Is Sports Betting Legal in Maryland?
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Is Sports Betting Legal in Maryland: What You’ll Learn
- Whether sports betting is legal in Maryland, and when retail and mobile wagering became available
- The basic eligibility rules, including age requirements, being physically in Maryland, and who is prohibited from betting
- Where you can legally place bets, including casinos, licensed venues, and approved mobile apps
- What you can and cannot bet on under Maryland law, including restrictions on high school sports and certain events
- How Maryland regulates and licenses sportsbooks, how to verify legal apps, and where sports betting tax revenue goes
Is sports betting legal in Maryland? The quick answer is YES!
But just because it’s legal, it doesn’t mean there aren’t restrictions, regulations and potential risks in which you need to be aware.
This guide breaks down Maryland sports betting laws, who can bet, what you can (and can’t) wager on, and how to make sure you’re using a legal sportsbook.
For sports bettors, who are 21+ or older and physically present in the state of Maryland, gambling has been legal in Maryland since 2020. Bettors can wager via online or mobile sites that are licensed operators. State restrictions on eligible events and participants do apply.
What “legal” means in Maryland
There are plenty of locations in Maryland that offer a sportsbook including both inside a casino like the MGM National Harbor and the Live! Hotel and Casino, major sports venues, licensed locations as well as through online or apps.
Maryland’s first retail sports wagering locations opened in December 2021 after legislation was signed into law in May 2021, and the first mobile sports wagering operators launched in November 2022.
Overall, the law allowed for 47 retail sportsbook licenses, 60 online sportsbook licenses, and three licenses in reserve in the event a major professional sports team relocates to the state.
Maryland does occasionally send out cease-and-desist letters to those operating illegally and provides a list on their website. If you choose to gamble with any of these sites, you do so with tremendous risk and are technically breaking the law.
What’s the difference between mobile and retail sports betting?
- Mobile: These are sports betting operators you can access via mobile device
- Retail: Retail sports betting can be found in designated locations throughout Maryland in both casinos as well as licensed operators, such as a bar or restaurant.
The rules bettors must meet
There are only a few requirements that bettors must meet to gamble in Maryland:
- Must be 21+ or older
- Must be physically present in the state of Maryland
- Cannot be an athlete, coach, referee, or director/employee of a sports governing entity or any of its member teams – they are prohibited from sports betting.
- Cannot have access to certain types of exclusive information on any sporting event overseen by that individual’s sports governing entity
For a comprehensive list of rules regarding those who can bet, review the statutes text from the Maryland General Assembly.
Image Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
What You Can and Can’t Bet On in Maryland
What is considered a sporting event under Maryland law?
- A professional sports or athletic event
- A collegiate sports or athletic event
- An Olympic or international sports or athletic event
- An electronic sports or video game competition in which each participant is at least 18 years old
- A motor race event sanctioned by a motor racing governing entity
- A horse race that takes place in or out of the state, as long as it’s approved and consented (for example, you can bet on the Kentucky Derby)
Before you wager on any sport, you’ll want to take a look at the operator’s approved markets list and Maryland’s approved wagers/events catalog. Check out that list here.
Finally, betting on high school sports and most non-sports events like the Academy Awards are prohibited.
Who Regulates Maryland Sports Betting?
Who holds the authority in Maryland to regulate sports betting and manage licensing? The Maryland Lottery and Gaming serves as the regulator of the state’s casinos and sports wagering entities. It’s their responsibility to ensure all casinos and sports wagering licensees comply with all regulations before issuing an operation license.
The Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) also has the ability to award up to 30 retail sports wagering licenses to entities and up to 60 mobile sports wagering licenses that were not designated in the original law.
After approval by SWARC, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming conducts a full criminal and financial background investigations to determine if those applying are qualified to be issued a gambling license.
How Can You Verify if Maryland Sports Betting Apps are Legal?
Playing on a legitimate, licensed and verified sports betting app or website is important. It not only is regulated by the state but they must prove that their operations are trustworthy.
Maryland Lottery and Gaming provides an official list of licensed online sports wagering operators. You can view the Legal Operators list here.
There are several reasons why you shouldn’t gamble on an offshore or unlicensed site:
- No legal recourse if there is no payout. Because offshore betting sites are outside U.S. federal and state jurisdiction there is nothing you can do to recoup winnings and even account balances if they choose not to payout or allow withdrawals.
- Cybersecurity issues. If an offshore or unlicensed gambling site mishandles your personal and private data, there is little if any legal recourse.
- It’s against the law. Gambling on these sites technically means you’re committing a crime.
Image Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
Where Do the Collected Taxes from Sports Betting Operators go?
Maryland’s licensed sports betting and online gambling site provides significant tax revenue to public programs by paying a percentage of their taxable proceeds to the state. Maryland’s mobile and retail sports wagering market contributed nearly $89 million in fiscal year 2025 directed to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public education programs.
For the month of June 2025, Maryland lawmakers increased the taxable proceeds for mobile and online operators from 15% to 20%, with the full amount directed to the Blueprint Fund for that month. In July 2025, the percentage contribution changed to 15% to the Blueprint Fund and 5% to the General Fund.
How to Start Betting Legally in Maryland
Are you ready to start betting on sports? For Maryland residents or those located in the state, the process can be quick and easy. Just follow these steps:
- Choose a licensed operator
- Create an account
- Verify your ID and age
- Enable location services
- Set up your bank information and deposit money
- Search for the game(s) you want to bet on
What to Know About Enabling Location Services
Licensed operators must keep their geolocation system up to date and ensure the system can detect and mitigate existing and emerging location fraud risks. They must also be able to verify that the gambler accessing the wagering platform is located in Maryland and block attempts to access if they are not.
FAQ
Is online sports betting legal in Maryland?
Yes. As of November 2022, online and mobile sports betting is legal in Maryland through licensed sportsbooks regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. No other forms of real-money online or mobile gaming or wagering, such as casino gambling, are operating legally in Maryland.
Do I have to live in Maryland to bet on sports?
No, you don’t have to be a Maryland resident, however, you must be physically in Maryland to place bets.
Can I bet on high school sports?
No. A licensed sports betting operator will not have the option bet on high school sports.
Are my online sports betting winnings taxed?
Yes. You must report all betting income on the state and federal level.
Title Image Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
