Setting the Stage: Maryland’s Ambitious Sports Betting Legislation of 2021

By Matt Speakman,
Betting Expert at online-gambling.com

Matt Speakman Betting Expert at online-gambling.com

A die-hard fan of the Patriots, Matt Speakman is an expert on everything related to sports betting and DFS sites. Over the years, he has proven a valuable asset for our team at online-gambling.com. You can find Speakman's professional tips and tricks in any of his many articles on the website.

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Last updated: September 30, 2023

Maryland lawmakers established the groundwork for a flourishing sports betting sector after a landslide Maryland Senate vote in 2020. Up to thirty licenses for retail sportsbooks and an extra sixty licenses for online sports betting companies were approved by the Act. These licenses were given to horse racetracks, sports arenas, and off-track betting shops in addition to conventional casinos, giving prospective operators a wide range of alternatives. The Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) has the authority to grant up to 107 sports betting licenses in total. But right now, Maryland only has twelve physical sportsbooks and twelve internet sportsbooks.

Representative Jason Buckel of Allegany County has expressed worries regarding the sites of these sportsbooks. He contends that because the majority of the state’s physical sports betting facilities are located in cities and other heavily populated locations, some regions are underserved. The Eastern Shore is one area that doesn’t have enough access to sportsbooks. Buckel noted that many places, especially on the Eastern Shore, have restricted access to sportsbooks. Among the 1.1 million residents in Montgomery County, there is only one sportsbook. The state is full with these underprivileged areas.

Even though sports betting online is becoming more and more common, physical sportsbooks are still in high demand. Bettors can have a more social and anonymous experience when they wager at physical venues. Furthermore, some people favor brick-and-mortar sportsbooks over internet ones because they think the ease of online betting could result in harmful gambling habits. Therefore, increasing the number of physical sportsbooks available can accommodate a wide variety of bettor preferences.

Addressing the Gaps: Delegate Buckel’s Concerns and the Need for Inclusive Access

In August, it was noted that mobile betting platforms dominated with over $250.3 million in bets, while retail sportsbooks contributed only $13.4 million of the over $263.7 million wagered in the state. When it came to winnings, online operators fared better than retail bettors, taking home nearly 10% of wagers, or $24.4 million, while oddsmakers kept 3.5% of the action, or $474,000. Maryland levies a 15% tax on gross sports betting earnings for both brick-and-mortar and internet sportsbooks. The money collected goes toward funding public education for students in grades K–12.

Delegate Buckel will have several obstacles in his quest for additional Maryland retail sportsbooks. According to John Martin, director of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, there was only one bidding time permitted by the state’s sports betting laws, and the application window ended on October 21, 2022. As things stand, the law does not provide for a second enrolment period for prospective operators of sportsbooks.

Navigating Hurdles: Obstacles to Additional Retail Sportsbooks in Maryland

Operators looking to enter the Maryland market are not showing any substantial interest at this time, according to Randy Marriner, a member of SWARC and the chair of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.

Maryland’s sports betting sector is still in its infancy, according to state gaming authorities, and they foresee potential market consolidation. The rivalry for market share is intense because there are currently 12 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks and 12 internet sports wagering sites operating. In addition to allowing smaller online sportsbook operators like Betfred, Crab Sports Maryland, and BetParx, Maryland has drawn major companies like BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars Sportsbook.