Ten sportsbooks received the go-ahead to offer Maryland residents legal online gambling options by the end of this year, according to meeting notes from the Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) in late October.
The next step before these 10 companies can legally offer sports betting in Maryland is final approval at the SWARC’s November 21 meeting. Then, after an initial test period ends - which has not yet been determined by the governing body - sportsbooks will be able to offer residents an online betting option.
What should Maryland bettors look for in choosing a future sportsbook out of the 10 companies initially offering online sports betting? Individuals should consider these four aspects when Maryland permits mobile betting later this year.
Having at least 10 different companies to choose from allows bettors to compare odds for each sporting event before placing their wagers. The ability to shop lines on a game-by-game basis is important for Maryland bettors, helping residents that make successful selections earn higher payouts.
For example, one sportsbook offers the Baltimore Ravens at -200 odds for the moneyline payout (meaning that a $200 bet would yield a $100 profit) against the Cincinnati Bengals in their January 8, 2023 game. Another sportsbook may offer Baltimore at -150 odds for the same game, allowing bettors to cash in an additional $33.33 off the same $100 successful wager.
What are Pre-Registration Bonus Offers?
Maryland residents can expect to be bombarded over the next two months with advertisements offering new sign-up bonuses. While this can be overwhelming, bettors can rake in huge profits quickly with these promotions during this one-time windfall.
While every sportsbook will offer Maryland customers a sign-up bonus, choosing the one that benefits individuals the most is important. Multiple offers will show a “risk-free” bet, meaning that bettors will receive matching deposits of either cash or credits to offset a losing bet during this promotion.
Knowing the rules for each promotion is important as credits can expire within certain restricted time frames, meaning Maryland residents will need to strategize how to use their free promotional credits to turn those successful wagers into cash.
One exciting offer to consider is from DraftKings as the company is granting Maryland residents a $200 pre-registration bonus in free bets for signing up prior to the launch of live online betting. DraftKings will convey the free bets once Maryland online gaming does go live, giving individuals an opportunity to review their sports betting strategy and results before placing their first bet.
Why Bettors Should Explore DraftKings
Individuals looking for a trusted sportsbook should explore what makes DraftKings different from the rest of the companies offering sports betting in Maryland.
DraftKings is one of America’s largest sportsbooks, offering legalized sports betting in every state where it is permissible. The company launched as a daily fantasy sports platform in 2012 and now offers the opportunity to bet on 15 professional sports across eight countries.
DraftKings is offering first-time registrants $200 in free bets once Maryland activates their online gaming option. This one-time promotion will help residents launch their betting pastime or career.
DraftKings Pre-Registration Process
To earn the $200 bonus from DraftKings, Maryland residents need to pre-register their accounts. The process is relatively simple and does not require the use of a promo code to secure the bonus.
To pre-register, follow the steps below:
- Click here to go to the DraftKings Maryland registration page.
- Fill out the information requested by DraftKings.
- Create an account by selecting inputting an email address and choosing a password.
- Allow the mobile app to confirm the location of the individual.
Once Maryland permits online betting to start, DraftKings will activate their bonus. Individuals will receive eight free $25 bets on launch day to use on any sporting event. With an expected launch date near New Year's Day, bettors will be able to wager on pro teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Wizards, and Washington Capitals as well as the Maryland Terrapins, Navy Midshipmen, and Georgetown Hoyas on the collegiate level.
Additional Promotions for Existing Customers
After reviewing the sign-up bonus structure, another critical aspect of choosing a sportsbook is to review what other promotions the company offers bettors. Multiple companies offer daily promotions for existing customers to turn a profit with boosted odds.
The boosted bets are often parlays, or a series of bets that must all win in order to be a successful wager, that can be placed on the same game or require multiple teams winning. For example, a sportsbook may offer the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals, and Maryland Terrapins all winnings on the same day as a bet, increasing the wager from +300 odds to +400 odds on this three-team parlay. A successful $100 bet in this instance would payout $400 instead of the original $300 without the boost.
Beyond parlay, other companies will offer existing customers the chance to turn $5-10 bets into $200, multiplying earnings by 20x-40x their original value. These promotions often come as credits for bettors that have staggered expiration dates, meaning that individuals would have to return multiple dates throughout the time-restricted credits to earn free bets.
Mobile App And User Experience
Selecting an online sportsbook with an easy-to-use mobile app should also be one part of future Maryland bettors’ decision process. The last thing any individual wants is to mistakenly select a team during the betting process with hard-to-understand or busy and complicated mobile options.
All 10 companies that have registered through Maryland’s SWARC will offer traditional sporting event betting options such as spread, over/under, and moneyline wagers. Casual bettors will recognize these options, but individuals new to betting should familiarize themselves with these need-to-know terms in order to turn betting into a profitable opportunity.
Other companies, however, will also offer in-game microbets on events that do not affect the outcome of the contest. The micro-betting options are often moments within the contest, such as if the Baltimore Orioles’ Anthony Santander will reach base during a specific at-bat against the New York Yankees. These types of bets require advanced mobile apps, and not all companies will be able to offer such opportunities.
