Betting on sports can be problematic in Maryland, at least where the actual bookmaker’s activities are concerned. Operators of illegal bookie businesses can be charged for illegal gambling. However, it must be noted that Maryland is far more interested in penalizing operators of illegal bookmaking businesses than individual bettors. This means that the online sportsbooks are a great option for Maryland bettors.

• 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.
• In the meantime, Maryland online betting options consist of horse racing betting and daily fantasy sports. In-person gambling options consist of six casinos, multiple racetracks, off-track betting locations (OTBs), and the state lottery. Best Betting Sites in Maryland.

Maryland Legal Online Gambling For 2021. Maryland finally legalized sports betting, but the market has yet to launch. However, you can bet on sports and gamble online via legal international betting sites. Domestically, Maryland offers numerous retail gambling options, but most forms of gaming such as casino gambling and poker, are restricted.

Indeed, no MD resident has ever been cited, fined, or arrested for wagering on sports over the Internet with offshore bookmakers, and that trend is unlikely to change unless the changes to explicitly criminalize this activity (which is highly unlikely, particularly given the recent overturn of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, or PASPA). If you wish to research the Maryland Code for yourself, you can find the gambling section, § 12–101 et seq., here.

Maryland Legal Sports Betting Efforts In 2020

Legal sports betting in Maryland has been approved in the November 2020 election for the state. The basic provisions of the bill are that it awards the state legislature the ability to grant licenses to sports betting locations and operations in the state, so long as those sports betting locations are already licensed by the state as either a) casinos or b) horse racing tracks. The revenue raised by the bill will be used for public education. The bill has been passed by the Maryland statehouse, which sent it to the desk of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. Now that the bill has been voted on, lawmakers will be taking the next step to officially launch sports betting in the state.

Is it Legal to Bet on Sports in Maryland?

Betting on sports is now legal in Maryland. Lawmakers will not be able to meet to decide rules and regulation until 2021 in the next legislative session. Sports fans can look forward to local and legal sportsbooks in the next year.

Although there are currently no legal and licensed land-based or online bookies in Maryland, a number of offshore online bookies accept Maryland bettors. The good news is that the state does not have a single law that specifically criminalizes the act of signing up at offshore online bookies and placing bets on sports events there. It can therefore be safely concluded that betting on sports at offshore online bookies is perfectly legal, especially if Maryland bettors stick to the online bookies we recommend for them.

Online Betting In Maryland Lottery

Useful Article:Is Online Sports Betting Legal In The U.S.

Will Maryland Residents Get into Trouble for Placing Bets Online?

So far, not a single Maryland bettor has gotten into trouble with the law just for placing bets at offshore online sportsbooks. Since Maryland does not have any online sports betting law that specifically prevents bettors from signing up at offshore online bookies, it is in no position to penalize residents who use online betting services. If anybody has to fear the law, it is not individual Maryland bettors, but those who try to run illegal bookie businesses within the state.

The state simply does not tolerate anybody who runs unlicensed bookie businesses in its jurisdiction. Since the state does not license any live bookie, it is dangerous for bettors to deal with them. But it is perfectly safe and legal for Maryland bettors to use offshore online bookies because they are all licensed and regulated in remote gambling jurisdictions.

Legal NFL Betting

Many resident sports fans are unsure about legal NFL betting in Maryland and how to get started. First and foremost, you do have options for betting on teams like the Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Redskins legally. Of course, you can visit a sportsbook in Nevada to wager on Redskins betting lines or visit Delaware to include the Ravens in a parlay, but there are legal options that are more convenient than these. There are no state laws or federal laws that prohibit you from using the internet to bet on sports. As long as you do not go to a local bookie or start your own operation, you have legal NFL betting options at your disposal.

Can I Legally Bet On The Baltimore Ravens?

You can legally bet on the Baltimore Ravens at any of the top NFL sports betting sites. These sites accept players from Maryland and have all of the Ravens betting lines that you could ask for. You can wager on the Baltimore Ravens to win outright, cover the point spread, or bet on the over/under. Legal Maryland sportsbooks will also offer plenty of futures and props for even more to bet on. You can put money on the Baltimore Ravens to win the Super Bowl and wager on their chances to take the AFC title. When you join an offshore online sportsbook, you will be able to legally bet on the Ravens. I want to bet on the Ravens now!

How To Legally Bet On The Washington Redskins Online

You can legally bet on the Washington Redskins online at any reputable NFL sports betting site. These online sportsbooks will be based offshore, and are licensed to accept players from MD and all over the USA. When you join, you will find hundreds of legal Washington Redskins betting odds to put money on. Bet on the Redskins Super Bowl odds, along with odds to win the division or the NFC. Legal Maryland sportsbooks allow you to bet on the Redskins in a safe, legal environment. From the quickest deposits to the most reliable payouts, legal NFL betting sites are the best way to wager on Washington Redskins betting lines. I want to bet on the Redskins now!

Legal College Football Betting

NCAA football fans will find all of the legal college football betting action they crave at online sportsbooks. As Maryland residents, you will want to use a site that hosts plenty of Maryland Terrapins betting odds. College football betting lines might include the Terrapins’ odds to win the Big Ten, the Terrapins’ National Championship odds, or the regular season win total for the Terps. To bet on the Maryland Terrapins, you only need to fund your online sportsbook account, possibly claim a huge bonus, and start profiting from your favorite college football team. Sites like BetOnline and BookMaker accept Maryland residents every day. I want to bet on the Terps now! I want to bet on the Terps now!

Where Can Maryland Residents Bet Sports Online?

Maryland residents have plenty of offshore online sports betting options. Well aware that it is very difficult for beginners to identify the reputed and licensed online betting sites, we have done all the hard work of researching each and every online bookmaker to identify the best Maryland friendly online bookies. While online bookies usually steer clear of Maryland because of its unfriendly attitude toward online gambling, the few that accept Maryland residents are licensed and trustworthy sites.

Best Online Sportsbooks That Accept Maryland Residents

SportsBetting Sportsbook – Lifetime Bonuses Good To $1,000 Each Deposit!

SportsBetting is one of the safest and most secure online sports betting sites for US bettors. The online bookie does not tolerate cheating or gaming collusion or underage gambling. As such, SportsBetting is one of the staunchest advocates of responsible gambling and fair play. The customer support system at SportsBetting is one of the best such services in the industry, and any bettor who wants to contact a customer care representative can do so through toll-free phone calls, email, and live chat.

SportsBetting covers a huge selection of sports such as football, golf, tennis, baseball, basketball, auto racing, and others. Additionally, the online bookie offers betting opportunities on political and celebrity happenings. Bettors can experiment with several types of bets such as props, lines, totals, spreads, futures, and so on.

One of the highlights of SportsBetting is its lifetime bonus of 25% worth up to $1000 in free plays, which the online bookie gives away on each and every deposit made by its customers. First-time Maryland members who sign up now can also get a 50% welcome bonus worth up to $1000, so you can be a high roller before you know it!

BetOnline Sportsbook – All Bettors In Maryland Allowed At BetOnline

Can You Bet Online In Maryland

BetOnline’s online sportsbook is the ideal sports betting site for MD bettors as it offers the best betting odds on all major American sports such as football, soccer, baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, MMA, boxing, and others. US bettors can wager on professional leagues as well as college sports events. BetOnline is home to exciting bet types such as lines, spreads, futures, teasers, parlays, if bets, and others. One of the best features of BetOnline is the ability to live bet on games that are happening in real-time, with odds that shift and change according to the action in-game.

A brand belonging to a prestigious bookmaker who has been in business for several decades, BetOnline is licensed and regulated and gives top priority to customer protection, responsible gambling, and fair play. Besides, the BetOnline website contains all the information bettors need to get started. BetOnline is also home to the best odds for the Ravens, Terrapins, Orioles, and any other team that Maryland residents love.

BetOnline allows bettors to place bets online as well as on their phone, and Maryland residents who sign up today can get a valuable deposit-match bonus that will place free betting money straight into their account.

Bookmaker.eu – Old-School Cool For Maryland Residents

BookMaker is one of the longest-standing online sports betting sites that accepts MD bettors. You will be able to bet on the Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins, and all of your other favorite regional teams. The motto of the sportsbook is “Where the Line Originates,” and that is because the oddsmaker posts lines well before the majority of other sites. BookMaker is a bona fide industry trendsetter, and the online bookie offers 1000s of different betting options for unlimited opportunities to win real cash.

The selection of prop bets a BookMaker is one of the largest in the industry. You will find player props, team props, and game props on just about everything. You can even bet live during games on halftime lines, quarter lines, adjusted totals, spreads, and moneylines. BookMaker gives you the most exciting betting action, and it does this in a subdued, comfortable way that’s perfect for betting at home or on the go via the BookMaker mobile betting portal.

You can also check out promotions and rewards that BookMaker sportsbook periodically offers. There are so many ways to increase your bankroll when you bet on sports at BookMaker, and new MD resident members can even get a 15% welcome bonus in actual cash instead of free-plays like most books use.

Online Sportsbooks That Accept Maryland Residents

Maryland Sports Betting Laws

After a careful study of Maryland’s sports betting laws, we have come to the conclusion that betting on sports is not legal in the state, at least from the operators’ point of view. Maryland’s betting laws have been designed to control the illegal activities of operators who are not supposed to operate in Maryland. None of the state’s laws focus on cracking down upon individual bettors. On the federal level, the Wire Act of 1961 definitely prohibits the placing of bets online, but it is again directed at operators who run their businesses inside the US. Since all the best online sportsbooks operate overseas and completely outside of US jurisdiction, it is perfectly legal to wager with these companies.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is another federal law that purports to curb “illegal” gambling over the Internet, but this law – like the all the others – is not aimed at individual bettors. In this case, the UIGEA specifically goes after US-based financial institutions that knowingly process gambling-related transactions. The law, like the rest, has had no effect on limiting access to gambling for Maryland bettors that look to play at overseas sports betting sites.

Now that the most restrictive federal anti-gambling law, PASPA, has been struck down, Maryland is free to institute their own rules and regulations for legalized sports betting inside the state. However, there is no indication that the state legislature has taken on the task of presenting or debating such a law to date. That said, it’s only a matter of time before sports betting is formally legalized in the state, with most analysts expecting this to occur sometime within the next calendar year.

Useful Article:Sports Betting Laws in the U.S.A.

Maryland Online Sports Betting FAQ

Are Online Sportsbooks Accepting Maryland Residents Regulated?

Maryland does not license and regulate any bookmaking company to run online or land-based bookmaking businesses within its jurisdiction simply because the state has not legalized sports betting and lacks the laws required for regulatory activities. A number of offshore bookies accept Maryland bettors, but the state has not issued a license to any one of them.

Maryland bettors, however, don’t have to think that offshore online bookies are illegal just because they are not regulated in Maryland. All the Maryland friendly bookies we recommend are licensed and regulated in remote gambling jurisdiction and they are all required to meet certain industry standards to retain their licenses. You can rest assured that you will not be scammed by any of these online bookies.

How Maryland Would Benefit From Legalized Sports Gambling?

Maryland could definitely boost its revenue if only it legalized and regulated sports betting in general and online sports betting in particular. The people of Maryland are fond of not only viewing professional league and collegiate sports matches, but also of placing bets on them. Right now, the only way Maryland bettors can bet on their favorite sports is by registering at offshore online sportsbooks.

This is ultimately unfortunate, of course, given that MD residents turn an estimated handle of some $5 billion to $8 billion annually wagering on sports at the overseas services, and much of that money never comes back stateside. Should Maryland develop its own sports betting industry, it will be able to keep the lion’s share of that expenditure inside its borders, with tax revenue going towards boosting state coffers while the remainder of the cash spent betting on sports stays inside the state economy.

What Teams Do Maryland Bettors Favor?

Maryland is home to the MLB’s Baltimore Orioles and the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. In addition to these homegrown clubs, MD residents make up significant fanbases of other teams in nearby states, like the Washington Nationals, Washington Wizards, the Redskins, the Capitals, and more. Plus, there are a number of semi-professional baseball teams that play in places such as Hagerstown and Frederick, and you can sometimes get action on these clubs.

The Terrapins of the University of Maryland is one of the state’s favorite clubs to wager on during the basketball and football seasons, and Maryland bettors are also surprisingly fond of collegiate and professional lacrosse. You will find action on all these teams and sports – and a whole lot more – at the top online Maryland sportsbooks listed above.

Can I Use The DC Sports Betting System?

In short, no. DC has implemented a system to allow for DC residents to legally bet on sports but this does not include Virginia and Maryland residents that surround the District. The Lottery oversees the operations and will only allow DC residents to enter into the system. We advise not attempting to curtail the system as any payout you receive may ask to verify your information and you will be stuck without the ability to do so.

How Much Money Is Bet On Sports In Maryland?

Since sports betting in Maryland is not yet regulated, there is really no way of tracking how much money is bet in Maryland. Sports betting is a major attraction in Maryland, however as the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Orioles are there and they are close to other East Coast professional teams like the New York Yankees, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, and many more. It is easy to assume that millions are wagered on sports out of Maryland every year. Maryland sports bettors are currently only able to bet on sports through international betting sites, who do not release sports betting numbers for states they operate in.

When Will Sports Betting Come To Maryland?

The idea of bringing legal sports betting in Maryland has been advancing rather quickly. After DC started their own initiative, MD legislators took note and filed a bill to allow the Maryland state lottery to authorize wagering. Delegate Jason Buckel was the lawmaker who sponsored the bill and has been gaining support all through the legislative session. Only time will tell, but we imagine sports betting in Maryland will come sooner than later, especially as the neighboring states offering the industry continue to grow.

Where Can I Bet On Sports Around Maryland?

Though the measure has not been approved (yet), its plans are to have Maryland residents able to bet on sports at the horse racing tracks as well as with an online system operated by the lottery. This would be accessible for any resident aged 21 and older and also has introduced the idea of having betting kiosks like video lottery machines around the state. The commission still must adopt regulations before anything is finalized though.

Where Will The Maryland Sports Betting Tax Revenue Go?

Maryland legislators have suggested that the tax contributions from sports betting facilities be broken into three categories. The majority of the money (80%) will be given to the Education Trust Fund which gives scholarships and helps finance students’ abilities to go to college. The remaining 20% is split evenly between going into a Problem Gambling Fund and going to support local impact grants.

How Can Maryland Residents Fund Their Online Sportsbook Account?

Maryland residents have a variety of options when it comes to starting your online account. The most popular is by using a credit card, though some sites may have a problem because of a federal law known as UIGEA. This will not stop you from gambling but may just slow you down – just call the cashier and they will fix it. The quickest method is by using Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency (if the site accepts Litecoin/Ethereum) as this will process instantaneously. Also, crypto promotions are generally much better than any other deposit method.

Much like every state looking to legalize sports betting, Maryland had flirted with the idea ever since the 2018 US Supreme Court decision. After all, Maryland does have other forms of gambling at horse racing tracks and brick-and-mortar casinos.

Finally, sports betting at those casinos is on the way, as voters voted yes on the legal sports betting question on the November 2020 ballot.

Latest updates

Last updated: Dec. 17, 2020

Penn National Gaming secured operations to Hollywood Casino Perryville for $31.1 million in cash. The plan is to launch a Barstool Sportsbook, both retail and online, pending regulatory approval.

Online Betting Sites In Maryland

Voters in Maryland said “yes” to legal sports betting in the Nov. 3 elections. Question 2 on the ballot posed legalizing wagering in the state, with the purpose of raising money for local education. Now that it’s a done deal, in all reality, Maryland sports betting could begin in 2021. It all depends on how fast details can get hammered out and when the first bets will actually be taken.

When will Maryland sports betting launch?

The sports betting gears were turning very slowly in Maryland.

After the Maryland Senate passed a full-fledged sports betting bill, the House opted to strip all the language regarding how sports betting would be conducted.

Because of this, voters had to approve sports betting via a November 2020 ballot initiative. They were asked this question:

“Do you favor the expansion of commercial gaming in the State of Maryland to authorize sports and event betting for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education?”

Now that it has passed with a legal vote, conservative guesses would say that sports betting could launch sometime in late 2021.

Remember, lawmakers still have to sit down in 2021 and plan out exactly how sports betting will function in the state. There are regulations, rules, and decisions to make on licenses, plus a whole host of details to be worked out.

Where will I be able to make legal sports bets in Maryland?

Sports betting traditionally operates via two outlets: physical retail locations and mobile/online wagering.

Maryland is in a perfect position for both. The state has six casinos, three racetracks and several gambling operators that would love a crack at the online market.

Retail locations

As mentioned, Maryland has six land-based casinos, all of which would be capable of opening a retail sportsbook.

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

Additionally, there are three racetracks capable of opening sportsbooks.

• Pimlico Race Course
• Laurel Park
• Timonium at Maryland State Fairgrounds

Mobile sports betting apps

Usually, when a property opens a retail sportsbook, it tends to launch a companion app. There are six gambling operators in the state that could go at it alone or partner with other companies to launch apps.

• Caesars Entertainment
• Gaming and Leisure Properties
• Golden Entertainment
• MGM Resorts International
• Saratoga Casino Holdings
• The Cordish Companies

Of course, these are all hypotheticals. Ultimately, who can and will operate sports betting will be determined by the language in the final sports betting bill.

Background to Maryland gambling law

Maryland’s history with gambling dates back to 1947 when four southern counties went over the governor’s head and installed 9,300 gambling machines. When 1968 rolled around, Maryland outlawed slot machines altogether, and the millions generated from these illegal machines dried up.

Four decades later in 2008, residents approved a constitutional amendment to allow slot machines in five designated locations. In 2012, voters again elected to expand gambling by permitting table games and authorizing a sixth casino in the state.

That sixth casino, MGM National Harbor, is right across the water from Washington, D.C.

The six casinos are located in:

• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore
• Cecil County
• Allegany County
• Worchester County
• Prince George’s County

How old do I have to be to place sports bets in Maryland?

Since there is no sports betting law just yet, the exact age to place a bet is still unknown. However, simply looking at other states with sports betting, it’s safe to assume you will have to be 21 or older to place a wager.

The minimum gambling age in the state is 21; odds are that will apply to sports betting, as well.

The mechanics of getting started

When the laws are finalized, sportsbooks are officially open, and apps and online sites have launched, then you will be ready to start betting.

Online Horse Betting In Maryland

Make sure you understand sports betting basics and the type of bet you are placing. If you have any doubts, the casino staff can explain.

Typically, you can place a bet in two ways.

The traditional way is to go to a tellerwindow. You pay your money and receive a ticket, which is your record of the bet.

A new way is to use a bettingkiosk. These come with touch screens that display all the available bet types and games. Select your bet, pay with cash or card, and the kiosk will print out your betting ticket.

Keep your betting ticket safe because you will need it if you win. To collect your winnings, go to the teller window and hand over your ticket.

How do I begin mobile sports betting in Maryland?

If law permits, mobile wagering will be a way for customers to place bets without having to travel to a physical sportsbook.

Geolocation will ensure that you are within state borders, and various levels of security will be installed on the apps to make sure you are who you say you are.

However, until that day comes, all of this is hypothetical.

When online sports betting arrives, you can set up a sports betting account in a matter of minutes. In some jurisdictions, such as Nevada, the law states that you must set up your account in person at a casino. There is a chance lawmakers in Maryland might adopt this rule.

You would only need to travel to the nearest physical sportsbook once to set up your account. After that, you would be able to place wagers from anywhere in the state.

Whenever online sports betting launches in MD, we will provide links to all the various brands together with reviews of each operator.

To open your account, follow one of our links and complete the information on the sign-up page. Remember, personal details will be required. This is to prevent any chance of underage gambling.

After you have chosen a screen name and password, you are ready to place your first bets. If you open your account using a mobile device, you will need to download the appropriate app. After that, the process is the same as signing up from your desktop.

Be sure to check out the new customer offers before deciding which online sportsbook to use.

How to make a deposit

Much like an online bank account, you will need money in your sportsbook account in order to place a bet.

Online sports betting operators will offer as many ways as they can to allow customers to make deposits. In some states, the laws even stipulate that operators must accept specific payment methods.

When you place a bet, funds are taken from your sportsbook account, and any winnings will credit to it. The operator will provide a complete transaction history on request.

US deposit methods

There are several options to deposit funds in other legal sports betting states. These options include:

• Credit and debit cards
• Prepaid cards
• Wire transfers
• E-checks
• PayPal, Skrill and Neteller
• Cash
• Check or money order

How to withdraw winnings

Withdrawals are easiest if you can use the same method you used to make your deposit.

Withdrawals are fast compared to the time needed by offshore (or illegal) sites. Because these are not allowed to use the US banking system, it can take weeks to claim your winnings from an offshore operator.

In the US, the process is almost instant if using credit or debit cards or payment processing services.

Other withdrawal methods, such as requesting a check, can take a little longer. You may not withdraw money through PayNearMe.

Easy financial transactions and the security of your account funds are significant reasons to switch from offshore sports betting to the legal market.

Do I have to be in Maryland to bet online?

Short answer — yes. If you set up an online sports betting account in Maryland, you will most likely have to be inside state boundaries to place a bet. The same goes if you are betting in neighboring Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

Online gambling is regulated at the state level, not the federal level, so Maryland law no longer applies when you leave the state. One step across the border, and you are no longer legally allowed to wager on your mobile device with a Maryland licensed operator.

Geolocationtechnology is accurate. If you try to place a bet, the software will refuse to accept it. Of course, all bets you have made before leaving the state remain legal.

Another frequently asked question is, what if the same operator is in both states? Regardless, you will have to set up separate accounts. You will not be able to use your Pennsylvania account to bet in Maryland and vice versa.

What sports can I bet on in Maryland?

In theory, you most likely will be able to bet on any and all sports in Maryland.

Typically the regulator decides what counts as a sport eligible for betting. Betting on the Oscars may or may not qualify.

However, there is a possibility that lawmakers may adopt a rule that prohibits wagering on in-state college teams, much like New Jersey.

Obviously, there will be no betting on high school sports or any sports involving minors where they are the majority participants.

What types of sports bets will be available in MD?

The law may specify the types of permitted sports bets, but the regulator will probably have a great deal of latitude.

Some of the common bet types are:

• Moneyline:Wagers on which team or player will win.
• Spreads: You don’t bet on the winner of the game; you bet on the difference between the final scores of the two teams involved in the game.
• Totals: Betting on the combined total of both teams’ scores.
• Futures: Futures bets are on something a long way off, such as who will win the NBA championship.
• Parlay: You select the winners of several games, usually all taking place on the same day. If you get one winner wrong, you lose your stake.
• Teaser: This is just like a parlay, but the legs of the parlay are only on totals bets or spread bets, and you can move the line in your favor.

Live betting on MD sports betting apps

Live betting allows you to wager after a game has begun. The data that sports betting operators have now is so good — at least for major events — that they can adjust the odds of bets in response to the action on the field almost instantly.

Live betting, or in game wagering, is where you bet on certain outcomes during a game. Some examples include:

Online Sports Betting Maryland

• Will the next play be a run or a pass?
• Will David Johnson run for a TD on the next play?
• Will LeBron James make a 3-point shot on this possession?
• What will the total score be at the end of the next quarter?

Live, in game wagering is rapidly becoming a favorite of bettors. When you have a bunch of friends watching a game together, a few small in-game bets can enhance your enjoyment of the game and give everyone a stake in the outcome.

Which sportsbooks will launch in Maryland?

It’s still too early to know who will be opening a sportsbook in Maryland. But by looking at neighboring states and other jurisdictions that have launched sports betting, we have a good guess as to who might.

Is Online Betting Legal In Maryland

The names you will almost certainly see if they can get access to the market will be:

• Kindred
• Kambi

All are already active in the US market, and all will try to find a Maryland sports betting partner.

Horse Race Betting Online In Maryland

Does Maryland support other forms of online gambling?

Short answer — no.

Unfortunately, Maryland does not have any other forms of online gambling such as online poker or online casino games.

The state does have charitable, horse-based gambling, a state lottery and land-based casinos.