Maryland
Sports Betting
8 licensed online operators, live since Nov 2022. Operator tax 20% online / 15% retail. Read on for legal status, current operators, and how to bet here.
Our dedicated Maryland site has deeper coverage: full operator reviews, complete timeline, every sportsbook bonus, and state-specific FAQs.
Visit bettinginmd.com →Sports betting in Maryland
Maryland launched online betting in November 2022. The mobile tax rate was raised to 20% in June 2025. January 2026 handle hit $515.7M.
Legal Status
Sports betting is fully legal in Maryland, including both retail and online/mobile wagering. The market is regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. The minimum age to bet is 21, and bettors must be physically located within Maryland state lines to place a wager; residency is not required.
Tax and Regulation
Maryland taxes sports betting operators at 20% online / 15% retail of adjusted gross revenue. The state has 8 licensed sportsbook operators serving the market. The first sportsbooks launched in Nov 2022.
How to Start Betting in Maryland
To place a legal sports bet in Maryland, you must (1) be at least 21 years old, (2) be physically located within the state (verified by geolocation), and (3) create an account with a licensed operator. Most major sportsbooks including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars are available in most legal states. Check the operator list specific to Maryland for the most current options.
Sportsbooks Available in Maryland
The following 8 sportsbooks are currently licensed and active in Maryland. All operators are regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
FanDuel
Washington Commanders partner
Welcome offerGet $300 Back in Bonus Bets, 10 Days of No-Sweat Bets
National · 26 states→DraftKings
Market leader
Welcome offerBet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets + NCAA Tournament Profit Boost
National · 30 states→bet365
International markets
Welcome offerBet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets (Win or Lose)
National · 18 states→BetMGM
MGM National Harbor partner
Welcome offerFirst Bet Offer Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets
National · 26 states→Caesars
Horseshoe Baltimore partner
Welcome offerBet $1, Double Your Winnings Next 10 Bets (up to $25 per token)
National · 26 states→Fanatics
FanCash rewards
Welcome offerBet $5, Get $200 in FanCash Instantly (or up to $1,000 matched)
National · 21 states→BetRivers
Rush Street Interactive
Welcome offer2nd Chance Bet Up to $500 in Bonus Bets
National · 16 states→theScore Bet
Hollywood Casino Perryville partner
Welcome offerBet $10, Get $250 in Bonus Bets Instantly
National · 19 states→Operator comparison · Maryland · sorted by editorial rating
| # | Operator | Rating | Welcome Bonus | Maryland note | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FanDuel Flutter Entertainment plc (NYSE: FLUT) | Get $300 Back in Bonus Bets, 10 Days of No-Sweat Bets | Washington Commanders partner | Read review → | |
| 2 | DraftKings DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ: DKNG) | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets + NCAA Tournament Profit Boost | Market leader | Read review → | |
| 3 | bet365 Hillside (Gaming) ENC (private) | Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets (Win or Lose) | International markets | Read review → | |
| 4 | BetMGM MGM Resorts International & Entain plc (50/50 JV) | First Bet Offer Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets | MGM National Harbor partner | Read review → | |
| 5 | Caesars Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR) | Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Next 10 Bets (up to $25 per token) | Horseshoe Baltimore partner | Read review → | |
| 6 | Fanatics Fanatics Betting & Gaming | Bet $5, Get $200 in FanCash Instantly (or up to $1,000 matched) | FanCash rewards | Read review → | |
| 7 | BetRivers Rush Street Interactive (NYSE: RSI) | 2nd Chance Bet Up to $500 in Bonus Bets | Rush Street Interactive | Read review → | |
| 8 | theScore Bet PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ: PENN) | Bet $10, Get $250 in Bonus Bets Instantly | Hollywood Casino Perryville partner | Read review → |
All operators above are licensed by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency and accept bets only from inside Maryland state lines (verified by geolocation). Tax rate: 20% online / 15% retail. Minimum age: 21. See where Maryland's sports betting tax revenue actually goes →
Best sportsbook in Maryland → Compare Maryland welcome bonuses →
Maryland Operator Comparison · Who Wins What
Five decision axes across the top 5 licensed operators in Maryland. We compute the winner per axis from operator metadata (rating, bonus dollar amount, app store rating, payout speed, payment-method count). Use this as a shortcut when you want one operator for one specific reason.
- Editor's pick Best overall ratingFanDuelRating 4.8 / 5
- Biggest bonus Highest headline dollar valueBetMGM$1,500
- Best mobile app Combined iOS + Android ratingFanDueliOS 4.8 · Android 4.7
- Fastest payout Quickest verified withdrawal pathFanDuelPayPal (under 1 hour)
- Most payment methods Widest deposit / withdrawal rangeFanDuel9 methods
Bottom line for Maryland: FanDuel is our top pick at 4.8 / 5. Polished mobile app and the SGP+ builder, which lets bettors create same-game parlays faster and with better correlation pricing than at competitors. Different bettor profiles may prefer the category-specific winners above (sharp parlay players favor the SGP+ leader; small-stake casuals usually do better with whichever operator carries the lowest rollover requirement).
Need help? You're not alone
Sports betting in Maryland is for adults 21+. If gambling stops being fun, or you're worried about someone else, these Maryland-relevant resources are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Helplines
- 1-800-426-2537 1-800-GAMBLER (National Problem Gambling Helpline) Text "HELPLINE" to 800GAM (800426) ncpg.org ↗
- 1-800-426-2537 Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling mdproblemgambling.com ↗
Warning signs include: chasing losses, betting more than you can afford, hiding bets from family, or feeling anxious when not betting. Self-exclusion programs are available through every licensed Maryland operator and through the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
Pro teams based in Maryland
Maryland is home to 3 major professional teams across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. Click any team for a dedicated betting guide.
How to bet on sports in Maryland
A step-by-step walkthrough for placing your first legal sports bet in Maryland.
- 01
Choose a licensed sportsbook
Maryland has 8 licensed online sportsbooks, with FanDuel the largest national operator. National books like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars use a single account that works across all legal states.
- 02
Verify you are 21+ and a US resident
Sign up online with your legal name, date of birth, address, and last four of your SSN. Operators verify your identity through a soft credit check; this does not affect your credit score.
- 03
Confirm your location is inside the state
Operators use device geolocation to confirm you are physically inside Maryland at the moment of betting. Residency is not required; visitors can bet here. You cannot bet from outside the state, even if your account is registered to a Maryland address.
- 04
Fund your account
Most operators accept ACH bank transfer, debit card, credit card, PayPal, Venmo, online banking, and pay-by-app methods like Apple Pay. Deposits typically clear instantly.
- 05
Place your first bet
Pick a market (moneyline, spread, total, or prop), set your stake, and review the bet slip before submitting. Most operators show your potential payout inline before you confirm.
Maryland Sports Betting Timeline
Key milestones in the Maryland legal sports betting market, from the federal PASPA ruling through launch and ongoing regulatory changes.
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PASPA struck down
Supreme Court ruling in Murphy v. NCAA returned sports betting authority to the states.
-
Maryland launches sports betting
Market goes live under Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
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Maryland launches online sports betting
Maryland mobile betting launched in November 2022 ahead of Thanksgiving and the World Cup. 8 operators went live at 15% tax.
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Maryland raises mobile sports betting tax to 20%
The mobile tax rate jumped from 15% to 20% effective June 2025, putting Maryland among the higher-taxed legal markets. January 2026 handle hit $515.7M.
Maryland Sports Betting FAQ
Is online sports betting legal in Maryland?
Yes, online sports betting is fully legal in Maryland. The market launched in Nov 2022 and is regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. 8 licensed operators currently serve the state.
What is the minimum age to bet on sports in Maryland?
You must be at least 21 years old to place a legal sports bet in Maryland. Operators verify age via SSN and ID checks during account registration.
Which sportsbooks are available in Maryland?
Maryland has 8 licensed online operators including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, and 3 more.
What is the sports betting tax rate in Maryland?
Maryland taxes sports betting operators at 20% online / 15% retail of adjusted gross revenue. This is paid by the operator, not the bettor, but it does affect promo offers and pricing competitiveness.
Do I have to live in Maryland to bet there?
No, residency is not required. You only need to be physically located inside Maryland state lines when placing the bet; the sportsbook verifies your location via geolocation. Visitors from other states can bet in Maryland.
Can I bet on college sports in Maryland?
Yes, Maryland allows betting on college sports including in-state college teams.
Full Maryland sports betting guide
This page gives you the essentials. If you want the complete picture (detailed sportsbook reviews, promo codes, market data, timeline, FAQs specific to Maryland, and more), visit our dedicated Maryland site at bettinginmd.com. It's built specifically for bettors in Maryland with all the local details we couldn't fit here.
Visit bettinginmd.com →Other legal US states
Explore sports betting guides for other US states where wagering is fully legal.