Legal sports betting in Maryland is up and running. As the latest state in the legal US sports betting industry to go live, three of Maryland’s six casinos have opened a retail sportsbook in their facilities.
Plans are moving forward to add online sports betting in Maryland through mobile sportsbook apps. However, the only game in town these days is retail betting at MGM National Harbor, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, and Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland.
Governor Hogan Places First Legal Bet
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan had the honor of placing the first legal sports bet in the state. This took place at MGM National Harbor on Thursday, Dec. 9. He wagered $50 on a futures parlay that the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens would play the Washington Football Team in Super Bowl LVI.
The Ravens’ odds to win the AFC at BetMGM were +700 at the time. The odds that Washington would win the NFC were +5000. By combining the two futures bets into a parlay, the potential payout would be more than $20,000.
The long odds on that wager would produce quite the payday for the Governor. Hogan was instrumental in bringing legal sports betting to the state. It has been a long and arduous process that goes back to a successful voter referendum in the November 2020 general election.
In a slip of the tongue, Governor Hogan announced his bet as follows:
“This is a win-win for Maryland. This is a big day here at MGM in Maryland. This is going to be a really long shot, but it’s a big win. This is the Washington Redskins to win the NFC. Baltimore Ravens to win the AFC. So an all-Maryland Super Bowl out in LA.”
The Governor had to be reminded that Washington dropped Redskins as its team name ahead of the 2020 NFL season. However, it was still a great day for sports bettors all across Maryland.
Also at the ceremony was former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann. A spokesperson for the governor implied that his presence may have conjured up memories of Washington’s glory days as a Super Bowl Champion.
Future Maryland Sports Betting Expansion
There are actually six land-based casinos across the state. Hollywood Casino Perryville and Ocean Downs in Worchester are in the process of adding sports betting to their gaming mix. However, there is no set time frame for opening their retail sportsbook.
The sixth casino is in the western part of the state. Rocky Gap Casino & Resort does not have any current plans to add a sportsbook to its gaming venue.
The real sports betting action in the state will begin when online sportsbooks are able to launch their mobile apps. That process has been delayed longer than expected.
The necessary regulatory issues are being addressed and the procedure to issue licenses is being established. However, no fixed date has been set to go live.
The expansion of the retail segment will also include in-state horse racing tracks as well as professional sports facilities. The Ravens play at M&T Bank Stadium while the MLB’s Baltimore Orioles’ home field is Camden Yards.
