Maryland sports wagering market had its best month in March, as the 10 retail and eight mobile sportsbooks combined to generate a single-month record of $5.3 million in contributions to the state in taxes.
Since 2018, 36 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized some form of sports betting. Maryland launched retail sports betting at five casinos in December 2021. In November 2022, the state’s first seven online/mobile sportsbooks went live during Thanksgiving. As of the end of March, there were 10 retail locations and eight mobile operators in the state.
The tax payment in March is 89.9% more than the previous high of $2.7 million in February. Each sportsbook contributes 15% of its taxable win to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public education programs.
“There are a few events on the calendar that really drive sports wagering participation, and the NCAA basketball tournament every March is right at the top of that list,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin. “This was the first time that mobile wagering on March Madness was available in Maryland, and as our market continues to mature we’re pleased to see it generate a strong contribution to education funding.”
Combining retail and online sports wagering, Maryland handled a total of $385.9 million in bets during March with mobile handling accounting for 95.9% of the total at $370.2 million. Mobile wagering accounted for $5.1 million in contributions to the state during March, while retail sportsbooks contributed $198,953.
MGM Leads Retail Betting
MGM National Harbor generated the biggest retail handle in March at $5.2 million, paying out $4.4 million in winnings. Greenmount Off-Track Betting generated the lowest handle at $100,258.37, paying out $78,238.74 in winnings.
Live! Casino in Hanover was handed its first monthly loss in retail sports betting during March. The location handled $4.5 million in sports bets in March and paid out $4.7 million in winnings, making it the largest monthly brick-and-mortar loss in Maryland history. Live! Casino (formerly known as Maryland Live! Casino) opened in June 2012. The retail sportsbook at the casino is operated by FanDuel.
FanDuel Leads Online Betting
FanDuel fared better in online sports betting compared to its retail location at Live! Casino. The company’s online betting app was the leader in sports wagering for March. The sportsbook handled over $176 million in bets from Marylanders and paid out $151 million in winnings.
Betfred Sports Maryland had the lowest online sports handle for the month. The online wagering app recorded a handle of just over $1.1 million, paying out $994,120.06 in winnings.
Betfred announced in July 2022 they had entered into an agreement with Long Shot’s of Frederick to bring retail and online sports betting to Maryland.
Additional retail locations and mobile sportsbooks expected
A retail SuperBook Sports lounge has officially opened at Camden Yards, home of Major League Baseball Baltimore Orioles, but the location isn’t ready to take sports bets.
An online SuperBook Sports MD betting app will launch sometime this month, the company said in recent news reports. In the meantime, customers can use FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, or Caesars apps that are currently available in Maryland.
