Where to find the best MD betting sites and online sportsbooks?
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 interested in the topic of Maryland online gambling.
As is the case with all states, the sports betting rules, regulations, and the timeline for their 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, and you each have individual requirements for sports betting. That’s why we have created our operator comparison tool, designed to help each of our readers find their ideal sports betting outlet in Maryland. This comparison tool comprises site and bonus reviews, and you can start by checking out our FanDuel Maryland sportsbook promo review right here. We’ll also let you know about all the sports betting bonuses available in Maryland for December 2023.
The legal history of Maryland sports betting – progress in 2023
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 toward 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 governor signed the new sports betting legislation into law.
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 sometime 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 December 2023. 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 and 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 wide range of sports betting markets and competitive odds. 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.
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Five tips for a fair and secure experience with Maryland sportsbooks
As we’ve already mentioned, Maryland sports betting is only available in person at retail outlets 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.
In the US, all operators must have a valid license to operate in any given legal online gambling state – and things are no different when it comes to Maryland sports betting. For example, the best PA sportsbooks have to be licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). In Maryland, it is the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency who are responsible for licensing and regulation. So the first thing that you need to do when you land on any US sports betting site is checked for this license.
Once you’re 100% sure that the site is legal, you then want to check that it is both safe and secure. Firstly, you want to check that transactions are encrypted with SSL technology or something similar. You then need to look for additional security software, including firewall technology. When it comes to your account details, a two-factor authentication login system is ideal, alongside the requirement for a secure password – a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.
Here at GamblingGuy.com, our experts will always take you through the main terms and conditions of any gambling site. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t also read through them carefully yourself. We know that reading the small print is boring, but it’s also extremely important, especially when it comes to Maryland sports betting. Terms and conditions can be subject to frequent and last-minute changes, so it’s best to take action and keep on top of things yourself. That way, you can know exactly what you’re getting into before creating your online sports betting account.
Probably the best way to find a legit and high-quality betting site is to use the expert reviews found within our comparison tool here at GamblingGuy.com. Our experts rate and review all available betting sites in each state fairly and honestly. Our aim is to help each of our readers to find their ideal betting sites – something that we will explain for you in more detail a little later on. We also have separate reviews dedicated to the best online betting bonuses in each legal US gambling state.
While our expert reviews here at GamblingGuy.com are definitely essential reading for any budding bettor in Maryland, we also believe it’s important to check our site reviews from existing users. In our opinion, that is the best way to get a true feel of how the site works for bettors who set out looking for a similar experience to yourself. A Maryland sports betting site that has been rated good by both the experts and existing users is bound to be decent.
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 we look for in 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 a welcome bonus. Our job is to read the terms and conditions and test the bonus ourselves to see if it is truly 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, place a bet, etc.
Payments
How you fund your Maryland sports betting account and how you are able to withdraw your winnings are 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 encounter any problems, it’s vitally important that you can easily and quickly reach a helpful customer service team to resolve them as quickly as possible. Ideally, we want to see 24/7 customer service available via email, live chat, and phone. In 2023, 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, and 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 also take care of their existing customers. 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.
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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 find a sports betting site that suits your particular needs.
Among our experts’ favorite bonuses of good operators are BetRivers sportsbook Maryland bonuses and Barstool sportsbook Maryland bonus code.
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, an operator with a good betting app and a mobile-optimized website is essential if you are constantly betting on the move. 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 can find sites that rate highly in the areas that matter to you and those with the special features you are looking for.
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Maryland sports betting conclusion – it’s time to get started
Retail sports betting is already alive and kicking in Maryland in 2023, 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!
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Maryland sports betting FAQ
❓ Can you do sports betting in Maryland?
The sports betting landscape is undergoing some big changes in Maryland in 2023, and things could be looking positive. Keep yourself up to date with all of the forthcoming legislative changes by consulting our legal guide for sports betting in Maryland. We recommend bookmarking this page to be alerted of updates.
⚖️ Is online sports betting legal in Maryland?
Since the federal ban on sports betting was lifted in 2018, more and more US states have been exercising their right to create legislation for legal online gambling. Discover the current status with all states, including Maryland, right here at GamblingGuy.com. If something happens anywhere in the US, we will be the first to let you know.
📍 Where can I bet on sports in Maryland?
Discover all of the current in-person and online betting locations in Maryland on our site. As well as providing you with all of the locations that are currently available in December 2023, we will also alert you when new locations and sites are set to launch.
