Maryland passed a law in May 2020 which paves the way for sports betting in “the Free State.” However, it will only come into effect with a state-wide voter referendum in November. That means there are no legal MD sports sites yet. We would love to share the best Maryland online sportsbooks with you, along with our favorite Maryland sports betting sites, but in the meantime, read on for information about the outlook of sports betting in the near future.
Though you may find so-called betting sites within the state, you should be aware that these are not legal or legitimate, which means you will receive no player protection. For your own safety, we recommend only participating in legal Maryland gambling, like at casinos, horse tracks, or daily fantasy sports (DFS). This page contains information on all legal betting options in the state.
Current Maryland Sports Betting Situation
In spring 2020, the MD senate passed SB 4, a stripped-down version of a more robust bill that had been on the table for some time. The former bill would have stipulated measures for legalized sports betting in the state, including the tax rate, betting sites such as MD land-based casinos, and possible partners like the Washington Redskins. The new bill does not specify much, except that voters will have a chance to legalize sports betting in the upcoming November election.
All in all, that means there is a good chance for sports betting to become legal in Maryland, though it will take some time after that to work out the details. That means Maryland sports betting sites are just around the corner, possibly to be expected in 2021.
You may be wondering if it is possible to find the best online Maryland sportsbooks now. The answer is, sadly, no. There are sports betting sites that will accept players within the state, but they are operating illegally and therefore should not be trusted.
Are Maryland Daily Fantasy Sports Apps Available
Maryland is big on sports, especially with its NFL and MLB teams. It is logical that MD would become one of the first states with legalized, and easy-to-use, daily fantasy sports apps. DFS is different from sports betting in that gamers bet on individual players’ performances by creating their own “fantasy” lineups, as opposed to betting on the outcomes of the game.
Players also test their knowledge against other players, or fans, as opposed to against a skilled bookie, which may help your odds! DFS in Maryland currently includes NFL, MLB, golf and college sports. There are several popular apps for DFS from TVG, Xpressbet, Twinspires and the well-known brand FanDuel. These will allow you to easily play with Maryland online bookies, on safe, legal platforms.
Maryland Online Casinos
Maryland was fairly late to legalize land-based casinos, introducing them only in 2008. However, it now offers excellent casinos with a vast array of games, from popular table games to poker rooms to slots and other electronic terminals. These include the renowned MGM National Harbor and Hollywood Casino.
Unfortunately, Maryland does not have legal online casino gambling — at least not for real money. Many land-based casinos in other states, such as the popular Atlantic City casinos, have their own online platforms where players can play real bets from home. So far there are no legal Maryland online gambling sites like this. Likewise, there are no legitimate Maryland online bookies.
Online State Lottery in Maryland
Maryland has a robust lottery with lots of different draw games, scratchers and keno. It is regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. This organization makes sure the games remain fair, and they help distribute the earnings of the lotto so the state can use the money for various public projects.
Interested players can buy tickets at vending machines or kiosks. You can quickly check results online on the Maryland Lotto website, which is attractive and very easy to navigate. The lotto also has three apps which let you scan tickets, look at past drawings, and watch live keno games. Unfortunately, they do not allow you to buy tickets online, so there is no legal online state lotto.
Off Track Horse Betting in Maryland
Sports betting fans will be happy to know that there is an alternative available in Maryland at the moment, and that is horse betting! Maryland is very well-known for its five pristine racetracks, including the famous Pimlico course, the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
Moreover, you can bet at these racetracks or off track! Online horse betting apps make it easy, quick and safe to place your bets and keep up with all of the latest races. With five tracks and races constantly happening, there is plenty to stay engaged with in Maryland.
What Would Maryland’s Legal Sports Betting Market Look Like?
The nice thing about the current situation with Maryland is that we have a pretty good idea of what legalized sports betting would look like in the state. That is because the MD Senate recently looked at a bill that outlined all of the terms of sports betting in great detail. Ultimately, this bill was stripped down, but passed into law, which means that these terms will be decided on by lawmakers later. It is just a matter of time before betting is allowed in person and on the best online betting sites.
The original bill said that sports betting would be allowed at four of Maryland’s land-based casinos and three racetracks. They also wanted a partnership with the Washington Redskins that may allow betting at the stadium. The bill outlined possible tax rates and fees at 25% for simulcast facilities and 20% for others.
Betting would be allowed for all major league sports like MLB and NFL, but not for college sports. If residents vote in support of sports betting, Maryland sports betting sites can develop in earnest, and we can recommend our best Maryland online sportsbooks to you as well!
Final Thoughts
Though it may feel like a slow process, things are certainly changing for the better when it comes to sports betting in Maryland. With the processing of SB 4, we are likely to see legal betting, including Maryland sports betting sites, as soon as early 2021. All that remains is for MD voters to pass the bill in the November 2020 election. Then lawmakers will then work out details and make sure the market is regulated by the appropriate gambling authority in the state, so that it is safe for all consumers.
In the meantime, Maryland residents have plenty of fun and legal options for betting, including daily fantasy sports with FanDuel and other providers, as well as online horse betting, and in-person play at casinos and on lottery tickets. This page will change should new laws be introduced that transform Maryland into one of the new legal betting states
Frequently Asked Questions
By now you understand that Maryland sports betting sites are not yet legal and legitimate, but the tide is turning and legalized sports betting will come to the state soon. Still, you may have further questions or concerns about the future of sportsbooks in the state and how to get involved in online betting now. Read on for our most commonly asked questions on this topic.
Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Maryland?
Online gambling and sports betting is not legal in Maryland right now. However, that is swiftly changing since the passing of SB 4, which will put a voter referendum on the upcoming November 2020 election. MD voters will get to decide the fate of sports betting for themselves. So hold tight for NFL and other sports betting.
What is the Maryland legal gambling age?
The legal gambling age in Maryland is 21 for playing at tables or slots at a land-based casino (there is no online casino platform yet in Maryland). However, the age is 18 for all other forms of betting, including on horse races at any of their five popular tracks, and on daily fantasy sports and lottery tickets. When sports betting is legalized, the legal age will be 21 according to state law.
Are unlicensed bookmaker sites safe?
No, unlicensed bookmaker sites are not safe. There are plenty of these that claim to be open and legitimate to players within Maryland and other states where sports betting has not been legalized, but be careful. They are not legitimate and do not offer any player protection. However, MD does offer other betting options, like playing in person at its wonderful casinos.
Can I use off-shore or out-of-state internet betting sites to bet?
Technically players can use off-short or out-of-state internet betting sites, but if these sites accept illegal players — i.e. players from a market that is not yet legalized, like Maryland — they are also not playing by the rules and probably not trustworthy. We recommend being wary about these sites. Remember to keep up-to-date with the latest sports betting laws in MD before making any decisions.
Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in Maryland?
Yes, the good news is the FanDuel and DraftKings apps are available to players in Maryland. However, since sports betting is not legal yet, these apps can only be used for daily fantasy sports, and not as a sportsbook. That may of course change in the future and they could be used as Maryland sports betting apps. In the meantime, get a full view of DFS in Maryland.
Can I buy online lottery tickets in Maryland?
No, Maryland does not offer online lotto ticket sales. It does have a legal lottery and three distinct lotto apps, but all of these are only for checking the status of tickets that were bought in-person at kiosks or from certified vending machines.