Maryland gambling law currently provides for a number of regulated gambling markets, including traditional casino gaming. Early Maryland was built on gaming revenue. As in other colonies, Maryland needed to raise money quickly to build infrastructure, and raffles and lottery-style games, were part of Maryland’s early history.
An increased interest in revenue from commercial gaming has prevailed in Maryland with lotteries, casino games, legalization of slot and video poker machines and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) all becoming legal in the last 10-15 years.
In May 2020, the Maryland Sports Bill became law and the state put a vote to the public on a ballot referendum in November 2020. Voters overwhelmingly approved the measure, and in 2021, Maryland’s first sportsbook opened. Just before Thanksgiving in 2022, Maryland approved online sportsbooks with several big names joining the roster. Now Maryland fans can bet from the comfort of their own home using their phones or other portable device in the same style as the best sports betting sites for New Jersey.