Author:
Jens Pfaff
Last Updated:
29/04/2022
Table of Content
- Who is this article suited for? Anyone interested in Maryland sportsbooks of course!
- The legal history of Maryland sports betting – progress in 2022
- Editor’s recommendation – the best Maryland sportsbooks
- Five tips for a fair and secure experience with Maryland sportsbooks
- What we look for when evaluating operators for Maryland users – our criteria
- Finding the right operator for you – an individualized experience at GamblingGuy.com
- Maryland sports betting conclusion – it’s time to get started
- Maryland sports betting FAQ
Who is this article suited for? Anyone interested in Maryland sportsbooks of course!
Basically, if you currently reside in Maryland, are aged 21 or over and are in any way interested in betting on sports in the state, then this article is definitely for you. It doesn’t matter if you’re completely new to the concept of sports betting or an experienced bettor, the information contained within this article is designed to help out everyone.
As is the case with all states, the sports betting rules, regulations and the timeline for the implementation of them require you to keep yourself informed here in Maryland. One of our main aims here at GamblingGuy.com is to keep you well up to date with the regulatory changes and the launch dates of various sports betting outlets in the Old Line State.
We’re also aware that every gambler is different though, and that you each have individual requirements when it comes to sports betting. That’s why we have created our operator comparison tool, which is designed to help each of our readers to find their ideal sports betting outlet in Maryland. This comparison tool is made up of site and bonus reviews, and you can start off by checking out our FanDuel Maryland sportsbook promo review right here. Additionally, we’ll also let you know about all of the sports betting bonuses available in Maryland for May 2022.
The legal history of Maryland sports betting – progress in 2022
November 2020 – the vote
As was previously the case in most US states, sports betting in Maryland, save for horse racing, had been illegal for over a century. However that all changed back in November 2020, when the issue of legalizing sports betting was put to a public vote and passed unanimously. As part of the legislative campaign, the taxes raised from sports betting in the Free State are used to fund vital state services, with most of the money going towards education.
April 2021 – the bill is passed
Although the vote in favor of legalizing sports betting in Maryland was successful in November 2020, it took almost six months before the bill was finally passed in April 2021. We then had to wait a further three months, until July 2021, before the new sports betting legislation was signed into law by the governor.
December 2021 – the first retail sportsbook opened
Despite the law being put into practice in July 2021, Maryland residents then had to wait until December 2021 before the first retail sportsbook was finally launched. This came as something of a disappointment, as it meant that football fans missed out on the majority of the NFL season. The first retail sportsbook to open was a BetMGM sportsbook located inside the MGM National Harbour casino resort.
The wait for online sports betting
While the retail sports betting sector is now up and running and accessible for Maryland residents aged 21 and over, we’re still waiting on the first online sportsbook to launch. This is expected in the fall of 2022 at the earliest, but Maryland bettors may have to wait until some time closer to the end of the year. However, you can already start to get excited and take a look at what the DraftKings Maryland sportsbook bonus for the launch date might look like.
Editor’s recommendation – the best Maryland sportsbooks
As we mentioned above, only retail sports betting remains an option for Maryland bettors in May 2022. With that being said though, online sports betting is definitely on the horizon before the end of the year – and we already know at least some of the sportsbooks that will be licensed to go live on the launch date.
When it does arrive, BetMGM will most likely be the first to launch, just as it was the first brand to launch a retail sportsbook. FanDuel will most likely join them as well, as they already have a live fantasy sports platform in the Old Line State, as well as a retail sportsbook at the Live! Casino & Hotel in Hannover.
BetMGM Sportsbook – the best in class
Our editor’s recommendation for the best Maryland sportsbooks is BetMGM. Since first launching its platform in New Jersey, BetMGM has gone on to expand into multiple US states. The sports betting platform is slick, classy and extremely safe. Most importantly, they have a great range of sports betting markets and competitive odds in all areas. The BetMGM VIP and rewards program is interlinked with the land-based MGM casino resorts, including the MGM National Harbour in Maryland. You can already check out our BetMGM Maryland sportsbook review for a sneak peek of what’s to come.
100% up to $1000
Risk-Free Bet
|
T&Cs apply, 18+
Five tips for a fair and secure experience with Maryland sportsbooks
As we’ve already mentioned, Maryland sports betting is currently only available in person at retail outlets located inside casino resorts. However, online sports betting is on the very near horizon, and we want to prepare you as best we can for the launch. That’s why below we have provided you with our top tips for having a fair and secure experience when betting online in the Free State.
What we look for when evaluating operators for Maryland users – our criteria
Whether it’s Maryland sports betting or new online casinos in Pennsylvania, our dedicated team of gambling experts always strives to create the best quality reviews. That way, we are able to recommend only the best quality betting sites to you. Below, we’ve run you through the most important criteria that we look for in each and every betting site that we rate here at GamblingGuy.com.
Bonus offer
Every single online betting operator in the state will offer some form of welcome bonus. Our job is to read the terms and conditions and test out the bonus ourselves to see if it truly is valuable. By using the bonus ourselves, we’re able to give you a true account of how it works in reality.
Usability, look and feel
This is the stage where we test out the actual betting site itself and the mobile app, if one is available. Firstly, we take a look at the first impressions the site gives us in terms of overall look and design. We then test out the functionality to see if it is easy to navigate and place a bet etc.
Payments
How you fund your Maryland sports betting account, and how you are able to withdraw your winnings, is very important. As well as looking for a diverse range of payment options, we also want to make sure the fees are low and the processing times are quick. Deposits will almost always be instant, but finding quick withdrawals can be trickier.
Customer support
Of course, if you are using one of the best available Maryland sportsbooks, you should encounter very few issues. However, if and when you do encounter any problems, it’s vitally important that you are able to easily and quickly reach a helpful customer service team in order to resolve them as quickly as possible. Ideally, we want to see 24/7 customer service available via email, live chat and phone. In 2022, a strong social media presence is also essential.
License and security
As we mentioned in our top tips above, the first thing that needs to be checked on any betting site is that it has a valid license to operate in the state in question. Additionally, the site has to be safe, secure and have everything possible in place to protect your data and funds from hackers and theft.
Rewards and loyalty
While all betting sites will likely offer a welcome bonus for new customers that’s at least half-decent, the best Maryland sports betting sites will take care of their existing customers as well. A great VIP and rewards program is essential in our eyes. Ideally, we like to see operators link their rewards program with their land-based casino resorts.
Our top 5 rated sportsbooks
1.
First Bet Insurance
Caesars Sport Sports Bonus
up to $1100 First Bet Insurance
Caesars Sport Review
*****
T&Cs apply, 18+
Highlights
2.
100% up to
$1000
FanDuel Sport Sports Bonus
100% up to $1000
FanDuel Sport Review
*****
T&Cs apply, 18+
Highlights
3.
20% up to
$1000
DraftKings Sport Sports Bonus
20% up to $1000
DraftKings Sport Review
*****
T&Cs apply, 18+
Highlights
4.
100% up to
$250
BetRivers.com Sports Bonus
100% up to $250
BetRivers.com Review
*****
T&Cs apply, 18+
Highlights
Finding the right operator for you – an individualized experience at GamblingGuy.com
Earlier on in this article, we gave you our editor’s recommendation for the best Maryland sports betting site. However, here at GamblingGuy.com our primary aim is to deliver a more individualized experience. We know that every gambler is different when it comes to what they want to get out of their gambling experience. That’s why we want to help you to find a sports betting site that is exactly suited to your particular needs.
Deciding what matters to you
You might not even know it yet, but there could be an operator out there that has a feature that is suited to something you are looking for – no matter how specific. For example, if you are constantly betting on the move, then an operator with a good betting app and mobile-optimized website is absolutely essential. If you work unsociable hours and are likely to be betting at night, then 24/7 customer service should be a must-have.
For those of you who like to follow the action of the game that you’ve bet on, then you will want to find an operator with good live streaming rights. These are just some examples of things that you should consider before using our comparison tool to find your ideal betting site here in Maryland.
How our reviews help you
You might be asking, how can our Maryland sports betting comparison tool help you to find exactly what you’re looking for? It’s pretty simple really – our reviews have been constructed in such a way that we rate operators based on a number of different categories. We also aim to highlight the USPs and special features of each site. As a result, you are able to find sites that rate highly in the areas that matter to you, as well as those that have the special features that you are looking for.
Maryland sports betting conclusion – it’s time to get started
Retail sports betting is already alive and kicking in Maryland in 2022, and online sportsbooks are on their way. Just remember that the best way to get the most out of your sports betting experience in any state is to use the comparison tools and betting guides right here at GamblingGuy.com. We may have almost reached the end of this article, but the journey is only just beginning. So go on ahead and explore the rest of our site to start your online betting journey the right way!
Bonuses to get you started
1.
First Bet Insurance
Bonus Code
****** Caesars Sport Bonus Code
*****
T&Cs apply, 18+
Bonus Details
Type:
Risk-Free Bet
Cashable:
no
Requirements (WR):
1x Deposit
2.
100% up to
$1000
Bonus Code
****** FanDuel Sport Bonus Code
*****
T&Cs apply, 18+
Bonus Details
Type:
Risk-Free Bet
Cashable:
no
Requirements (WR):
1x Deposit
3.
20% up to
$1000
Bonus Code
****** DraftKings Sport Bonus Code
*****
T&Cs apply, 18+
Bonus Details
Type:
Deposit Bonus
Cashable:
yes
Requirements (WR):
25x Bonus
4.
100% up to
$250
Bonus Code
****** BetRivers.com Bonus Code
*****
T&Cs apply, 18+
Bonus Details
Type:
Deposit Bonus
Cashable:
yes
Requirements (WR):
1x Bonus
5.
100% up to
$1000
Bonus Code
****** BetMGM Bonus Code
*****
T&Cs apply, 18+
Bonus Details
Type:
Risk-Free Bet
Cashable:
no
Requirements (WR):
1x Bonus
