Maryland Sports Betting: Best Legal Sportsbooks

Is sports betting legal in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland voters approved sports betting by referendum in November 2020, and lawmakers passed the implementing law in 2021. Retail sportsbooks opened at casinos in December 2021, and online betting launched on 23 November 2022, just before Thanksgiving. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency regulates the market, and the minimum age is 21.

Licences were awarded through a separate body, the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission, which was tasked with promoting diversity among licence holders. That process took time and is the main reason online betting arrived nearly a year after retail.

Maryland sportsbooks we review

All three sportsbooks we cover are licensed in Maryland: BetMGM, bet365 and BetRivers. BetMGM also has strong local roots through the MGM National Harbor casino in Prince George's County. With several licensed operators, Maryland bettors can compare odds and promotions on every game.

Remote registration is permitted, and geolocation confirms you are in Maryland before every wager. Residents near DC, Virginia, Delaware or Pennsylvania should note that each neighbouring market has its own licence list and rules. Delaware, for example, has only one online sportsbook, and DC allows betting from 18.

College props, taxes and new rules

Maryland directed its sportsbooks to remove player prop bets on college athletes in 2024, and lawmakers have since considered putting that ban into statute along with stronger consumer protections. In 2025 the state raised its tax on online sportsbook revenue from 15% to 20%, with most of the proceeds going to public education. These changes affect operators rather than individual bettors directly, but they can shape the promotions available.

Winnings are taxable income at state and federal level, and Maryland may withhold tax on larger payouts.

Maryland's law also allows retail sportsbooks beyond casinos, including at stadiums and other licensed venues. Casinos such as MGM National Harbor, Horseshoe Baltimore and Maryland Live! in Arundel Mills host the largest counters, and fans heading to Ravens or Orioles games can bet in person near the stadiums in Baltimore.

Ravens, Orioles and responsible play

The Ravens and Orioles anchor Baltimore's sporting life, while the Maryland Terrapins draw big crowds in College Park. Many suburban Marylanders also follow Washington's teams, and the Preakness Stakes keeps Maryland on the horse racing calendar.

The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling provides support, and you can call 1-800-GAMBLER at any time. Maryland's voluntary exclusion programme covers both casinos and online sportsbooks.