Maryland sports betting: legal sportsbooks & rules for 2026

Is sports betting legal in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland legalized sports wagering after voters approved Question 2 in November 2020.

• The referendum gave the General Assembly authority to build the market, and Governor Larry Hogan signed House Bill 940 in May 2021.
• Maryland deliberately created a broad licensing structure that includes mobile sportsbooks, casinos, horse racing properties, major professional sports venues and smaller Class B businesses rather than limiting wagering to a handful of casino operators.

Retail sportsbooks opened first on December 9, 2021. Statewide mobile betting arrived much later, with a controlled demonstration on November 21, 2022 and full public mobile launch on November 23.

• You must be at least 21 years old and physically inside Maryland when the wager is placed.
• Residency is not required, which means visitors can create an account and bet once geolocation confirms they are within the state.

Maryland's licensing framework is much larger than the number of brands currently operating. State law created up to 60 mobile licenses and dozens of retail opportunities.

• In practice, the regulated market has grown more gradually, and the active list changes as brands enter, exit or rebrand.
• For the current legal operator list, Maryland Lottery and Gaming is the authoritative source.

Legal Maryland sportsbook apps in 2026

Maryland Lottery and Gaming currently lists 12 legal online sports wagering operators.

• That is a useful number to know because illegal offshore books and sweepstakes-style gambling sites often market themselves alongside licensed brands.
• If a sportsbook is not on the regulator's current legal operator list, do not assume it is authorized merely because its website accepts a Maryland address.

There is no single universally best app. Compare the exact price on the market you want, withdrawal options, live-betting stability and promotion terms. Our line shopping guide explains why a small odds difference matters over a large sample, while the sportsbook bonus guide explains rollover, qualifying wager and expiration rules before you opt into an offer.

Which sports can you bet on in Maryland?

Maryland sportsbooks offer the mainstream U.S. leagues plus global and niche markets approved by the regulator. Local interest is especially strong around the Baltimore Ravens, Baltimore Orioles, Washington-area teams and the Maryland Terrapins, while the state's horse racing heritage adds another layer to its sports culture.

Maryland's approved event catalogue changes over time, so a market that is offered in another state may not automatically be available here. The regulator can approve or prohibit specific event types, and sportsbooks can choose to offer fewer markets than the state permits.

Bet types and live betting in Maryland

The core markets work the same way in Maryland as they do elsewhere: a moneyline prices the winner, a point spread applies a handicap, and a total asks whether combined scoring finishes over or under a posted number. Maryland apps also offer parlays, futures, team props and in-play markets when the underlying event and wager type are approved.

Live betting can move rapidly. Check the current odds, market wording and stake before confirming. Our live betting guide and parlay guide explain settlement and pricing in more detail.

Retail sportsbooks in Maryland

Maryland's retail framework is broader than a casino-only model.

• The sports wagering law names major casinos, professional sports venues, horse racing tracks and several smaller businesses as potential facility licensees.
• The six commercial casinos are the most recognizable locations in the system, but Maryland also built a path for Class B businesses and certain stadium or track operators.

The enabling law also specifically named M&T Bank Stadium, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Washington-area NFL stadium, Laurel Park, Pimlico and several Class B businesses. Not every designated location necessarily operates the same way at the same time, so check the regulator's current license list if you are making a trip specifically to place a retail wager.

Where Maryland stands on online casino gaming

Maryland does not currently authorize regulated real-money online casino gaming. Sports wagering and registered fantasy competitions are the legal online gaming categories identified by Maryland Lottery and Gaming; the agency explicitly warns that other real-money online gambling platforms are not operating legally in the state.

House Bill 1343 was introduced during the 2026 session to create an internet gaming framework subject to a referendum. The bill received a House Ways and Means hearing on March 5, 2026, but it was not enacted during the session.

• That matters because Maryland cannot be treated as a pending-launch iGaming state.
• A proposal exists, but there is no authorized real-money online casino market and no confirmed launch date.

How Maryland compares with nearby betting states

Maryland's market sits between lower-tax neighbors and the highest-tax jurisdictions. The 20% total contribution rate on mobile taxable proceeds is higher than Virginia's 15% and West Virginia's 10%, but far below New York's 51% rate. Maryland also differs from Pennsylvania and New Jersey because it still does not have a legal real-money online casino market.

Maryland also stands out for how much of the sports wagering contribution is tied to named state funds. Public education through the Blueprint for Maryland's Future is the main beneficiary, while the 2025 mobile tax increase added a 5% General Fund component on top of the 15% Blueprint contribution.

How to sign up for a Maryland sportsbook

Maryland allows remote registration, so you do not need to visit a casino or retail book to create a mobile account. The sportsbook will verify your identity and age, and geolocation software must confirm that you are physically inside Maryland when you place a wager.

Banking methods vary by operator. ACH, debit cards, PayPal and other approved methods are common, but individual sportsbook policies differ. Before accepting a promotion, read the qualifying bet, minimum odds, expiration and withdrawal restrictions instead of judging an offer only by the headline amount.

Maryland sports betting taxes and 2026 market data

Sports betting winnings are generally taxable income for the bettor at the federal and Maryland levels. A sportsbook may issue a Form W-2G when federal reporting thresholds are met, but all gambling income can still be reportable even when no form is issued. Tax treatment depends on your circumstances, so consult a qualified tax professional if you need filing advice.

For operators, Maryland's current structure is more specific than a single headline number. Retail sportsbooks contribute 15% of taxable proceeds to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund.

• Mobile operators contribute 15% to the Blueprint Fund plus another 5% to Maryland's General Fund, producing the current 20% total mobile contribution rate.
• The mobile rate increased from 15% beginning June 1, 2025.

The August 2026 report also showed a 9.7% statewide hold. Those numbers change monthly and do not predict future bettor results. They are useful for understanding market scale, not for deciding whether any individual wager is good value.

Responsible gambling resources in Maryland

Maryland Lottery and Gaming requires responsible gambling controls and maintains voluntary exclusion programs. The state also directs expired sports wagering prizes to problem gambling support and regularly publishes enforcement information about unlicensed online gaming. Use account limits before gambling becomes difficult to control, not only after a loss.

Maryland sports betting FAQ

When did sports betting become legal in Maryland?

Maryland voters approved Question 2 in November 2020. Retail sportsbooks launched December 9, 2021, and statewide mobile wagering launched November 23, 2022.

How many legal sportsbook apps are available in Maryland?

Maryland Lottery and Gaming currently lists 12 licensed online brands: Bally Bet Sportsbook, bet365, BetMGM, betParx, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, Crab Sports, DraftKings, theScore Bet, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel and LetsBetMD.

Can I bet on Maryland Terrapins games?

Yes. Maryland generally permits game-level bets on in-state college teams. Individual college athlete proposition wagers have been prohibited by Maryland Lottery and Gaming since March 1, 2024.

What is Maryland's current sports betting tax rate?

Retail sportsbooks contribute 15% of taxable proceeds to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund. Mobile sportsbooks contribute 15% to the Blueprint Fund plus 5% to the General Fund, making the mobile total 20%.

Is online casino gaming legal in Maryland?

No. HB 1343 proposed a referendum-based internet gaming framework in 2026, but it was not enacted. Maryland does not currently license real-money online casino gaming.

What is the minimum age to bet on sports in Maryland?

21. The age limit applies to mobile and retail sports wagering.

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