Legal sports betting in Maryland took a massive step forward in March of this year when the House officially passed a bill along to the state Senate for final approval. We will continue to track what this means for MD residents eagerly awaiting legal sports betting options.
The proposed bill is relatively straightforward and legal online sports betting should arrive in MD by the start of the 2021 NFL season. It allows for in-person betting at established casinos and racetracks, as well as at stadiums for the Ravens, Orioles, and Washington Football Team. Additionally, the bill allows for 10 more in-person sportsbook licenses, and 15 total online and mobile sportsbook licenses. The proposed tax rate in this bill is set to 15%, with no information provided on the annual license fee.
It will be great news for Maryland sports bettors if this is how the final bill shakes out. While the 15% tax rate is on the higher side of current US sports betting revenue tax rates, so long as the annual licensing fee is not outrageous, it should not be a deterrent for sportsbooks looking to enter the market.
After passing the legislation necessary to legalize sports betting in the state, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan then needed to sign the legislation into law. This happened on May 18th, with an effective date of July 1st.
This allows the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control plenty of time to get the rules and regulations needed in place prior to the NFL's September 9 start date.
The next big question is which sportsbooks will enter the Maryland sports betting market first? Some big partnerships and agreements are already in place, giving us an idea of what betting apps MD residents can expect to use once betting is officially live.
- BetMGM Partners with the Baltimore Ravens - On the same day Governor Hogan signed sports betting into law, BetMGM announced an agreement to become the Baltimore Ravens' official sports betting partner. At the moment, this agreement does not include plans for a sportsbook in the M&T stadium.
- PointsBet Obtains License from Riverboat on the Potomac - PointsBet has already obtained one of the state's covented licenses by reaching an agreement with the Riverboat on the Potomac.
- FanDuel and DraftKings Spend Big in Maryland - It was reported in late 2020 that FanDuel and DraftKings spent $750,000 to help legalize sports betting in Maryland. Additionally, both companies gained access to the state for their DFS apps with the passing of legislation legalizing betting earlier this year. Clearly both sportsbooks will be live in MD by the start of the 2021 NFL season.
- William Hill - While William Hill has not yet obtained a license to operate in Maryland, their aggressive approach to Washington DC is a good sign the sportsbook will make a major push in MD as well. William Hill opened a sportsbook in Capital One Arena, the first-ever sportsbook to operate in a professional sports venue.
Any time a new us sports betting market opens up there are plenty of questions and Maryland is no exception. Bettors in the state want to know the start date, what sportsbooks will be available, what rules will apply, and more.
We address the majority of these questions and concerns in the FAQ section below.
Is sports betting legal in MD?
Yes, sports betting was officially signed into law in May of 2021 with an official start date expected sometime during the 2021 NFL season.
If sports betting is legal, why is it not live yet?
The final remaining hurdle for legal sports betting in MD is setting the rules and regulations that will apply to sportsbooks licensed to operate in the state. This process is set to take place in July, setting a potential start date sometime before the end of 2021.
How many sportsbook licenses are available in Maryland?
Maryland set up two different types of sportsbook licenses. The first, Class A licenses, will provide 10 licenses to the state's six casinos, three sports stadiums, and another to the Maryland Jockey Club. The second type of license, Class B licenses, are open for competitive bidding amongst all Maryland businesses with a physical location.
Can you bet on college sports in Maryland?
Yes, Maryland bettors will be able to bet on college sports in the state. The only question that remains here, and we should have an answer in early July, is if betting on Maryland colleges and universities will be allowed. DC elected to not allow betting on college games that take place in the district, while Arizona recently elected to ban only prop betting on in-state college teams.
What sportsbook apps will be available in MD for 2021?
We can say for certain that PointsBet and BetMGM will be live once sports betting officially begins in MD. Both sportsbooks already have agreements in place for a license. Additionally, FanDuel, DraftKings, and William Hill played an integral role to bringing legal sports betting to the state so it appears all three seem likely to be licensed by the start of the 2021 NFL season.
What is the minimum age to bet in Maryland?
The legal gambling age in Maryland is 21. Anyone 18 or older can gamble through the state's lottery or on horse racing. Sports betting, casinos, and poker rooms have a minimum age requirement of 21.
