Maryland online sports betting will officially begin on Wednesday, Nov. 23.
As many as seven Maryland sportsbooks could go live next week, state gaming regulators said Thursday. The announcement comes almost exactly 24 hours after the first wave of mobile sports wagering licenses were awarded Wednesday morning.
Maryland sports betting apps to launch Nov. 23
Although in-person sports gambling has been available for nearly 11 months, Marylanders have waited over two years to legally place online sports bets. Maryland is the 22nd state (plus Washington D.C.) to offer online sports betting following a landmark 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
The much-anticipated launch comes one day before the NFL’s three Thanksgiving games and two days ahead of a World Cup match between the United States and England. The Baltimore Ravens are playing at Jacksonville four days after launch on Nov. 27 in a game that will be among the early betting highlights for Maryland online customers.
Initial launch could include up to 7 sportsbooks
The debut of online sports betting in Maryland could feature up to seven sportsbook apps:
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Barstool Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sportsbook
Maryland Lottery Assistant Communications Director Seth Elkin said that, ideally, the goal is to have all seven of those sports betting apps up and running come Nov. 23:
“We’ll be working closely with those seven operators over the next few days to ensure that everything goes smoothly so that all seven get the green light on Wednesday.”
However, this will ultimately depend on each sportsbook’s ability to successfully complete all outstanding operational requirements within that timeframe.
On Friday, DraftKings Sportsbook said “following a mandatory early access test period from November 21-22” and “pending regulatory approval” it will go live in Maryland on Nov. 23.
“With an active sports season currently underway, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to launch our top-rated sportsbook app in Maryland,” Matt Kalish, DraftKings co-founder and DK North America president, said in a statement.
Three MD sportsbook apps to remain at the starting line
Three of the 10 sportsbooks approved by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission on Wednesday have confirmed they will not be ready for launch in time. Those sports betting apps are:
- Betfred Sportsbook
- BetParx Sportsbook
- Fanatics Sportsbook
During a Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency meeting on Thursday, Director John A. Martin noted:
“In our initial finding, three of our licensees have advised us that they will not be ready next week for the launch. And those three are specifically LongShot’s, Greenmount OTP and the Maryland Stadium Sub. Those three entities, while awarded licenses yesterday, will not be ready, as they have told us, for next week’s launch. We will proceed with the other seven licensees with the intent to launch on Wednesday, Nov. 23.” (29:50)
Martin said regulators hope to announce a specific launch time for Wednesday early next week.
In the meantime, several operators have announced pre-launch bonuses for Maryland customers that are available now.
What 2023 looks like for Maryland sports betting
Since Dec. 9, 2021, nearly $280 million has been legally wagered at land-based sportsbooks in Maryland. Operators have reported about $36.6 million in revenue and the state has collected just over $5.4 million in taxes.
Maryland’s sports betting market will grow substantially with the addition of mobile apps. The state’s consultants, Spectrum Gaming Group and Taft Law Firm, shared estimates of online sports betting generating $26.4 million in tax revenue in 2023. Ultimately, those figures skyrocket to $99.7 million in yearly tax revenue by 2027.
However, PlayMaryland’s sports betting projections suggest a more robust first year for state coffers. Bettors are likely to wager nearly $4 billion in the first year alone, meaning the state could be welcoming in closer to $72 million in tax revenue in 2023.
Taxes from online sports gambling are directed to Maryland schools and education programs throughout the state.
