The status of sports betting in Maryland

The modern gaming industry is more diverse than ever, and esports is a great example of this. Esports involves pro gamers battling it out on titles like CS:GO in huge tournaments that can be held online or offline. With massive amounts of prize money for winning teams and a loyal global audience, esports is one of the most vibrant parts of the gaming industry.

Many people who follow esports also like to place bets on tournaments, so esports is now making waves in sports betting. Of course, this is only possible in states where betting on sports is legal. Below we discuss the status of sports betting for gamers and bettors in Maryland:  

Is sports betting in Maryland legal?

Sports betting at online and retail locations is 100% legal in the Old Line state. In 2020, a referendum on sports betting was held in the state and Maryland residents voted in favor of legalizing it. 

The necessary documents were drawn up and Governor Lawrence Hogan Jr signed HB 940 into law in May 2021. In December 2021, retail sports betting began in Maryland, while online sports betting was launched in November 2022. 

There are plenty of sportsbooks to bet with online in the state and, as shown at https://www.wsn.com/bonuses/maryland/, many have generous bonuses to claim. There is also a decent selection of land-based retail locations to bet at.

Esports betting is legal in Maryland, so gamers can place bets on the top Dota 2 and Valorant tournaments.

How does Maryland sports betting stack up against neighboring states?

The sports betting sector in Maryland has been incredibly successful since launching. This is especially true for online betting, which is the most popular way for residents to wager on the biggest events. 

To get a proper feel for how sports betting is doing in the state though, it pays to look at the overall US sports handle figures for 2023 to see how Maryland performed compared to its close neighbors in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia.

Sports betting handles in 2023

Pennsylvania: $7,682,694,84

Virginia: $5,590,022,862 

Maryland: $4,617,323,160 

West Virginia: $465,799,851

Delaware: $65,326,808 

As the stats show, Maryland is currently in the middle of the pack. The state’s 2023 sports betting handle outstripped both Delaware and West Virginia but lagged behind Pennsylvania and Virginia. 

It’s no surprise to see Pennsylvania doing better overall, as it has a more established sports betting market and a far bigger population. Virginia also has a bigger population, which may explain why it generated a larger sports betting handle than Maryland in 2023.

Which are the best sportsbooks in Maryland?

To get the most from betting on sports in this state, you need to sign up with one of the best betting sites. 

BetMGM is one name which stands out and is a well-known, respected brand. Their welcome bonus for new players offers the chance to claim thousands in bonus bets and they also run some very good promos for existing users. With a large range of sports to bet on and a decent range of markets, this is one option to consider carefully. 

Caesars Sportsbook is another iconic sports betting brand to register with in Maryland. They put great emphasis on high level customer support and use the latest data encryption software to protect users. The odds here are generally competitive and they also offer a superb mobile betting experience.

FanDuel also rates highly when considering sportsbooks in this state. They have an easy-to-use site with a good range of sports to bet on and a variety of secure payment options. The range of bonus offers for current users at FanDuel is another standout feature of this platform. 

What next for sports betting in Maryland?

Although it’s never easy to predict the future, we expect that Maryland’s sports betting market will continue to grow. Considering the sports betting handle generated in 2023 and the numbers recorded for 2024 so far, this seems to be inevitable. In September 2024, sports betting in Maryland generated a record $9.4m, which dwarfed the amount made in September 2023.

As a result of figures like this and the obsession with sports in Maryland, we can confidently project growth for its sports betting industry. This will be a positive thing for all state residents, as it should result in more jobs and more money being paid in taxes to improve the lives of local people. 

Sports betting in Maryland: An overview

Sports betting is totally legal in Maryland both online and at retail locations. The sports betting market in the state is growing quickly and it is expected to continue to grow in the future. This will certainly be the case if even more safe, secure sportsbooks to wager with open in the state moving forward.