Sports betting is now legal in Maryland, with the first retail sportsbooks taking bets in December 2021. According to the latest reports, online sportsbooks aren’t far away, meaning bettors in MD will be able to bet on all kinds of different sports. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission is in charge of all gambling activities in the state, including sports betting.
Maryland held a referendum on the issue of legal sports betting back in November 2020. The referendum asked the 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?” to MD voters.
The initiative was approved by voters, giving the government until 2021 to find out how to effectively legalize Maryland sports betting in the state and adopt a bill. The governor’s signed legislation went into effect on July 1, 2021. However, the first retail sportsbooks would not open until December, some months later.
What Sports Are Available at Maryland Sportsbooks?
Maryland sportsbooks are now available for real money wagering on all major sports. There are now several retail sportsbooks throughout the state, including the BetMGM sportsbook and the TwinSpires sportsbook.
In the first full month of business for retail sportsbooks in Maryland, $32.5 million was placed in wagers. This resulted in taxable revenue of $4.3 million and around $650,000 paid in taxes to the local government. This money, according to the laws of the state, will be used to fund education and community services.
Maryland sportsbooks offer bets on the following sports:
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Boxing
- And many more
When Will Online Sports Betting Arrive in MD?
Online sports betting is on its way to Maryland, but it will be a while before things are complete. The main obstacle is finalizing the regulations before ensuring that the licenses can be approved. The state offers three main types of sports betting licenses. There are ten class A licenses which are only available for the state’s six land-based casinos. A further thirty class B licenses are available for local businesses with physical locations.
The third type of license is the mobile sports betting license, of which there are sixty available. Each of the class A and B license holders will be able to apply for one of these, and other mobile sports betting sites will also be able to launch in Maryland. According to industry insiders, including MLGCA Director John Martin, online sports betting in Maryland may not begin until the 2022 NFL season.
Maryland bettors will likely have a large number of sportsbooks to choose from in the future. Many popular sports betting companies might enter the market with 60 potential mobile licenses on the table. Barstool Sportsbook, for example, is likely to make its app available in Maryland. Penn National, the parent business, purchased a casino in Maryland in late 2020, paving the door for Barstool.
Aside from Barstool Sportsbook, MD residents can also expect the launch of FanDuel and DraftKings sportsbooks. These two companies have played a big part in the approval of sports betting regulation in Maryland, so it’s likely they have their eyes on this market. In addition, PointsBet recently formed a partnership with a local riverboat casino, meaning it will most likely be launching its services in Maryland in the near future.
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