Sports betting in Maryland is fully legal and continues to grow. Bettors can choose from both retail sportsbooks and regulated online betting apps, giving residents and visitors plenty of options for wagering on football and other major sports.
This guide covers everything you need to know about legal Maryland sports betting — including the top sportsbook apps, available promotions, and how to get started placing bets in the state.
Disclaimer: For those outside of Maryland, you may face restrictions on the offers you see on this page.
Since online sports betting launched in Maryland in late 2022, nearly a dozen regulated sportsbooks have entered the market. The state now features many of the biggest national brands, each offering competitive welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions.
Below is a breakdown of some of the top Maryland sportsbook promos and the types of promos typically available to new users.
Originally launched as a daily fantasy sports platform, DraftKings promo code has grown into one of the most popular sportsbooks in the country. Maryland users can access a wide range of betting markets, plus consistent promotions for both new and returning players.
Typical new-user offer: Bet & Get-style bonus (e.g., bonus bets awarded with a qualifying wager).
Minimum deposit: Usually starts at $5–$10.
Bonus expiration: Commonly seven days.
Top Features:
Bonus bets often credited quickly after a qualifying wager
Frequent odds boosts and promo offerings
Shared wallet with other DraftKings products
FanDuel promo code is one of the most widely used sportsbook apps in the U.S. The platform is known for its intuitive interface, competitive pricing, and robust same-game parlay options.
Typical new-user offer: Bet & Get bonus tied to a small qualifying wager.
Bonus expiration: Typically seven days.
Top Features:
Fast withdrawals
Regular odds boosts and promotional offers
Extensive same-game parlay markets
Caesars Sportsbook promo code offers a polished mobile experience along with a well-known loyalty program that connects to its nationwide casino footprint.
Typical new-user offer: First-bet insurance or bet match (terms vary).
Bonus conditions: May include minimum odds and time restrictions.
Top Features:
Caesars Rewards integration
Frequent promotional contests and sweepstakes
Weekly offers for active users
BetMGM bonus code combines a strong betting menu with the nationwide MGM Rewards program. It offers competitive pregame and live betting markets.
Typical new-user offer: First-bet insurance-style bonus (bonus bets issued if your first wager loses).
Minimum deposit: Often $10 or more.
Bonus expiration: Typically seven days.
Top Features:
MGM Rewards loyalty integration
Edit My Bet feature
Occasional deposit match promotions
Fanatics Sportsbook promo code stands out thanks to its FanCash rewards system, which allows users to earn rewards on wagers that can be redeemed for bonus bets or merchandise.
Typical new-user offer: Bet match or multi-day promotional structure awarding FanCash.
Bonus expiration: Commonly seven days.
Top Features:
FanCash rewards integration
Personalized home screen
Flexible welcome offer options
bet365 bonus code, originally a major European sportsbook, has expanded across the U.S. and offers one of the deepest betting menus in Maryland, especially for live and international markets.
Typical new-user offer: Bet & Get bonus tied to a small qualifying wager.
Bonus flexibility: Bonus bets often can be split across wagers.
Top Features:
Extensive live betting platform
Bet Builder functionality
In-app streaming for select events
Maryland’s sports identity is closely tied to nearby Washington, D.C., with several teams drawing fans from both regions. While some D.C.-branded teams play just over the border, Maryland is also home to major professional franchises of its own.
Here’s a look at the top teams Maryland bettors follow most closely.
After losing the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis in the 1980s, the city regained an NFL franchise in 1996 when the former Cleveland Browns relocated and became the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens quickly built a reputation for dominant defense and physical football. They captured their first Super Bowl title following the 2000 season, powered by one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. Baltimore added a second championship during the 2012 season with a memorable playoff run that ended in a Super Bowl victory.
Over the years, the Ravens have remained a consistent contender in the AFC, regularly appearing in playoff races and division battles. Ravens games are among the most heavily wagered NFL matchups in Maryland, particularly during postseason pushes and rivalry games.
Although branded as Washington’s team, the Washington Commanders play their home games in Landover, Maryland. The franchise is one of the NFL’s most historic, with three Super Bowl titles during its dominant run in the 1980s and early 1990s.
After a lengthy rebuilding period, the franchise has undergone major changes in recent years, including new ownership and leadership. Renewed optimism has followed structural changes within the organization, making Commanders games a frequent focal point for Maryland bettors.
Because the team plays within Maryland state lines, Commanders matchups often generate significant local betting interest.
Maryland is also home to the Baltimore Orioles, one of Major League Baseball’s most established franchises. The team plays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, widely regarded as one of the most iconic ballparks in the country.
Orioles games attract strong betting action during the 162-game MLB season, particularly when the team is competitive in the American League East.
In addition to Maryland-based teams, many residents also support:
Washington Capitals (NHL)
Washington Wizards (NBA)
The overlap between Maryland and D.C. markets means bettors often follow multiple regional teams across leagues.
The Baltimore Orioles trace their roots to the late 19th century, but the modern franchise began in 1954 when the St. Louis Browns relocated and rebranded in Baltimore.
The Orioles captured their first World Series title in 1966 and added championships in 1970 and 1983. Despite multiple postseason appearances over the years, the franchise has not returned to the World Series since 1983 and continues to pursue its next American League pennant.
In recent seasons, however, the Orioles have shown renewed momentum. The 2023 campaign marked their first AL East division title in more than a decade, signaling a resurgence that has drawn increased interest from both fans and bettors.
Maryland allows betting on college teams, including in-state programs. However, as of March 2024, wagering on individual college player prop bets is prohibited.
Bettors can still place wagers on:
College football and basketball games
Futures and team-based markets
Tournament matchups involving Maryland schools
Maryland has a long and colorful relationship with gambling. In the 1940s, the deregulation of slot machines turned parts of the state - particularly around Annapolis - into bustling gaming hubs, earning the nickname “Little Vegas.” Stricter regulations in the 1960s largely curtailed those activities.
Legal gambling began to reemerge in the late 2000s and early 2010s. A key milestone came in 2012, when Maryland legalized paid-entry fantasy sports contests.
Modern sports betting took shape after voters approved Question 2 in November 2020. The legislature followed with HB 940, signed into law in April 2021, formally authorizing retail and online sports wagering. Online sports betting launched in November 2022.
Since then, the market has generated significant economic impact. In 2024 alone, Maryland bettors wagered approximately $5.9 billion on sports. Tax revenue from sports betting supports state programs, including education and public services.
Current Sportsbooks
10Licenses Allowed
60Horseshoe Baltimore Casino: 1525 Russell St., Baltimore, MD, 21230
Long Shot's: 5400 Holiday Dr, Frederick, MD 21703
Northwest Stadium: 1600 Ring Rd, Landover, MD 20785
Riverboat on the Potomac Casino: 201 Beach Terrace, Colonial Beach, VA 22443 (located on Maryland waters)
Live! Casino & Hotel: 7002 Arundel Mills Cir, Hanover, MD, 21076
Sports & Social: 11800 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda, MD 20852
Mobile Sportsbook
MGM National Harbor Casino: 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD, 20745
November 3, 2020
Marylanders give a thumbs-up to sports betting at the ballot box, clearing the way for the state legislature to formally legalize it.
May 18, 2021
Governor Larry Hogan signs HB 940 into law, thus affirming the will of the voters and setting sports wagering in Maryland on a path toward launch.
November 18, 2021
Maryland's Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) awards the state's first sports betting licenses to five casino properties in the state.
December 9, 2021
MGM National Harbor accepts Maryland's first in-person sports wager. A day later, Horseshoe Casino and Live! Casino would follow suit.
November 16, 2022
The SWARC approves licenses for 10 mobile sportsbooks. The next day, it's announced that seven of them will be ready to launch on Nov. 23.
November 23, 2022
After a soft launch on Nov. 21 and a day's break for a state regulatory review, online sports betting fully launches in Maryland, with Barstool, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and PointsBet going live.
Sports betting is fully legal in Maryland, which launched retail wagering before the online version went live.
Anyone who is at least 21 years of age can bet on sports in Maryland, provided they are physically located within state boundaries.
Sports wagering is regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC), while applications for licenses are reviewed and approved by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC).
Bettors are afforded a smorgasbord of sports betting options in Maryland, including: esports, Australian Rules Football, badminton, baseball, basketball, biathlon, bowling, boxing, cornhole, cricket, cycling, darts, Ultimate Frisbee, floorball, football, futsal, Gaelic Games, golf, handball, ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, MMA, motorsports, netball, Olympics, pesapallo, pickleball, pool, rodeo, rowing, rugby, sailing, snooker, soccer, softball, squash, surfing, summer athletics, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, water polo, winter athletics, chess, NCAA wrestling, pro mini-golf, and equestrian.
You could place pretty much any type of wager on sports above the high school level until Maryland outlawed college player props in 2024. Unlike in some other states, betting is allowed on in-state colleges and player drafts like those held by the NFL and NBA.
Maryland was one of the first states to expressly permit daily fantasy sports contests, having done so in 2012. The state also boasts one of the most robust roster of DFS operators, a list that includes the likes of DraftKings, FanDuel, Underdog, and Yahoo, as well as several smaller entities.
Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course is home to the Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown. Pimlico opened in 1870, and the state is home to four additional racetracks: Laurel Park, Ocean Downs, Rosecroft Raceway, and Timonium Race Track. Maryland also boasts several off-track betting locations for simulcast wagering, and horseplayers can gamble from home (or on their phone) through various account-wagering platforms.
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