(3/12) Maryland, the Old Line State, is experiencing rapid growth in the online gambling space. MD legalized sports betting in 2020 through ballot voting. It then expanded the industry to include mobile betting in 2022.
This year, legislators are trying to legalize online casinos through an election. There are signs the move could become successful by the end of 2024. If it does, MD could turn into one of the top iGaming markets in the country.
Interestingly, the Old Line State Maryland was a serious online casino provider rivaling Nevada during the 1950s and 1960s.
Unfortunately, the government banned online casino games outside of Nevada in 1968. Now, the state is determined to bring back legal iGaming. Stick around to learn everything you should know about the booming online gambling space in Maryland.
Maryland's $1.5B Sports Betting Industry
Maryland's sports betting industry generated $1.5 billion in 2023. Each of the state's casinos and mobile betting apps parted with 15% of their gross revenue as tax.
As we stated, Maryland legalized sports betting four years ago through a ballot vote that had overwhelming success. It took the state two years to permit mobile betting.
Mobile betting is the biggest revenue generator in the state accounting for over 60% of all bets placed in the state. You can bet through 11 online betting apps or visit any of the state's retail casinos.
This might seem obvious to some, but Maryland sportsbooks support all the major sports and leagues. That means you can wager on NFL football, the NBA, hockey, baseball or Major League Soccer.
That's not all. These bookies also offer tennis, golf, boxing/MMA and college sports. Depending on the site, you might also have the option to bet on foreign sports competitions such as the English Premier League and Indian cricket.
Offshore Casinos are Available in MD
Although the Old Line State is yet to legalize online casinos, casino fans in Maryland have been playing online slots and poker for years. Players bet at offshore casinos located in Curacao, Panama and Costa Rica.
Maryland has no jurisdictional power over offshore casinos. This means foreign casinos can offer their services in the state without prosecution. The state doesn't go after players, either.
You can play your favorite casino games at top Maryland gambling sites with peace of mind. That said, foreign casinos aren't created equal. Choose a reputable site with quality slots, a live dealer casino, sweet bonuses and fast payouts.
Pay a lot of attention to a site's payout speed. Everyone wants to withdraw their profits fast. Yet, this isn't possible if you choose a casino known for slow payouts.
Another factor to consider is an operator's terms and conditions. For example, check the minimum you can deposit or terms you must fulfill before you can turn a bonus into cash. Choose a site with fair bonus, deposit and cashout terms.
Social Casinos in Maryland
Maryland casino fans not ready to play real-money slots have another option. They can play social casino games at dozens of sweepstake sites in the state. Sweepstake casinos feature two types of coins: gold coins and sweepstake coins.
You can use gold coins to bet on slots and table games like blackjack and roulette all for fun. You can't win real money with these coins. Sweepstake coins offer you a chance to win real cash prizes.
When playing slots at a sweepstake casino, you're not required to link your credit card or place real money bets. In fact, most casinos welcome you with free gold and sweepstake coins.
While you're not obligated to spend money at a sweepstake casino, most of these sites also sell sweepstake coins. As mentioned, sweep coins allow you to win real money cash prizes.
Why is Online Gambling Booming in Maryland?
Maryland's growing interest in online gambling can be attributed to several factors. Below are some of them:
Legalization in Neighboring States
Three of the four states that neighbor Maryland-Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia-all permit sports betting and casino gaming. Virginia is the only exception; it supports sports betting but not slots and other games of chance.
Every month, thousands of slots and poker-loving people cross state borders to play these games in nearby states. Owing to that backdrop, the number of people who want casino betting to be legalized in MD is growing.
Besides, the 2020 election proved that Maryland is ready for legal gambling. Back then, more than 65% of voters backed a bill legalizing sports betting. A recent poll shows voters are willing to endorse Internet gambling come this November. But only time will tell if this will succeed.
Casino Bonuses and Promotions
Another reason fueling the growth of online gambling in MD is the avalanche of betting freebies availed to new customers. Virtually every casino and sportsbook in the state has a promotion targeting new players.
Sportsbooks welcome you with a free bet on your favorite slot. If you win, they take back their stake and you keep the profits. Some of them also match your first deposit 100%.
Online casinos have the same bonuses. They match your first deposit 100%. Some of them add you slot free spins. And if you prefer to play table games, they can give you a special live casino bonus.
Mobile Casinos
In this age of smartphones, accessing a mobile casino in Maryland has become easy. This is especially possible thanks to the influx of sweepstake casinos and offshore gambling sites operating in the state.
A mobile casino is convenient to many people. For starters, 90% of adults in MD own smartphones. Secondly, you can access your mobile betting site while in any corner of the world.
Mobile casinos offer hundreds of slots and table games. Most of them also support live dealer games, meaning you can use these apps to play poker with friends in real time.
The Explosion of Sports Betting
Sports betting is huge in Maryland and everywhere else in the country. The Supreme Court legalized this sector in 2018. Since then, nearly 40 states have legalized it.
The huge interest in sports betting across the country comes with tremendous benefits to states like Maryland. From tax to job creation, the Old Line State's economy has benefited from legal betting. Now, it aims to increase its revenues by legalizing Internet gambling.
