Maryland is preparing to launch online sports betting, but when will Maryland online casino gaming be introduced?
Maryland is one of the next US states to launch online sports betting. This comes after being live at retail locations for about a year. The state joins Ohio as one of the front-runners for an imminent launch.
Optimistic people in the industry are saying customers will be able to bet online in a window that spans a week before or after Thanksgiving of this year. Below is what to expect when a launch date is decided, in addition to any plans that may be in place for a Maryland online casino betting launch.
DraftKings Sportsbook PRE LAUNCH
FanDuel Sportsbook PRE LAUNCH
What Sportsbook Operators Will Open in the State Of Maryland?
This is where things get fun. The state of Maryland is rumored to have 60 available licenses to give out to online sportsbook operators within the state.
As there is no confirmed launch date and so many licenses available to give out, sportsbook operators can prepare beforehand and just flip the switch when a date is decided. Sports betting operators will receive their online gambling licenses on a rolling basis. This means that some will get the benefit of being ‘first’ before others open.
This is beneficial to sportsbook customers, as there will be a plethora of welcome and sign-up bonuses to accept over a length of time that is unusual compared to other state launches. For example:
- DraftKings Sportsbook Maryland are offering a pre-launch offer which includes $200 in free bets plus entry into a $100k Sweepstakes
- FanDuel Sportsbook MD are giving those who sign up pre-launch $100 in free bets
DraftKings Sportsbook PRE LAUNCH
FanDuel Sportsbook PRE LAUNCH
Anyway, we’re here to give you more information surrounding Maryland online casino gambling. So let’s get stuck in.
Maryland Casino History
Maryland casinos were legalized back in 2008 and took their first casino bets in 2010. Offering the usual spread of video slot machines, table games and poker rooms, Maryland land-based casinos serve their customers with a strong experience and variety. But, people will not mistake it for the overwhelming options provided by somewhere like Las Vegas, Nevada.
Maryland Online Casino Timetable
Online casino gambling is not legal in Maryland. There is no immediate timetable to move forward with online casino legislation. However, people within the state lines must be encouraged by the retail sportsbook revenue for the past year or so.
If the retail sportsbook revenue and the newly implemented online sportsbook revenue are both beneficial to the state’s finances, one can assume there will be little opposition towards the legalization of online casino in the state of Maryland.
The state is currently focused on opening online sportsbook to their people. Then, once the smoke clears from the initial opening, it is possible lawmakers can turn their focus to getting online casino operators up and running as well. For now, Maryland online casino players can play slots, table games and poker for free at a variety of sweepstakes casinos.
Maryland Land-Based Casinos Information
There are currently seven land-based Maryland casinos that accept sports bets:
| Sportsbook | Location |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Horseshoe Casino, Baltimore |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Live! Casino & Hotel, Hanover |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | MGM National Harbor, Forest Heights |
| TwinSpires Sportsbook | Ocean Downs Casino, Worcester County |
| PointsBet Sportsbook | Riverboat on the Potomac, Colonial Beach, VA |
| Barstool Sportsbook | Hollywood Casino, Perryvile |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Bingo World, Baltimore |
It is easy to see how companies with already established land-based casinos will have the easiest path to a quick and successful online sportsbook launch. The Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore is operated by Caesars, one of the largest gambling operators in the United States. Caesars also has a partnership with the Baltimore Ravens for this retail location, so expect a seamless transition into the mobile world.
The same goes for FanDuel Sportsbook and the Live! Casino & Hotel retail location in Hanover. With their high market share across the United States and growing retail presence, it would be a surprise to see FanDuel fall flat to be one of the stronger competitors that launches in the state.
BetMGM also has a retail partnership with the Baltimore Ravens at their MGM National Harbor location and is expected to have signage inside the Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium. They, like Caesars and FanDuel, should be a major player when a launch date is provided.
