Legal Maryland Betting Sites

21+ and present in MD. Please play responsibly. For help visit mdgamblinghelp.org or call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Maryland Online Sports Betting Apps

Maryland online sports betting launched on November 23^rd, 2022.

Bettors 21 or older can visit licensed online sportsbooks to place wagers on professional and college sports safely and legally. Lawmakers took an open market approach to online sports betting in Maryland, making 60 licenses available and giving bettors no shortage of options.

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency () investigates all online sportsbooks before approving them for licenses to ensure they are reputable, secure, financially stable, and treat customers fairly.

Below is a list of all sports betting apps currently available in Maryland:

• BetMGM Sportsbook
• FanDuel Sportsbook
• Caesars Sportsbook
• Fanatics Sportsbook
• BetRivers Sportsbook
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• ESPN Bet
• BetParx
• Bally Bet
• Crab Sports

Maryland Sports Betting Bonuses

Maryland sports betting bonuses play a significant role in the marketing efforts of licensed operators. Maryland’s open market approach to sports betting has established a competitive operating landscape, and bettors have many promotions to choose from.

Maryland Sportsbook Promo Codes

Maryland Law On Sports Betting Promotions

Maryland law addresses advertising in general and sports betting promotions specifically.

First, general advertising rules prohibit licensed sportsbooks in Maryland from engaging in “false or deceptive advertising.” As a result, promotions and other inducements to bet on sports must be fair and honestly described.

Additionally, Section 36.10.13.41 of Maryland sports betting regulations specifically addresses bonuses and promotional offers. Under state law, licensed sportsbooks must submit the terms and conditions associated with any promotion to the Gaming Control Commission at least seven days in advance for approval.

All sports betting promotions in Maryland must communicate to customers the following information:

• A description of what the promotion offers
• Dates and times the promotion is available
• Who is eligible to participate
• Actions customers must take to receive the offer
• Registration procedures and limitations on participation
• Wagering requirements and limitations by type of wager
• The order in which funds are used for wagering
• Any restrictions on the withdrawal of funds
• Rules of cancellation
• A responsible gambling statement

Regulations also order Maryland online sportsbooks to state the terms and conditions associated with promotions in a “clear and conspicuous manner using plain language.”

Furthermore, Maryland sports betting apps may not cap winnings earned while participating in a promotion once the bettor has met its terms.

How To Bet Online In Maryland

Getting started with online sports betting in Maryland is easy. It begins with choosing an online sportsbook licensed by the Maryland Lottery and concludes with placing your first wager.

Our tips for getting started:

• Choose a licensed betting site
• Visit the sportsbook’s website or download its mobile app to sign up for an account
• Log in to make a deposit with a credit card, debit card, or another method
• Browse the list of open wagers for upcoming games and place your first wager

Depositing At Maryland Sportsbooks

Maryland sports betting regulations () provide sportsbooks considerable freedom in choosing which deposit methods they accept.

As a result, licensed sportsbooks accept a varied mix of payment options. They range from common methods like credit cards and debit cards to payment solutions designed specifically for online sports betting.

First, most Maryland sports betting sites accept the following everyday payment methods:

• Credit and Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are the most widely-accepted credit card brands, although bettors can occasionally fund their accounts with Amex. However, some prominent card issuers automatically block transactions related to online gambling due to chargeback risk. Additionally, some card issuers treat deposits to betting sites as cash advances and assess fees.
• Electronic Banking: ACH and electronic transfers move money straight from the user’s bank account to their online betting account. In most cases, bettors choose their bank from a list and use their online banking login information to initiate the transfer.
• PayNearMe: PayNearMe is the best way to turn physical cash into online betting funds. Customers can choose this option to generate a pay slip they can take to a nearby PayNearMe location, pay with cash, and have the funds ready to use online within 15 minutes.
• PayPal: Customers can use personal PayPal accounts to deposit and withdraw. However, PayPal only allows transactions to betting sites from customers with linked bank accounts – funds uploaded to PayPal via credit cards cannot be used to bet online.
• Venmo: Some Maryland betting apps and websites accept Venmo for fast, convenient deposits.

In addition, some online sportsbooks in Maryland accept payment methods designed for sports betting:

• Play+ Card: Play Plus is one of the most popular betting deposit methods because it provides instant online deposits, fast withdrawals, and sends a physical card to customers for quick access to their cash. In addition, Play+ deposits increase the acceptance rate for credit and debit card deposits to nearly 100%.
• Game On Card: Bettors can purchase Game On gift cards at retail stores in most states where online sports betting is legal. BetMGM, BetRivers, DraftKings, and FanDuel accept Game On cards.

In addition, MD sports wagering rules () require betting sites to keep customers’ payment information secure and their funds stored in segregated accounts to ensure bettors can always withdraw their money.

And finally, licensed MD betting sites must honor withdrawal requests within five days.

The only exception is if the sportsbook has a legitimate reason to believe the customer may have engaged in fraud or other activities that would put the licensee in violation of state law. In that case, the withdrawal delay may only last for a “reasonable investigatory period.”

Maryland Sports Betting Locations

Maryland will eventually be home to dozens of retail sportsbook locations where bettors can place wagers in person.

Permissible sportsbook venues include casinos, race tracks, professional sports stadiums, off-track betting facilities (OTBs), and more qualifying locations.

Maryland Sports Betting Law

The Maryland General Assembly legalized sports betting in April 2021 via HB 940, and Governor Hogan added his signature the following month. The sweeping law authorizes up to 60 licenses for mobile betting operators and up to 30 for retail sportsbooks at various locations.

Key points from the Maryland sports betting law:

• Sportsbooks in Maryland may accept wagers on professional and collegiate sports, the Olympics, and esports
• Maryland betting sites may not offer individual player prop bets on college athletes
• The Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Control Agency () regulates sports betting
• The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission () reviews and approves licenses for entities that wish to offer sports betting in Maryland. SWARC may only issue licenses to operators that have also received MLGCA approval.
• Class A sports betting licenses are reserved for professional sports venues, casinos, and horse race tracks
• Class B licenses go to smaller businesses, off-track betting facilities, bingo operators with at least 200 electronic gaming machines, and the Maryland Fairgrounds
• The Gaming Control Commission may not award Class A licenses to facilities located within a 15-mile radius of other Class A license holders in the counties of Allegany, Cecil, and Worcester
• The Commission may not award Class A licenses to facilities located within a 1.5-mile radius of other Class A or Class B license holders in all other counties
• Maryland sports betting revenue is subject to a 15% state tax
• Sports betting licensing fees in Maryland range from $50,000 to $2,000,000 depending on the type of license

How Sports Betting in Maryland Became Legal

Maryland starting exploring legalizing sports betting in early 2018, before the Supreme Court ruled PASPA unconstitutional. 

A bill introduced in February 2018 called for Maryland to hold a constitutional referendum to legalize sports betting but died before it could become law.

Lawmakers took up the issue again in 2019 by introducing  in February and pre-filing  in September. Neither bill gained enough support to make sports betting legal in Maryland.

Maryland sports betting efforts made significant headway in 2020, with the House and Senate approving  in March. The bill called for Maryland to hold a referendum in the November 2020 election, and Governor Larry Hogan let it pass into law without his signature.

Maryland sports betting proponents scored a significant victory in the election when an overwhelming majority of voters approved , which asked the following question:

Do you approve the expansion of commercial gaming in the State of Maryland to authorize sports and events betting for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education?

[ ] For the Referred Law

[ ] Against the Referred Law

With a final tally of 66.25% for and 33.75% against, the measure easily passed and cleared the way for legal Maryland sports betting.

The General Assembly passed the enabling legislation in April 2021 to legalize retail sportsbooks and online betting in Maryland. Lawmakers stated at the time that they would like to see the first Maryland sportsbooks open later that year.

The Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Commission approved additional in August 2021, clearing one significant hurdle for the launch of sports betting.

Maryland sports betting took another important step forward one month later when the Sports Wagering Application Review Committee (SWARC) began accepting license applications.

In November 2021, SWARC for sports betting.

Regulators turned their attention to online sports betting the following year. Throughout 2021, Maryland approved additional regulations, issued licenses to online sportsbooks, and began authorizing betting sites to go live.

In September 2022, SWARC sped up the launch timeline by to issue licenses on a rolling basis rather than waiting to grant all approvals at once.

The state also moved quickly to approve the additional emergency regulations needed to launch online wagering.

In summary, state officials worked hard to get all the key pieces in place for the first Maryland sports betting apps to launch in time for a big Thanksgiving NFL weekend.

Maryland Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily fantasy sports sites are legal in Maryland and must register with the state to offer real-money DFS contests.

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission regulates fantasy sports, processes requests from operators to offer real-money games, and ensures ongoing compliance with state law.

Multiple daily fantasy sports sites operate in Maryland and numerous niche providers specializing in various formats.

Readers can learn more about fantasy sports in Maryland below:

• Maryland Daily Fantasy Sports Apps

Maryland Horse Racing Betting

Maryland boasts a robust horse racing betting industry as the home of the annual Preakness Stakes and multiple world-class race tracks.

Licensed race tracks, off-track betting facilities, and advance deposit wagering providers (online betting sites) offer legal pari-mutuel wagering on races held in Maryland, nationwide, and abroad.

Maryland horse racing betting sites offer the most convenient alternative for anyone who can’t make it to the nearest track or OTB. Legal Maryland ADWs accept customers 18 or older and comply with all state and federal laws.

Learn more about betting on horse races in Maryland:

• Maryland Horse Racing Betting Sites

Maryland Online Gambling

Maryland law prohibits online casinos and poker sites, but sweepstakes casinos are available in the state.

There are no active measures to legalize online gambling in Maryland, but lawmakers have expressed interest in changing that.

Following extended casino closures and budget shortfalls caused by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers heard testimony from Maryland Lottery director Gordon Medenica on the merits of online gambling and online lottery sales.

Medenica’s testimony focused primarily on iLottery games, but the hearing also briefly discussed online gambling.

Local media outlets have reported Maryland’s land-based casino operators support online gambling depending on how the state approaches the issue. However, two casinos have expressed concerns that legal online gambling could cannibalize brick-and-mortar casino revenue and threaten jobs.

There’s a decent baseline level of support for legal online casinos in Maryland, but the issue is complicated by the fact that legalizing online gambling sites is a constitutional matter that will require majority approval of voters in a statewide referendum.

Recent Maryland Online Gambling Legislation

Maryland online gambling legislation has appeared twice in recent years.

In 2023, lawmakers considered , which would have legalized online casinos in Maryland, subject to a statewide referendum. However, the bill failed to advance in the Senate.

Lawmakers considered three additional bills to legalize Maryland online casinos in 2024, but all ran into roadblocks along the way. The lack of progress in 2024 set back Maryland’s online gambling aspirations until 2026 at the earliest.

The trio of 2024 online gambling bills included:

Maryland Online Lottery

The  does not sell tickets online, but players can initiate subscriptions online for four games:

• Mega Millions
• Powerball
• Multi-Match
• Cash4Life

However, MD Lottery subscriptions are not fully “online” because the only way to pay is via check or money order in the mail. See BettingUSA’s Maryland Lottery page for more information about the lottery’s current offerings and the latest discussions regarding online sales:

• Maryland Online Lottery

Maryland Gambling Laws

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (LGCA) oversees the state lottery and land-based gaming industry. The LGCA issues gaming licenses, monitors casinos for adhering to all state regulations, and ensures that the lottery operates safely and legally.

Criminal law in Maryland prohibits participating in or organizing gambling except when expressly permitted by the state. Section 12-102 states the following:

(a)   A person may not:

(1)   bet, wager, or gamble;

(2)   make or sell a book or pool on the result of a race, contest, or contingency;

(3)   establish, keep, rent, use, or occupy, or knowingly allow to be established, kept, rented, used, or occupied, all or a part of a building, vessel, or place, on land or water, within the State, for the purpose of:

(i)   betting, wagering, or gambling; or

(ii)   making, selling, or buying books or pools on the result of a race, contest, or contingency; or

(4)   receive, become the depository of, record, register, or forward, or propose, agree, or pretend to forward, money or any other thing or consideration of value, to be bet, wagered, or gambled on the result of a race, contest, or contingency.

(b)   A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 6 months and not exceeding 1 year or a fine of not less than $200 and not exceeding $1,000 or both.

Maryland decriminalized social poker games in 2016 with the passage of . Games that meet the following criteria are considered lawful under state law.

• The game cannot involve more than $1,000 during any 24-hour period
• The game cannot occur more than once a week
• The organizers do not advertise the game to the public
• No one may make a profit off the game except as a player

Note: players and organizers should always speak with an attorney for qualified legal advice before attending or hosting a poker game.

HB 127 received considerable support among retirees in Maryland who enjoy poker and mah-jongg in particular.

One 72-year-old resident who supported the bill explained that she was motivated by an instance in which the police raided a $4 mah-jongg game in her retirement community after a resident who had lost $20 called the police to report the game.

Responsible Gambling in Maryland

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) promotes responsible gambling by supporting preventive education and treatment programs.

The MLGCA has also adopted various regulations requiring all Maryland sportsbooks to support responsible gambling. For example, licensed Maryland betting sites must support the state’s self-exclusion program, provide simple methods for customers to establish spending limits, and enact a responsible gambling plan approved by the MLGCA.

In addition, Maryland bettors may use the following resources for information about problem gambling, confidential helplines, and addiction treatment options.

• : Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER; visit the website for live chat support, problem gambling information, a list of free problem gambling counselors, peer support from people who have recovered from gambling addiction, and additional resources
• : Free counselor finder, problem gambling resources, self-assessments, and voluntary exclusion information
• : Assistance finding the right therapist or counselor, information about peer support groups like Gamblers Anonymous, help for the loved ones of problem gamblers; visit the website to submit a help request online; call 410-730-8267 or e-mail for more information
• : Find dozens of Gamblers Anonymous meetings every week throughout the state
• : Find support meetings for anyone affected by someone else’s gambling problem (spouses, family members, friends, etc.)

Maryland Sports Betting and Gambling Self-Exclusion

The MLGCA offers a self-exclusion program covering most forms of gambling and sports betting in Maryland.

Gamblers and sports bettors can register with the (VEP) for at least two years or life for any combination of the following types of gambling:

• Sports Betting and Fantasy Sports: People in this category may not visit retail sportsbooks, use online sports betting sites, or participate in daily fantasy contests online; some MD betting sites restrict self-excluded individuals from all forms of gambling associated with their brands
• Casinos: Self-excluded individuals in this category may not enter Maryland casinos; some casinos extend the exclusion to their retail sportsbooks and mobile wagering platforms
• Maryland Lottery: Individuals in this category may not purchase or play any Maryland Lottery game.
• Bingo Halls: Anyone in this category may not play instant bingo machines at any facility with more than ten instant bingo machines.

People can apply for self-exclusion by filling out a voluntary exclusion form and submitting it in person at:

• Any Maryland casino
• The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Headquarters via appointment only (call 410-230-8798)

Important Maryland self-exclusion points:

• There is no means by which a spouse, family member, or friend can register for self-exclusion on someone else’s behalf – VEP is strictly voluntary.
• Self-exclusion does not end automatically; individuals who select a two-year term may apply to leave the exclusion list after the period ends
• Anyone who has self-excluded faces the risk of criminal trespassing charges if found inside a casino, sportsbook, or other restricted as determined by their self-exclusion agreement
• Some Maryland casinos restrict excluded patrons from their facilities in all states

Maryland Sports Betting FAQ