Online Sports Betting in Maryland
Published:Maryland debuted its official online mobile betting market in late 2022. Seven operators were like from day 1, including big-name books like Barstool, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and PointsBet. Often referred to as “America in Miniature,” Maryland possesses a variety of topography in its borders. Other state nicknames include the “Old Line State” and “Free State,” referring to both the Revolutionary War and the opposition to prohibition in 1919.
The Latest in Maryland Sports Betting
With a high number of sportsbooks and betting apps live in Maryland already, it’s hard to keep track of what the best choices are. Even though the core activity is the same on each app (betting), different books offer different strengths or weaknesses.
The best app for competitive odds is PointsBet. The best app for marketwide diversity is BetMGM. The best app for in-play betting options is DraftKings. If you’re looking for promotions, the best app is Caesars. The easiest app to navigate is FanDuel.
The requirements to bet online in Maryland are simple – you have to be 21+ and physically located in the state to place wagers. Maryland bettors can wager on all of the major sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, and NHL). They can also place wagers on college football and college basketball, European basketball leagues, cricket, and rugby.
You can also expect Fanatics sportsbook to launch sometime soon, before the start of the 2023-2024 NFL season.
Here are some quick facts about Sports Betting in Maryland
- The law allows up to 47 retail sportsbook licenses and 60 online sportsbook licenses
- Three reserves licenses have been created in the event that a new professional team moves to Maryland
- Maryland delayed the initial launch in an effort to meet and create better inclusion and diversity goals
- The betting law contains no prohibitions on wagers except for high school sports and non-sporting events like the Academy Awards
Popular Sports in Maryland
Baltimore is home to the majority of the professional sports teams in Maryland. The Orioles (MLB) and Ravens (NFL) are both based in Baltimore. Ironically, the third professional sports team in Maryland is actually the Washington Commanders, who play in Summerfield. Despite being a D.C. team in name, they play five miles outside of D.C. in Maryland.
Maryland is also home to 5 minor league baseball clubs, 4 semi-pro or amateur basketball teams, and more. Annapolis (the capital of Maryland) will be home to the women’s soccer teams Blues FC, as well as United FC.
At the collegiate level, Maryland is most known for their state school (the Maryland Terrapins). Other prominent collegiate athletic programs include:
- Coppin State (Eagles)
- Navy (Midshipmen)
- Towson (Tigers)
- UMBC (Retrievers)
Popular Athletes in Maryland
Some of the greatest sports figures in American history were born in Maryland or played professionally in Maryland. That list includes:
- Babe Ruth (MLB Hall of Famer, 7x World Series Champion, 12x Home Run Leader)
- Michael Phelps (23x Olympic gold medalist, most decorated Olympian of all time)
- Pam Shriver (WTA #3 in singles and #1 in doubles, Olympic gold medalist, 22 Grand Slam doubles titles)
- Cal Ripken Jr. (MLB Hall of Famer, 19x All-Star, World Series Champion, MLB record 2,632 consecutive games played)
- Lefty Grove (MLB 6x All-Star, 2x World Series Champion, 2x Triple Crown Winner, 7x AL Strikeout Leader)
- Jimmie Foxx (MLB Hall of Famer, 9x All-Star, 2x World Series Champion, Triple Crown Winner, 4x Home Run Leader)
- Sugar Ray Leonard (Olympic gold medalist boxer, one of the greatest boxers of all-time with a career record of 36-3-1)
- Adrian Dantley (2x first-team All-American, 2x NBA scoring champion, 6x NBA All-Star)
- Ray Lewis (NFL Hall of Famer, 2x Super Bowl Champion, Super Bowl MVP, 2x DPOY, 13x Pro Bowler)
- Len Bias (2x ACC Player of the Year, #2 overall NBA Draft Pick)
- Dominique Dawes (3x Olympian, gold medalist at the 1996 Summer Olympics)
- John Lucas (Only player to ever win ACC player of the year in multiple sports – tennis and basketball)
