Maryland online sports betting will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday.
The lame-duck governor also ripped the lengthy process in a short press conference, in which the confirmation of the launch of seven Maryland online sportsbooks was confirmed.
Maryland reveals online sports betting launch time & sportsbooks
The seven sportsbooks launching Wednesday are:
- DraftKings Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sportsbook
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- Barstool Sportsbook
Hogan announced the much-anticipated start of legal online sports betting alongside state Lottery & Gaming Director John Martin on Tuesday morning.
Marylanders have waited more than two years between voting to legalize all forms of sports betting to actually being able to place an online wager. Hogan signed Maryland sports betting into law in May 2021 and casino sportsbooks started taking in-person action in December 2021.
Bettors then got an initial taste of the action on Monday during an eight-hour soft launch period open to the Maryland public.
Online sports betting brings big bucks
Online sports betting is expected to generate millions of dollars, both for gambling operators and state coffers. Maryland taxes online sports betting revenue at 15% with proceeds earmarked for education funding.
The state estimates tax collections of nearly $30 million in 2023 and as much as $100 million by 2027. PlayMaryland is projecting the state could collect roughly $75 million in the first year.
In-person sports betting has generated slightly more than $5.4 million in 11 months.
More online sportsbooks coming
In addition to the seven online sportsbooks going live on Nov. 23, three other operators are on deck to launch. Betfred Sportsbook, BetParx Sportsbook and Fanatics Sportsbook are licensed in Maryland but, for undisclosed reasons, told state regulators they were not yet ready to start.
Martin, the state’s top gaming regulator, said his staff was “working closely with all three to guide them through the operation requirements they must complete before being given clearance to launch.”
There are 11 online sports betting license applications pending, Martin said Tuesday. Three of those might be deemed qualified by the state Lottery & Gaming Control Commission on Dec. 1. The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission could then award online operating licenses on Dec. 14.
By year’s end, Maryland may have as many as 13 online sportsbooks.
“We anticipate by late spring, early summer of 2023, prior to the kickoff of the next football season, the Maryland market will include up to 21 mobile (sports betting) entities,” Martin said.
Gov. Hogan: Launch delays ‘inexcusable,’ ‘unacceptable’
On Tuesday, the governor reiterated his frustration with the lengthy process of implementing online sports betting, characterizing the delays as “inexcusable and completely unacceptable.”
“This process took longer than it should have. But we’re excited that this launch is in time for fans to place their bets on all the Thanksgiving Day NFL action, college football rivalry weekend, this week’s slate of NBA games, (the) 2022 World Cup, and this Sunday’s (Baltimore) Ravens and (Washington) Commanders games.”
Maryland joins list of states to add online sports betting
Maryland is the 22nd state (plus Washington D.C.) to offer online sports betting since 2018.
Several online sportsbooks announced pre-launch bonuses for Maryland customers that are available now.
Ohio, which will launch online, retail and kiosk sports betting on Jan. 1, will be the next state on the clock.
