Legal Maryland Sports Betting Sites
Legal Maryland sports betting sites are not as elusive as many think. It all comes down to finding a site that accepts MD residents, has a trustworthy reputation, and is known for reliable banking. Thousands of sports fans in the state are using offshore sportsbooks because of their added benefits and convenience. Residents can take the 1.5-hour drive to Delaware to bet on NFL parlays, but a trip to Nevada is required should you want to wager on other sports. Though MD is home to the Baltimore Ravens, fans also want to bet on the Baltimore Orioles and Maryland Terrapins. Online sportsbooks give sports enthusiasts the option to bet on all of the major professional teams and NCAA sports.
Choosing the best legal betting sites for Maryland does require some research, but that is where we come in. Learning more about Maryland sports betting laws will give you a better understanding of why residents have the option of using legal Maryland sports betting sites. Becoming familiar with the federal sports betting laws will explain why the sports betting industry in the US is in its current state. Once you learn all of the most pertinent legal information, you will confident in using the internet to bet on sports in MD.
Maryland Sports Betting Laws
Maryland sports betting laws are technically nonexistent, but state legislators are looking to make this change. If you explore the Maryland Code as it currently stands, there is no mention of betting on sporting events. Up until this point, the state had taken a backseat to sports betting legislation, allowing the federal government to take control. Now that PASPA is overturned, Michigan will have to continue discussing the possibility.
The most recent discussion came in the 2019 legislative session when MI HB 4311 and MI SB 186 were filed into session. Neither of these bills went very far in the committee meetings, but they gave us a good scope of what legislators are looking to do. These would authorize sports betting through land-based and mobile betting platforms within the state.
Federal Laws That Impact Maryland Sports Betting
There are federal laws that impact Maryland sports betting in several ways. Some of the laws have restricted land-based sports betting, while others do not have as much of a direct impact. For example, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) is a banking law that prevents U.S. financial institutions from processing payments related to unregulated online gaming. Though the law does not specifically mention sports betting, it can make it more difficult to have credit card deposits processed as card systems are one of the five designated payment systems outlined in the law.
The Wire Act of 1961 is an older federal law, but it still impacts the sports betting industry today. The Act makes it illegal for those in the business of sports betting to use wire communication facilities to accept sports bets, or relay information related to sporting events. The federal law was enacted by the 87th United States Congress as one of several antiracketeering laws. Though the law may have been justifiable during the time period, the term “wire communication” has now been interpreted to include the internet. This particular law is part of why you will not find sports betting sites that operate from the U.S. The Wire Act, like all federal sports betting laws, targets businesses and not those placing sports bets.
What Is PASPA?
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) is a federal law that outlaws sports betting in the U.S. When the law was written, it included a clause that would exempt any state that had already legalized sports betting prior to the October 28, 1992 effective date of the law. Additionally, any state that had legal casinos for at least 10 years prior could also enact sports betting laws within a one-year window of the effective date. Montana, Oregon, and Delaware were exempt due to their sports lotteries, and Nevada was exempt for its sports pools.
These four states are the only places in the US where land-based sports betting is legal. Of the four states, Delaware offers NFL parlay cards and Nevada offers single-game wagering. Montana and Oregon do not currently permit sports betting. Maryland, like most states, cannot legally establish brick and mortar sportsbooks due to the law.
What Is The GAME Act?
The GAME Act is a proposed bill that would lift the nationwide ban on sports betting. The full title of the bill announced by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) is the Gaming Accountability and Modernization Enhancement (GAME) Act. In addition to a full repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, the GAME Act would grant each state full control of the types of gambling permitted within their respective state. This means each state would be able to legalize land-based and/or online sports betting at their own discretion. Should the congressional bill be passed, all states would have the option to offer the same type of full-scale sports betting that is currently only available in Nevada.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Maryland?
Online sports betting is legal in Maryland as the state does not have any laws that prohibit its use. The state has not introduced or enacted any legislation that would make using offshore sports betting problematic for a recreational bettor. The state has been against operators that have entered the market, but there are no laws that target individual sports bettors. Even if Maryland moves forward with their own online betting platform, the offshore betting sites will provide better odds and opportunities to make more money. They will not have to follow any state or federal regulations, unlike the local books.
Mobile Sports Betting Apps For Maryland Bettors
The mobile sports betting apps for Maryland bettors make betting on the Orioles and other teams even more convenient. You can take your entire sportsbook with you wherever go and easily make deposits, place wagers, or request payouts. All of the same sports and betting options are available from your device.
Most sites will not require an actual app download but instead have a mobile-friendly version of their legal Maryland sports betting site. The sites are optimized for mobile and will work on iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry devices. Mobile sports betting offers MD bettors the most flexibility when putting money on the Ravens and other teams.
What Is The Legal Age To Gamble In Maryland?
The legal age to gamble in Maryland is 21 years old. Once you are at least 21 years of age, you can bet on sports at any legal Maryland sports betting site. The minimum age requirements may vary from book-to-book because these sites are operated overseas, but players should always abide by the legal MD sports betting age. It is written within the terms and conditions of each site that players must be of legal gambling age, otherwise, you risk account suspension or permanent termination.
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Maryland Sports Betting FAQ's
Are Online Sportsbooks Safe To Use If You Live In Maryland?
Online sportsbooks are safe to use if you live in Maryland, granted you use a reputable site. As long as you are betting on the Terps at a legal Maryland sports betting site that is based offshore, you will be perfectly fine. All of these sites have secure banking options to ensure that your deposits are fast and payouts are reliable. Financial information is encrypted, and your account credentials are confidential. Online sports betting sites provide a safe betting environment.
Has Anyone Been Arrested For Sports Betting In Maryland?
There is no history of anyone getting arrested for sports betting in Maryland. Considering the lack of laws against online sports betting, we do not see this changing anytime soon. Most laws are focused on punishing operators, not the casual bettor looking to place a bet on the Baltimore Ravens using an online sportsbook.
What Should I Do If My Bank Didn't Process My Credit Or Debit Card Deposit?
If your bank did not process your credit or debit card, you still may be able to make a credit card deposit. The UIGEA does cause payments to be blocked from time to time, but that is why legal Maryland sports betting sites use more than one processor. If your card was declined, you can try again later in the day and it may go through. Additionally, verify that you have correctly entered the card number. Many times, something as simple as being off on the expiration date will cause the card to decline. If all else fails, you can use an alternative method such as a prepaid card or Bitcoin.
What Is The Best Way To Fund Your Sports Betting Account?
The best way to fund your sports betting account is with the fastest and most reliable method there is – Bitcoin. The cryptocurrency makes it easy to fund your account with as little or as much BTC as you want. You only need to specify the amount you would like to send in the online cashier, obtain the sportsbook BTC wallet address, and transfer funds from your wallet. Within minutes, your sportsbook account will be credited and you can start betting on the Ravens. There are no fees for making BTC deposits, and there are typically lower minimums and higher maximums with compared to other methods.
Do Online Sports Betting Sites Have Odds On Football?
Online sports betting sites have plenty of odds on football, which is one of the most popular sports in Maryland. You can bet on the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins, or any other team that you root for. Legal Maryland sports betting sites have betting lines on NFL and NCAA football. Some of the betting options include money lines, totals, point spreads, teasers, and parlays. You can’t forget about NFL props and futures, with odds to win the Super Bowl or odds on who will win MVP.
What Is Live Betting?
Live betting is the most exciting way to bet on the Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore Ravens, and all of your other favorite teams. Online sportsbooks will post live betting odds after each play of the game or match, allowing you to bet in real-time. There are hundreds of scenarios that can come up during an event, which gives you more opportunities to wager and win cash. Some of the betting options include adjusted team totals, money lines, game totals, player props, even or odd props, full-time results, quarter lines, and more.
Do Legal Maryland Online Sportsbooks Have Live Betting?
All of the top legal Maryland online sportsbooks have live betting options. You can place bets live during all of the biggest events in sports, such as the Super Bowl and March Madness. Legal Maryland sports betting sites will have a page dedicated to live betting, where you can view current and upcoming events for the day. Additionally, you may be able to plan out your live betting for the week with a calendar that shows future events. Some online sportsbooks such as BetOnline.ag and SportsBetting.ag will occasionally offer free bets for using the live betting platform.
Can I Have More Than One Online Sportsbook Account?
You can have more than online sportsbook account at different legal Maryland sports betting sites. Having multiple accounts has several benefits that will help you maximize your profits. One sportsbook may have a team at -105 odds while another has the same team and game at -120. This is called shopping lines and is highly recommended for beginner or experienced gamblers. Why would you potentially leave money on the table just by not researching your best odds?
Betting On Horse Racing In Maryland
Betting on horse racing in Maryland is quite popular for locals and tourists. This is because Baltimore is the home of the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. The historic Pimlico Race Course has been the host of the iconic race since 1873 and has seen legends like Secretariat and American Pharoah grace its 1 3⁄16 mile track. Aside from Pimlico, Laurel Park, Rosecroft Raceway, Ocean Downs, and the Maryland State Fair (Timonium) also have live racing.
Horse enthusiasts also use legal Maryland horse racing betting sites for betting the ponies. You can bet on races happening at horse tracks all over the world without having to step a foot out your front door. The same horse bets you’d place at Pimlico can be placed at online racebooks, such as straight bets or exotics like exactas, trifectas, superfectas, pick 3’s, and pick 6’s. There are even mobile racebooks that allow you to wager from your smartphone or tablet.
The Status Of Daily Fantasy Sports In Maryland
The status of daily fantasy sports in Maryland is that it is 100% legal. Though the state enacted a DFS law in 2012, it lacked the legal clarity that state lawmakers felt was necessary. In January of 2017, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced new regulationsthat included consumer protections and age requirements for daily fantasy operators in the state. Unlike other DFS legislation that has been passed around the nation, MD does not charge a licensing fee or direct tax. Another key point is that new users have an initial deposit limit of $1,000 that can eventually be increased. Major DFS sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel are available for Maryland sports fans to play as long as the participant is 18 or older.