Best Betting Sites in Maryland

Maryland Sports Betting

Online sports betting in the US has been growing in popularity for several years. So, it was only a matter of time before Maryland moved to join the trend. Undeniably, improvements to the internet have made things a lot easier. This is not only in the sports betting sphere but in any other online venture too. Regardless of where you are in the world, nowadays you can likely access online betting services. If you are in Maryland, you’ll now have multiple betting options at your disposal.

Home to over six million people, Maryland presents a huge potential client base for bookies. As such, after the legalization of online sports betting in the state, several bookmakers have entered the online MD sports betting market. However, if you are thinking of taking part, you must be 21 years or older. Read on for more details about betting in Maryland.

History Of Sports Betting in Maryland

Sports betting in Maryland has only been legal since early December 2021. Governor Larry Hogan placed the first legal sports bet in the state. This marked the end of a prolonged battle to legalize MD sports betting. Notably, this battle began way earlier than this.

In November 2020, voters in Maryland approved the idea of allowing sports betting within the state lines. In early 2021, the state’s General Assembly passed a bill that set out a framework for the sports betting industry. The first sportsbooks were approved at MGM National Harbour, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, and Perryville’s Hollywood Casino, among others. However, these betting sites only allowed in-person bets.

Online betting MD isn’t up yet. However, plans are already underway to ensure online coverage in the industry. And when this happens, you can trust us to keep you in the loop.

Popular Sports and Leagues to Bet On In Maryland

Maryland is home to amazing sports games, and bettors will definitely love it here. By legalizing sports gaming, the state has opened its doors for more games and leagues. Currently, you can place bets on the following sports:

Horse Racing

The Preakness Stakes, one of the most prestigious horse racing events, is hosted in Maryland. It presents great opportunities for bettors since they can place wagers every season.

NFL

Teams like the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Ravens play home games in Maryland. With several land-based sportsbooks, trying your luck in NFL games is easy.

NCAA

MD is well represented in college sports, with the Maryland Terrapins being a popular choice for betting. On the football side of things, there are opportunities as well since Army-Navy College football always draws unavoidable wagering interest.

MLB

If you are a baseball fan, it will please you to know that several Maryland betting sites accept wagers on MLB matches.

NBA and NHL

Even if there are no MD NBA or NHL teams, sportsbooks here accept wagers for these leagues.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

DFS are the oldest sports games to be legal in Maryland. They are also highly regulated by the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission. So, now being available for sports betting goes without saying.

Best Maryland Betting Sites

Maryland is home to a huge number of sports fans. Many betting sites are gradually joining the state’s sports betting industry. And once online betting MD is legal, there will be an overwhelming number of betting sites. Unfortunately, not all sites will be best for you.

We can’t deny the fact that in a market full of reliable sports betting sites, not all live up to their word. Some may seem perfect, offering irresistible betting options and bonuses but what awaits you could be a disaster. We are not saying this to scare you, rather to show you that choosing the best Maryland betting sites isn’t always easy.

Fortunately, our goal here is to help you choose the best sports betting platform.

How We Rank the Best Maryland Betting Sites

To rank and recommend the best Maryland betting sites, we look at several factors, some of which demand actual testing. Obviously, a single test may not show the full picture. So, we carefully scrutinize every key area of a sports betting site to make sure that we only recommend the best. Our ranking criteria involves:

Licensing and Regulation

Any MD sports betting site must have a valid license from the state’s licensing authority. A license is the first indicator of a bookie’s legitimacy. Currently, the Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission is tasked with awarding these licenses. But previously, the licensing body was the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.

Safety and Security

Whether it’s a land-based or an online sportsbook, you need to be sure of your security. As such, we look at a bookie’s security protocols to make sure that once you join them, your personal information will always be kept private and confidential.

Trust and Reputation

What other sports bettors say about a betting site is important. It helps us establish whether the site is trustworthy or not. Even so, we always verify the credibility of user reviews to ensure that they are true.

Number and Variety of Sports Available

If a betting site can get you all the sports you desire to bet on, it’ll definitely rank better than the rest.

Maryland Sports Betting Laws and Regulations

After legalizing sports betting in Maryland, the state put several laws in place to oversee the industry. The body tasked with monitoring all this is the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA). Based on the new rules, sportsbooks operators must acquire permits before opening their doors for business.

The permits can either be Class A or Class B, with the former being given to major sports betting operators and video lottery franchises. The second class of licenses is issued for qualifying horse racing, simulcast betting, and commercial bingo activities. Generally, class B licenses are issued to businesses that are not directly linked to the sports betting industry. Even so, the number of such licenses in the whole state can’t exceed 30.

Regarding the rules around online betting MD, things aren’t quite clear. However, all online Maryland betting sites will have to partner with a local retail business before launching their websites and mobile apps.

Responsible Gambling and Self-Exclusion

Considering that sports betting is a thriving industry in Maryland, responsible gambling is a source of concern. Excitingly, the state has put in place several organizations and programs to help manage problem gambling. These include:

• The Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling
• The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling

As well as responsible gambling organizations, the state also provides self-exclusion options for sports bettors. If you feel like things are getting out of control, you can easily take a break and resume sometime later. But remember, you won’t be admitted to any sports betting premises while on self-exclusion.

Summary

In conclusion, despite being new, the MD sports betting industry is highly regarded. There is the freedom to bet on whichever sports you desire. Talking of sports, Maryland betting sites provide a range of sports and leagues to bet on. The likes of horse racing, daily fantasy sports, MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL are available for wagering.

However, if you prefer online betting, you need to be patient for a little while longer. Online betting MD isn’t legal yet, but plans are underway to unveil it in the state. Interestingly, it’s no longer a matter of ‘will’, but ‘when’. And, as online sports betting in the state becomes legal, you’ll soon be able to choose the best Maryland betting site for you.