States / Maryland / Sports betting
Is sports betting legal in Maryland?
Yes. In Maryland, online and in-person sports betting are legal (as of Oct 11, 2026). Online betting launched Nov 23, 2022; in-person betting Dec 9, 2021. Operators pay 20% OTHER in tax.
| Channel | Status | Launched | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sports (online) | Live | Nov 23, 2022 | Competitive | 12 licensed mobile sportsbooks as of the "Legal vs. Illegal Online Gaming" list (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, etc.). Maryland's Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) approved 10 of 21 pending mobile applications on November 16, 2022 (Barstool, Betfred, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, Parx, PointsBet); 3 of those 10 told the regulator they would not be ready for launch, and the remaining 7 completed required controlled live-wagering demonstrations on November 21, 2022 before the state's mobile market officially launched at 9 a.m. on November 23, 2022. Mobile tax rose from 15% to a transitional 30% for FY2026 (July 2025-June 2026) and then settles at a permanent 20% from FY2027 (July 2026) onward, per HB 352/Ch. 604 (2025) -- see tax_rates for the confirmed two-step structure from the enrolled bill text. Md. Code, State Gov't § 9-1E-01 et seq. [1],[2] |
| Sports (retail) | Live | Dec 9, 2021 | Competitive | Existing commercial casinos automatically eligible for in-person sportsbook licenses; the first retail sportsbook opened December 9, 2021 at MGM National Harbor (BetMGM-branded), one of 5 initial retail sportsbooks to launch; Maryland was reported as the 11th state to launch legal sports betting that year. Md. Code, State Gov't § 9-1E-01 et seq. (ballot measure Question 2, Nov. 2020; enabling law Ch. 356, 2021 Laws of Maryland) [3],[4],[5] |
Tax rate
| Rate | Since | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20% OTHER (online) | Jul 1, 2026 | Permanent post-transition rate per the enrolled bill text; this is the rate most press coverage described simply as "15% to 20%."[6] |
| 15% OTHER (retail) | May 18, 2021 | [3] |
Rules
- Number of online sportsbooks live as of as_of date
- 12[1]
Licensed sportsbooks
| Operator | Brand | Channel | Status | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bally's Corporation | Bally Bet Sportsbook | Sports (online) | active | [1] |
| BetMGM | BetMGM | Sports (online) | active | [1],[7] |
| Caesars Entertainment | Caesars Sportsbook | Sports (online) | active | [1],[7] |
| Crab Sports | Crab Sports | Sports (online) | active | [1] |
| DraftKings | DraftKings Sportsbook | Sports (online) | active | [1] |
| Fanatics Betting and Gaming | Fanatics Sportsbook | Sports (online) | active | [1] |
| FanDuel | FanDuel Sportsbook | Sports (online) | active | [1],[7] |
| Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment | betPARX | Sports (online) | active | [1] |
| LetsBetMD | LetsBetMD | Sports (online) | active | [1] |
| BetMGM | BetMGM | Sports (retail) | active | [3],[4] |
| Caesars Entertainment | Caesars Sportsbook | Sports (retail) | active | [1],[7] |
| Churchill Downs Incorporated | TwinSpires | Sports (retail) | active | [1],[7] |
| DraftKings | DraftKings Sportsbook | Sports (retail) | active | [7] |
| Fanatics Betting and Gaming | Fanatics Sportsbook | Sports (retail) | active | [7] |
| FanDuel | FanDuel Sportsbook | Sports (retail) | active | [1],[7] |
| Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment | betPARX | Sports (retail) | active | [7] |
Pending bills
- SB708 Sports Wagering - Independent Evaluation of Sports Wagering Content - Required · Passed legislature, Apr 7, 2025
All gambling laws in Maryland → · Sports betting in every state →
Sources
- Legal vs. Illegal Online Gaming · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- Seven Mobile Sportsbooks Begin Operations In Maryland · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- Where the Money Goes · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- Maryland Lottery · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- Maryland Sports Betting Turns In Modest First Revenue Report · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- House Bill 352 (2025) -- Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025, enrolled bill text · retrieved Oct 10, 2026
- Five Sportsbook Operators Are Cleared to Operate in Md. Casinos... Someday · retrieved Oct 10, 2026