Baltimore Ravens |
| January 8, 2022 | Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals |
| NFL Playoffs | TBD | TBD |
Of course, it’s not just the Ravens. The Washington Commanders play their home games in Landover, Maryland at FedEx Field and have a number of fans throughout the state of Maryland. The Commanders are constantly in the news and are potentially about to sell for a record-breaking amount of money. Either way, the Commanders have a massive amount of fans in Maryland and around the country. Expect betting on the Commanders to be huge once Maryland launches online sports betting.
Assuming we get a sports betting launch toward the end of November, here are the Commanders games that Maryland bettors will be able to wager on in Maryland:
| Date | Away Team | Home Team |
|---|---|---|
| November 27, 2022 | Atlanta Falcons | Washington Commanders |
| December 4, 2022 | Washington Commanders | New York Giants |
| December 18, 2022 | New York Giants | Washington Commanders |
| December 24, 2022 | Washington Commanders | San Francisco 49ers |
| January 1, 2022 | Cleveland Browns | Washington Commanders |
| January 8, 2022 | Dallas Cowboys | Washington Commanders |
Maryland College Sports Betting
The University of Maryland Terrapins sports teams draws a ton of interest and action from Maryland sports fans. College football, of course, is a massive sport that draws quite a bit of betting action, but as we all know, the Maryland Terps also have a dominant college basketball brand.
It’s worth noting that as of now, there are no restrictions on betting on college sports that are planned within the regulations around Maryland sports betting. Some states do build in restrictions around college sports betting, but Maryland has not done this. In fact, you can already bet on college sports at the various retail locations around Maryland.
Sports Betting Primer
New to sports betting? Here are some basic concepts you’ll want to understand before you start betting on sports in Maryland.
Point Spread Betting
The purpose of a point spread is to level the playing field between two opposing teams. Naturally, one team is usually considered better than the other when they are playing against each other. The point spread evens the field. Rather than picking a team to win outright (as you do in a moneyline bet), when you have a point spread to.consider, it makes determining the winner with the point spread factored in a bit more difficult than simply picking the outright winner.
The point spread aims to turn the matchup into essentially a 50/50 proposition. Moreover, you can pick a team to win via point spread and it might mean they don’t even win the game.
How is this usually represented? If a team is considered better than its opponent, it might have a point spread of say seven points. This means that the experts believe if all things are equal, the better team should win by seven points. You’ll often see this represented on odds pages or matchup pages with a negative (-) sign. If a team is favored by seven points, it’ll show up as -7. Similarly, if a team is considered an underdog by seven points, it will be a positive (+) sign, or +7.
If a team is +7 in an upcoming matchup, they could lose the game, but be “win” against the point spread. For example, if a team is +7, they will beat the spread if they win outright or lose by six or fewer points. If they lose by more than seven points, they will lose against the spread.
You’ll hear the phrase “cover the spread” to mean if a team “beat” the point spread that it was assigned for a given matchup. A seven-point favorite will cover the spread if they win by more than seven points.
Can point spreads change? Yes, and they often do. Typically, two things can move the spreads as a game approaches. First, updated news and information can move the spread. Perhaps a star player on a team gets injured.
Well, that will change the potential outcome of the game, and therefore, the point spread will move based on this new information. Secondly, betting activity can move a point spread.
Let’s say the Maryland Terps are playing football and are favored by three points. If the betting public overwhelmingly thinks this spread is too low and begins placing large bets on Maryland to cover the three-point spread, the sportsbook will usually adjust the spread upwards to try and even out the betting activity. In most cases, the sportsbook wants a spread that encourages equal betting on both sides of the point spread.
Line already moved from -6 to -4 https://t.co/RpN1jNvRnp
— Vinny Simone (@VTSimone) November 9, 2022
Now typically a seven-point favorite won’t just have a -7 showing the spread, but it will also be accompanied by an odds number that can look something like -105. The odds number determines the payout amount in the event you win the point spread bet. For example, a number such as -110 means that you would win $100 if you wagered $110 (and you wagered correctly).
Occasionally, you might see a positive odds number such as +105. This means that you would win $105 if you wagered $100. Again, you’ll often see a points spread listed something like Maryland Terps -7 (-110). This means Maryland is favored by seven points and the odds are -110. The odds determine the amount of money paid out if you win the bet.
Moneyline Betting
While point spread betting is probably the most common form of sports betting, the moneyline bet is another important type of bet you should be familiar with prior to Maryland launching online sports betting.
A moneyline bet is simply a straight-up prediction on the outright winner of a game or a match.
Moneyline odds are usually in the form a negative (-) or positive (+) three-digit number, similar to the odds that accompany a point spread. The odds can tell you both the understood probability of a team’s likelihood to win the match as well as the amount of money you can earn based on your wager.
Let’s say Maryland is playing Michigan in football. If Michigan is a heavy favorite, you might see the moneyline odds for each team something like the following: Maryland +140 / Michigan -150. What does this mean? Well if you think Maryland, despite being an underdog, is going to win outright, you would win $140 on a $100 wager. If you want to pick the favorite in Michigan, you’d have to bet $150 to win $100. The lower payout reflects the more likely scenario that Michigan, as the favorite, would win the match. On the Maryland side, you’re betting on the more risky side, so the payout is larger.
Just like point spread lines and odds can move with new information and betting behavior, moneyline odds can move as well as new information comes out or the public begins putting heavy amounts of money on one side of the matchup.
Over-Under Betting
Let’s look at one other form of sports betting to complete this primer as it relates to Maryland sports betting. A third popular form of sports betting is the over / under points total bet.
Unlike the point spread bet and the moneyline bet, the over/under points total bet does not care at all about who wins or loses a game. You’re not betting on the outcome of the game with respect to who is victorious. Instead, you’re placing a wager on the total, the combined number of points scored across both teams.
Why would somebody make this type of bet? Consider the scenario where you really don’t have a strong opinion on who is going to end up victorious in a game, but you know the defenses are awful and you are sure a ton of points are going to be scored. Well, this is the type of bet that might interest you in such a scenario.
Of course, in this scenario, the oddsmakers might have the same opinion as you and set the over/under total points number pretty high. Like other bets, the oddsmakers are trying to encourage 50/50 betting on both sides of the equation.
Also, similar to point spread bets, you will usually have an odds number attached to each side of the over/under bet that tells you the payout amount of that particular wager.
Let’s say that Maryland Terps are playing Michigan State in college basketball. The over/under might look like this: 195 (-110) O / 195 (+105) U. In this scenario, the over/under points total is set at 195 points. If you think the game will go over those points, you’ll get -110 odds which means you’d have to bet $110 to win $100. If you think the game will go under, you’ll get better odds at +105. In this scenario, you would win $105 by betting $100.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the point total over/under lines can move around as well based on new information released and public betting behavior.
A Caveat to line moves
While the common thought is that sportsbook operators always want a 50/50 split on betting on both sides of a matchup and will move the line consistently to accomplish this, there is evidence and other opinions that say this is not always the case.
For instance, there are times that perhaps the sportsbooks are positioned on a certain side because they believe one side is the correct side and they want to encourage betting on the other (and therefore reap a windfall as the betting public loses). In this case, the sportsbook itself is essentially making a bet on the outcome of the game in its belief that it will reap more profit if the public bets a certain way.
And the line has moved … what … 0.5 points?
Vegas thinks it's gonna get PAID on this one, y'all. https://t.co/f0a8GIt9Pj
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) November 3, 2022
In this example above, the Twitter user is referencing the fact that despite a heavy majority of money coming in on the side of Tennessee in a previous Georgia vs. Tennessee game, the sportsbook operators had barely moved the line in response to this lopsided betting.
The implication here is that the sportsbooks believed Georgia would cover the spread and were willing to let the betting public overwhelmingly bet the other side. For what it’s worth, Georgia crushed Tennessee in this game and the sportsbook operators were right (if in fact, this is what they were doing).
Maryland Sports Betting Retail Locations
Thirty retail sports-betting licenses will be handed out by the state. Six of those will include the state’s major casinos.
MGM National Harbor
- 101 MGM National Ave, Forest Heights, MD 20745
- Sportsbook association: BetMGM
Ocean Downs
- 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD 21811
Live! Casino & Hotel
- 7002 Arundel Mills Cir #7777, Hanover, MD 21076
- Sportsbook partnership: FanDuel Sportsbook
Hollywood Casino Perryville
- 1201 Chesapeake Overlook Pkwy, Perryville, MD 21903
Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
- 1525 Russell St, Baltimore, MD 21230
- Sportsbook association: Caesars Sportsbook
Rocky Gap Casino Resort
- 16701 Lakeview Rd NE, Flintstone, MD 21530
Maryland Sports Betting Tax Rates
Maryland taxes the gross sports betting revenue at a rate of 15%. The revenue from sports betting taxation is said to go to Maryland’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which is a fund earmarked for improving public education within the state. Is 15% considered high?
Not necessarily. Some states have lower rates, such as 10%, while states like New York are much higher.
Critics of the rollout of Maryland online sports betting have often cited the unrealized tax revenue that Maryland is leaving on the table by delaying the launch of online sports wagering for so long.
Other states of comparable population size that have had online sports betting legal for some time have generated millions in tax revenue to fill the state coffers.
Maryland Sports Betting FAQ
Is Sports Betting Legal in Maryland?
Yes: As of Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, a day prior to Thanksgiving, Maryland online sports betting launched in the state.
Is FanDuel Sportsbook Legal in Maryland?
Yes: FanDuel is currently live and available for download, including a partnership with Live! Casino & Hotel and the Baltimore Ravens.
Is DraftKings Sports Betting Legal in Maryland?
Yes: Similar to FanDuel, DraftKings is also now live, featuring a partnership with the Washington Football Team.
Is Maryland online sports betting currently live?
Yes:: Although previous projections had Fall 2021 as the first-go-live date, Maryland online sports betting did not fully launch until Nov. 23, 2022.
Is retail sports betting currently legal and live?
Yes: Although it took the online piece some time to fully unveil itself, retail sports betting in Maryland has been available for some time.
Who controls Maryland sports betting?
The state: The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission controls it.
Can I bet on college sports once it goes live?
Yes: College sports is included, including in-state college teams such as The University of Maryland.
Can I Play Daily Fantasy Sports in Maryland?
Yes: Maryland does allow daily fantasy sports, as it is not officially deemed as sports wagering. The profit made from playing is taxable income.
How many retail licenses will be dished out in Maryland?
30: A total of 30 retail sports betting licenses will be handed out, six of which include the state's major casinos.
What is the Size of the Maryland Sports Betting Market?
Massive: Maryland's betting market should be huge. Many experts project a sports betting handle passing $200 million.
ST Maryland Sportsbook Reviews
ST Sports Betting State Pages
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