Maryland Sports Betting Guide 2026

Yes. Sports betting is fully legal in Maryland. Voters approved sports wagering in November 2020, lawmakers implemented the framework in 2021, and the first retail sportsbooks opened at casinos in December 2021. Online sports betting launched statewide on November 23, 2022, allowing mobile apps to accept bets from anywhere inside Maryland’s borders.

The industry is overseen by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency and Commission, which license operators, maintain a catalog of approved events and wager types, and enforce consumer protection and responsible gambling rules.

Quick facts

• Sports betting approved by voters in 2020
• Retail launched December 2021; online launched November 23, 2022
• 21 plus and located in Maryland to bet
• Online and retail sportsbooks both allowed

Maryland’s online market features many of the biggest sportsbook brands in the country. Apps such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook and others are licensed in the state through partnerships with Maryland casinos and sports venues.

Having multiple legal options is a big advantage for bettors. Opening accounts at several books lets you compare odds, shop welcome bonuses and find the interface that fits your style.

The lineup of Maryland sportsbooks can change as operators enter or leave the market or adjust partnerships. Always confirm that any app you use appears on the Maryland Lottery and Gaming list of licensed sports wagering operators.

Maryland’s sports betting framework is designed to be consumer-friendly while still protecting athletes and the integrity of competitions. Here are the basics every bettor should know.

Who can bet in Maryland

• You must be at least 21 years old
• You must be physically located inside Maryland when placing a wager
• You must pass identity and age verification when creating an account
• You must use your own account; betting for others or sharing accounts is not allowed

What you can bet on

• Professional sports including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS and more
• College sports involving both in-state and out-of-state teams, with prop restrictions
• International leagues and major tournaments
• Golf, tennis, motorsports, combat sports and other approved events
• Futures such as championships, win totals and awards
• Team-level props and many live betting markets on approved events

What you cannot bet on

• College player props of any kind, including for out-of-state teams
• High school sports or most youth/amateur events
• Events or bet types not listed in Maryland’s catalog of approved wagers
• Bets with unlicensed offshore sportsbooks that do not hold a Maryland license

College prop rule

Maryland regulators have directed all sportsbooks to remove college player-specific prop bets. You can still bet on college games and futures, including on Maryland teams, but wagers must be limited to team and game-level markets rather than individual player statistics.

Maryland is relatively flexible on which college teams you can bet on but more strict about how you can bet on them. You are allowed to wager on in-state programs such as Maryland and Navy, but player props are off the board for all college teams.

Allowed on college sports

• Moneylines, spreads and totals on games involving in-state and out-of-state college teams
• Team-level futures such as conference titles and national championships
• Team-level props and certain live markets where listed in the app

Not allowed on college sports

• Player-specific props such as points, yards, rebounds or assists for any college athlete
• Exotic or integrity-sensitive markets that Maryland Lottery and Gaming removes from the catalog
• Any wagers on high school or lower-level amateur contests

Sportsbooks may further limit college markets based on their internal risk rules. If a market does not appear in your app, assume it is restricted by law or operator policy and do not attempt to circumvent those rules.

There are two sides to sports betting taxes in Maryland: one for operators and another for individual bettors. Understanding each side can help you avoid surprises.

Taxes on Maryland sportsbooks

• Sportsbook revenue is generally taxed at around 15 percent of adjusted gross sports wagering receipts
• Portions of this tax support education and other public programs in Maryland
• These taxes are paid by the operators, not charged directly on each individual bet

Taxes on bettors and gambling winnings

• Sports betting winnings are taxable income at the federal level
• Maryland also taxes gambling winnings as part of state income tax
• Large wins may trigger automatic withholding and forms such as a W-2G
• Both residents and nonresidents must report taxable gambling winnings from Maryland sources

This is general information, not personal tax advice. Talk to a tax professional about how sports betting winnings fit into your federal and Maryland tax situation, especially if you wager frequently or in large amounts.

Maryland offers retail sportsbooks at several licensed casinos and certain sports venues. These locations often share branding and account links with the same sportsbooks you can use on your phone or desktop.

What to expect at Maryland retail sportsbooks

• Dedicated sports lounges with large screens and seating
• Staffed betting counters and self-service kiosks for placing wagers
• Cash deposits and withdrawals that can be linked to your online account at some locations
• On-site promos tied to big game days and local teams

Retail locations and operator partnerships can change as licenses are awarded or updated. Maryland Lottery and Gaming publishes the official list of licensed facilities and their operator partners.

Getting started with legal sports betting in Maryland is straightforward. You can complete the setup process from your phone or laptop in a few minutes.

• Choose one or more licensed Maryland sportsbook apps you want to try.
• Download each app or visit the official website and select Maryland as your state.
• Create an account with your name, address, date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number or other requested ID.
• Enable location services so the app can verify that you are inside Maryland.
• Make your first deposit using online banking, debit card, credit card (where allowed) or an approved wallet.
• Review any welcome offer terms so your first bet or deposit qualifies for a bonus.
• Place your first wager and track your bets, results and promotions inside the app.

For most bettors, having at least two or three Maryland sportsbook accounts is ideal. Multiple apps let you compare odds, rotate through promos and avoid overcommitting to a single book.

Compare top Maryland sportsbooks

A competitive legal market is good news for players, but smart habits are still essential. A little structure goes a long way toward keeping betting enjoyable and sustainable.

Positive habits

• Set a clear monthly betting budget and stick to it
• Use multiple books to compare odds before you bet
• Focus on sports and markets you understand well
• Keep a simple record of bets, stakes, odds and results
• Set deposit or time limits in the app if you feel tempted to overbet

Things to avoid

• Chasing losses with bigger or more frequent bets
• Using offshore sportsbooks that are not licensed in Maryland
• Trying to place disallowed college player props via workarounds
• Letting betting impact work, relationships or your finances

If betting stops feeling fun or you feel out of control, reach out to Maryland’s problem gambling resources or the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER. Help is free and confidential.