It’s an exciting time to be a lover of professional sports and gambling in the United States of America. Following a change of heart in Washington DC with the long-running blanket ban on betting lifted, a growing number of states have legalised online gambling. More people in the US than ever before can now legally bet on famous sports competitions including the NFL, Premier League, MLB, NHL, and thoroughbred horse racing. Many of these gamblers opt to play through their desktop computers and smartphones.
The future is bright for sportsbook gamblers but that’s not to say it’s simple, not by anyone’s standards. Even experienced gamblers struggle to keep up with the industry. This uncertainty often leads to confusion and can even discourage some from placing a bet on their favourite sports, teams, and players. So, what are the rules regarding online sports betting in your region? This article aims to clear up the issues regarding gambling in the state of Maryland. Our team have done the homework needed to give you the latest and most reliable information.
In this article
Get up to speed on the rules
The aim of our team of sports betting experts is to bring you up to speed on the rules, laws, and advice on betting in Maryland. We also shine the spotlight on the direction betting is headed in the region and what you can expect in the months ahead. By the end of this page, you will have a strong grasp of what you can and can’t do, the options open to you and the best way to land a free bet using your Android or iOS smartphone.
We felt the best way to achieve this is by setting out this page in the style of a frequently asked question which should help to speed up the process of finding the information that best suits your needs. All the information relayed on this page is correct at the time of writing, but please keep in mind that the industry is always progressing and evolving.
Are sports betting legal in Maryland?
Sports betting is now legal in Maryland meaning you can gamble on the top professional sports, fixtures, and markets. There are dozens of sports available to bet on, including horse racing, greyhounds, soccer, American Football, tennis, and boxing. Each sport has a long list of competitions attached and you can wager on the winner of each or gamble on upcoming fixtures.
There’s, even more, to get excited about if betting on a fixture. Take a soccer match from the World Cup, for example. You’ll find over 100 pre-match and in-play markets available, including match winner, both teams to score, total goals, handicap, correct score, half time/full time and more. Bet on one game or add a few selections to one bet slip to create an exciting parlay.
Can I wager online?
At the time of writing, only in-person betting is legal in the United States. That means you must be present at a legal and licensed sportsbook or casino. Online betting isn’t yet legal in Maryland but the general feeling amongst industry insiders is that it’s just a matter of time.
It is hoped residents and visitors to Maryland will be permitted to gamble online by the start of the 2022/23 National Football League season which gets underway in September. That isn’t yet set in stone, but the signs are promising, and the idea has a strong backing. If bettors get their way, online gambling will be legal this year and will quickly pass in-person betting as the most popular method. A recent study of betting in the United States shows more wagers are placed on smartphones than desktop computers and land-based bookies combined.
How do I get a free bet?
When online gambling becomes legal in Maryland, the leading bookies will offer all new players a welcome bonus free bet. To get your share, all you must do is create an account using your smartphone, make a deposit using your debit card and place a qualifying bet.
The most popular type of welcome bonus is a deposit matched free bet. With this deal, the value of your free bet will be equal to your first deposit and wager. That means, the more you gamble on your first visit, the greater your free bet will be.
