MD Sports Betting

MARYLAND SPORTS BETTING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MD SPORTS BETTING APPS

Maryland online sports betting is live! The launch of mobile betting apps in the state took place at 9 a.m. ET on Nov. 23, 2022.

Although retail sports betting in Maryland has been available since last winter, sports fans in the state have had to wait for online sports wagering to become a reality. On Nov. 16, the Sports Wagering Application Review Committee (SWARC) approved 10 mobile sports wagering entities for licenses, allowing them to go live in time for Thanksgiving.

The 10 entities awarded mobile sports betting licenses by SWARC are:

  • BetRivers (Bingo World)
  • BetMGM (MGM National Harbor)
  • DraftKings (Baltimore Ravens)
  • Caesars (Horseshoe Casino Baltimore)
  • betPARX (Greenmount OTB LLC)
  • Betfred (Long Shot’s LLC)
  • Fanatics (Washington Commanders)
  • Barstool (Hollywood Casino Perryville)
  • FanDuel (Live! Casino and Hotel)
  • PointsBet (Riverboat on the Potomac)

SWARC began accepting license applications in September. Now, some of the best sportsbook apps in the US are live in the state including DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, FanDuel, PointsBet, and BetRivers.

  • DraftKings Maryland is currently offering new users the chance to Bet $5, Get $200 in free bets instantly. DraftKings is also offering two ‘no brainer’ offers exclusive to Maryland customers. No Brainer No. 1 gives users the chance to double your money if either Dallas or Boston makes a 3-pointer on Nov. 23. No Brainer No. 2 offers users the chance to double your money if Baltimore scores a point on Nov 27. Claim DraftKings MD promo code by clicking here.
  • Caesars Maryland is offering new users up to $1,500 back as a free bet OR the chance to claim a $100 free bet with as little as a $20 wager. If you lose your first bet, you get it back as a free bet up to $1,500. Claim the Caesars MD promo code SHARPBETPICS by clicking here.
  • BetMGM Maryland is now offering First Bet Insurance up to $1,000 to new users. Get up to $1,000 paid back in free bets if you don’t win. Claim the BetMGM MD bonus code SHARP here.
  • FanDuel Maryland is offering Bet $5, Get $2oo in free bets on any market regardless of if your bet wins or loses. Claim the FanDuel MD promo code here.
  • PointsBet Maryland is offering new users 2 Free Bets up to $2000. Claim the PointsBet MD BESTOFFER promo code here.
  • BetRivers Maryland is offering new users a Second chance bet up to $500. Claim the BetRivers MD promo code SHARPRIV here.

Here’s what to expect from the launch of Maryland sports betting apps this year.

MARYLAND SPORTSBOOK APPS THAT HAVE LAUNCHED

The following sportsbooks went live in Maryland when online sports betting launched on Nov. 23.  The table below outlines the bonuses from each Maryland sportsbook.

Sportsbook Welcome Bonus Expected
DraftKings Maryland Bet $5, Get $200 in free bets instantly.
Caesars Maryland Get up to $1,500 back as a free bet with code SHARPBETPICS. If your first bet loses, you get it back as a free bet.
BetMGM Maryland Get First Bet Insurance up to $1,000 with bonus code SHARP.
FanDuel Maryland Sign up to Bet $5, Get $200 in free bets on any market regardless of if your bet wins or loses
PointsBet Maryland Sign up to get 2 Free Bets up to $2,000 with code BESTOFFER.
BetRivers Maryland Second chance free bet up to $500 with code SHARPRIV

 Another three mobile sportsbooks have been awarded licenses, but they informed Maryland Lottery and Gaming that they would not be prepared to launch this week:

  • Betfred (operator for Long Shot’s in Frederick)
  • BetParx (operator for Greenmount Station in Hampstead)
  • Fanatics (operator for Maryland Stadium Sub/Washington Commanders in Landover)

THE BEST MARYLAND SPORTS BETTING APPS TO LAUNCH IN 2022

Some sportsbooks rise above the rest with high-quality overall experiences and excellent bonuses. Here are the five best sites we expect to go live ahead of Thanksgiving. All of these Maryland sportsbooks are licensed and regulated by multiple governing bodies, meaning they are safe and secure to use.

MARYLAND SPORTS BETTING – WHERE YOU CAN SIGN UP NOW

DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK MARYLAND

Visit DraftKings Maryland to Bet $5, Get $200 in Free Bets Instantly. No DraftKings Maryland promo code is needed. Just use this link.

There’s a reason practically everyone knows what DraftKings is. The platform skyrocketed from DFS fame into the sports betting spotlight, launching in new markets at a rapid clip and with a strong overall sports betting experience.

DraftKings Maryland is well known for their top-tier in app experience for new and existing users. The app provides a seamless transition for users that may be new to the sports betting industry. The easy navigation and clear instructions will provide all that users need in order to place their first bet when sports betting launches.

In other markets, DraftKings has launched with a lucrative deposit match bonus: 20% of your first deposit matched up to $1,000. Sure, you’ll need to deposit a hefty $5,000 to claim the full effect of the bonus, but it’s still hard to beat. Plus, it scales. Even if you only deposit $100, you’ll still get $20 in bonus credit. It’s also likely Maryland sports fans may be able to claim a $50 free bet with only a $5 deposit as well.

DraftKings is partnered with the Baltimore Ravens for its sports betting license in the state.

DraftKings Sportsbook has arrived in Maryland and bettors can start claiming its welcome offers by clicking here.

CAESARS SPORTSBOOK MARYLAND

Visit Caesars Maryland to claim up to $1,500 back as free bet. If your first bet loses, you get it back as a free bet with code SHARPBETPICS. Customers can also choose to get a $100 free bet with as little as a $20 wager on your first bet. Caesars has become an instant contender in the US sportsbook market in recent months. The Caesars Sportsbook experience is amazing overall, with an excellent user interface and various ongoing promos that will please existing users.

Caesars has also been known to run promos in partnership with professional sports leagues to give bettors free jerseys and promotions surrounding their partners making them stand out from competitors. They also run a top-notch loyalty program through Caesars Rewards ®. Users can get points for using the app, visiting a retail sportsbook, or any Caesars resort and use those points to money off rooms, restaurants, travel and gain some extra betting promotions. Now that Caesars Maryland has gone live, check back often for great potential bonuses.

BETMGM MARYLAND

New users can claim the BetMGM Maryland First Bet Insurance up to $1,000. Get up to $1,000 paid back in free bets if you don’t win with bonus code SHARP. Just use this link.

Backed by MGM’s long history of success in the gambling and hospitality space, BetMGM is expected to be a top Maryland sportsbook when it launches.

The BetMGM Maryland sports betting app will offer weekly promotions, great customer service and a large market depth. Users will be able to have flexible betting on almost any sporting event they could want with some of the best odds in the industry. With a polished and streamlined in-app experience and plenty of ongoing promotions, BetMGM will likely be an early leader in the Maryland sportsbook market.

The welcome bonus users will see in official launch is excellent, too with First Bet Insurance up to $1,000. BetMGM offers this bonus in most markets where it’s already live.

BetMGM opened a retail sportsbook at MGM National Harbor in Oxen Hill last winter. The world class sportsbook is located on the border of Washington D.C., and right on the Potomac River. The BetMGM Maryland retail location offers a 360-degree jumbotron that allows them to project games in every direction, ensuring no bad seat in the house. With wait staff, full food and beverage menu and comfortable seating, bettors in Maryland can’t miss a beat here.

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MARYLAND

Visit FanDuel Maryland to Bet $5, Get $200 in free bets on any market without a FanDuel Maryland promo code. Just use this link.

FanDuel has a solid overall sports betting experience that will undoubtedly be a leader in Maryland now that the platform is fully launched.

FanDuel is known for its seamless in-app experience and great ongoing promotions. It’s also a great place to shop for better odds, especially if you like betting the underdog and giving yourself a slight edge. FanDuel Maryland will offer users weekly promotions and bonuses that will ensure bettors in the state will not get bored with the opportunities in front of them.

FanDuel is partnered with Maryland Live! Casino & Hotel, and a retail FanDuel Sportsbook opened at the facility last winter. At this retail sportsbook location, sports bettors can use the betting kiosk on site or place their wagers with a teller. The FanDuel Sportsbook also has 40 televisions and an extensive food and beverage menu, providing a great in-person experience for bettors as well.

The sportsbook’s standard welcome bonus is “No Sweat First Bet” up to $1,000.

POINTSBET SPORTSBOOK MARYLAND

PointsBet Maryland already has a presence in the new Eastern market having launched its retail sportsbook, Riverboat on the Potomac, in September. Riverboat on the Potomac became Maryland’s seventh sportsbook.

PointsBet has become a staple in the sports betting community and users should expect the same great customer service when online sports betting makes gets the green light in Maryland.

Starting this relationship off strong, PointsBet has released their welcome bonus offering new users 2 Free Bets up to $2,000. Use our PointsBet Maryland bonus code BESTOFER and click here to claim the offer.

BETRIVERS SPORTSBOOK MARYLAND

BetRivers has long been a leader in the sports betting world, and that trend is likely to continue when its mobile app launches in Maryland. BetRivers already has a presence in the state with a retail sportsbook at Bingo World in Baltimore. The BetRivers Maryland Sportsbook at Bingo World is equipped with 12 betting kiosks and 25 televisions for visitors looking to place their live wagers.

BetRivers has been known to offer great localized promos, so it’ll be a great choice if you’re a diehard Ravens or Orioles fan.

Plus, BetRivers has one of the more user-friendly welcome bonuses out there. The promotion gives you a Second Chance Free Bet up to $500. It’s one of the easiest bonuses to claim and earn credit for, making it a great fit for new users. Once the Maryland betting site launches, sports fans can expect to use the BetRivers Maryland bonus code SHARPRIV to claim this offer.

ADDITIONAL MARYLAND SPORTS BETTING OPTIONS COMING SOON

BALLYBET MARYLAND

Bally Bet Sportsbook Maryland should be launching soon. In other markets, Bally Bet has implemented a sports betting bonus in the form of 100% Bet Match Up To $250. This bet is different than most in that it does not matter if the bet loses or wins, the sportsbook will still give you your stake back up to $250.

Bally Bet has not made any partnerships with casinos or professional sports teams in Maryland that would allow the sportsbook for market access. We can gather what that launch will look like when they arrive in MD based on their relationships and bonuses in other states like Virginia, Colorado and Indiana. When the Bally Bet Maryland bonus code is announced we will be sure to post our exclusive promo code here.

BET365 MARYLAND

The Bet365 Maryland sports betting app will be one that MD residents will want to check out. In previous state launches, the sportsbook has provided a sports betting bonus of placing a $1 bet and get $200 in free bets. The minimum deposit to qualify for this offer is $10 and the free bets can be placed on a lot of different events.

BETFRED MARYLAND

When Betfred Sportsbook Maryland launches sometime soon, residents can expect a sportsbook that will have an impact on the state. Betfred Maryland has partnered with Long Shot’s of Frederick for a retail sportsbook. This partnership gives them market access for a retail sportsbook and a mobile sports betting app.

In previous markets, Betfred has a welcome bonus of up to $250 in free bets in states where available. A notable but similar sports betting bonus to others in the industry. This could be a similar offer that goes live when Betfred launches in Maryland.

BETWAY MARYLAND

The UK based sportsbook started out with headquarters in both Malta and Guernsey is looking to make an impact on the US market and already has a presence in Colorado, Indiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Iowa. In some state launches, Betway has promoted a $250 risk-free bet and in others it has allowed users to gain up to $1,000 in risk-free bets.

TYPES OF MARYLAND SPORTS BETTING BONUSES

When Maryland sportsbooks launch, expect great welcome bonuses. Operators will be eager to claim a piece of a brand new market and will be competing with each other to do so. One of the most important things they can do is to provide strong welcome offers.

Here are the different types of promo offers and bonuses Maryland bettors can expect to see.

DEPOSIT MATCH

Deposit match bonuses are incredibly common in the sportsbook world, and Maryland will carry on that tradition. Deposit matches come in all shapes and sizes. DraftKings usually offers a 20% match up to $1,000. The major differences between deposit match bonuses come in the form of playthrough requirements. Some sportsbooks have wagering requirements of 10x to 30x, so be sure to read the terms and conditions.

FIRST BET INSURANCE

First bet insurance is exactly what its sounds like. Sign up, make a deposit, and place your first bet. If it loses, the sportsbook will refund the amount you wagered in the form of free credits, which you can then use to bet again.

First bet insurance is a great way to test the Maryland sports betting waters without shelling out too much money upfront.

NO DEPOSIT BONUSES

Some sportsbooks will pair their other bonuses (i.e. deposit matches) with no-deposit bonuses. These promotions will give bettors a small amount of free betting credit (usually $5 to $50) just for signing up.

BENEFITS OF USING LEGAL MARYLAND SPORTS BETTING APPS

Right now, Maryland bettors are relegated to retail sportsbook locations. Mobile apps are on their way. Here is a list of the Maryland sportsbook apps we expect to launch in Maryland, along with the local casinos they are partnering with.

Sportsbook Maryland Partner/Retail Location
DraftKings Maryland Baltimore Ravens (no retail sportsbook)
Caesars Sportsbook Maryland Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
BetMGM Maryland MGM National Harbor
FanDuel Maryland Maryland Live! Casino Hotel
PointsBet Maryland Riverboat on the Potomac
BetRivers Maryland Bingo World
Barstool Maryland Hollywood Casino Perryville
TwinSpires Maryland Ocean Downs
FOX Bet Maryland TBD

However, there’s a large market of offshore and grey market operators out there, and it’s important to steer clear of these sites. Instead, stick to the sportsbooks we’ve mentioned here, which are all licensed and regulated by the MD State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.

There are myriad reasons to stick to legal and regulated sites. First and foremost, regulated sites in Maryland will protect your data with industry-standard encryption. SSL encryption keeps your information safe as it travels from your device to the sportsbook’s servers, protecting it from potential hackers.

In addition, Maryland sports betting sites are legally required to pay taxes and to protect any potential winnings. You’ll always get paid out if you win at a Maryland sports betting site. Offshore sites can’t make that guarantee.

Finally, you can expect top-notch customer service and resources at Maryland sportsbooks. Legal sites want you to have a good experience, so you can keep playing. Offshore sites will rarely offer good customer service coverage compared to legal and regulated counterparts.

HOW TO BET AT MARYLAND SPORTSBOOK APPS: STEP BY STEP

Now that Maryland mobile sports betting apps are live, registering will be easy, and placing a bet only takes seconds. Here’s how you can sign up once the market opens.

  1. Use our links above to claim any bonus or sign up offers, register and download the app.
  2. Download your preferred sportsbook app (for iOS or Android) after clicking our exclusive links.
  3. Follow the steps and provide your info as required. You’ll need your name, address, email, phone number, date of birth, a government-issued ID, and your social security number.
  4. If necessary, confirm your email address by clicking the link sent to you.
  5. Make your first deposit. Keep in mind you may need to opt into a bonus before you do so.
  6. Find your desired bet. It could be anything, from a simple moneyline to a complex parlay (though you should place parlay wagers with caution!).
  7. Add the bet to your betslip, then type in the amount you’d like to wager and click “place bet.”
  8. Wait for the sportsbook to confirm your bet has been placed, then watch the game or games in question and hope you win!

MARYLAND SPORTS BETTING MOBILE APP AVAILABILITY

Maryland sportsbook apps will be available on Android and iOS devices.

Apple users will have no trouble downloading the apps. Just search your desired app in the iOS App Store and download it as you normally would.

Android users will have a similar experience. Most sportsbook apps are available in the Google Play Store, so you can download them normally. Some apps aren’t yet listed in Google Play, however. In that case, you can visit the sportsbook’s site on your mobile browser and find a download link for Android. Follow the steps and you should be able to install it without issue. Contact customer service if you need support with this step.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD SPORTSBOOK APP?

There are various qualities that make for a solid sports betting experience on mobile OR desktop. This list isn’t all-inclusive, but these are a few of the things we look for in a good sportsbook.

PROMOTIONS & BONUSES

From the welcome bonus to ongoing promotions, sportsbooks should have a healthy stable of offers available. This goes well beyond the initial welcome bonus, though that’s important, too. When Maryland sports betting is live, look for great ongoing offers like odds boosts, parlay insurance, free bets, referral bonuses, and more. Users can also be on the lookout for pre-launch promos, like with DraftKings Maryland.

BETTING MARKET VARIETY

It’s simple: you should be able to find any bet you’d like to make. The more markets available at a sportsbook, the better. Most of the Maryland sportsbooks we anticipate in the state will have similar numbers of available bets, though some do outpace the competition. Big bookmakers with corporate backing have more capacity to offer larger

SPEED & NAVIGATION

This is especially important if you’re betting live markets and want to quickly capitalize on an available line. You should have a seamless and speedy process from start to finish. Some books beat out others in this category: DraftKings and FanDuel both spring to mind as fast, reliable sportsbook.

However, most of the sportsbooks we list for Maryland bettors here have great navigation and are easy to sift through.

MARYLAND SPORTS BETTING TIMELINE

It has been a long road to get to the launch of Maryland mobile sports betting, one that now has an end in sight with the Nov. 23 launch date.

SWARC is authorized to conduct a competitive process to award up to 60 mobile licenses and up to 30 Class B facility licenses.

Read below for the breakdown of Maryland sports betting.

  • 2022 – Online sports betting officially launches in the state at 9 am. ET on Nov. 23.
  • 2022- Application window for mobile sports betting closes.
  • 2022- SWARC announces that Maryland mobile betting platforms will go live on a rolling basis rather than an official launch date.
  • 2022- Riverboat on the Potomac opens as the state’s seventh retail sportsbook.
  • 2022- Maryland mobile sports betting applications are accepted by SWARC.
  • 2022- Bingo World opens as Maryland’s sixth retail sportsbook.
  • 2022- Washington Commanders are granted a retail sportsbook license.
  • March-April 2022- Bingo World, Greenmount Station and Riverboat on the Potomac receive retail sportsbook licenses.
  • 2021- In-person sports betting goes live at multiple retail sportsbook locations across the state.
  • May 2021- Governor Larry Hogan signs HB940.
  • April 2021- Sentate amends and passes the House version of HB940 and the House passes the final version (124-14).

MARYLAND SPORTS BETTING FAQ

CAN I BET ON COLLEGE SPORTS IN MARYLAND?

Yes. Once Maryland sportsbook apps go live, you’ll be able to bet on college sports, including in-state teams. Some states prohibit betting on in-state match-ups, but Maryland does not.

ARE THERE RETAIL SPORTSBOOKS IN MARYLAND?

Yes. Maryland already has multiple retail betting locations open. More are definitely on the way, too.

DO I NEED TO LIVE IN MARYLAND TO BET?

No. You will, however, need to be located within the state of Maryland to place a bet. This will be confirmed using geolocation technology.

ARE MARYLAND SPORTSBOOK APPS LEGITIMATE?

Yes. Maryland sportsbook apps are all going to be regulated by the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control agency. This organization sets forth the rules and regulations by which all Maryland sportsbooks must abide. If a sportsbook doesn’t meet stringent requirements, it risks losing its license.

HOW OLD WILL I NEED TO BE TO BET IN MARYLAND?

21 or older. 21 is the minimum gambling age in Maryland. Your age will be confirmed using personal information when you sign up.

Content provided in partnership with Maryland Sharp.