Top 10 Sports Gambling Sites
Choosing where to bet on sports online in the USA is tough. Not all online sportsbooks can be trusted, which is a problem when you’re betting for real money. There are some safe options, though, and we’ve identified the best of them.
Based on extensive research by our team of sports gambling experts, these are the best US betting sites in 2021.
Rank | DE Betting Site | Exclusive Bonus | Get Started | |
---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Betway Sports | Up To€150 | Visit Site | Visit Site |
#2 | 22Bet Sports | 100% Up To€122 | Visit Site | Visit Site |
#3 | Spin Sports | 100% Up To€200 | Visit Site | Visit Site |
#4 | 10Bet Sports | 100% Up To€50 | Visit Site | Visit Site |
#5 | Guts Sports | 100% Up To€50 | Visit Site | Visit Site |
Our list of the top sports betting sites for the USA is relatively short. That’s because we’re serious about only showing the very best options to our readers. We compare hundreds of real money betting sites every year, and only a few meet the extremely high standards that we set.
Bet365 Online Betting: this is definitely one of the most known and leading names in the world of sports betting! This site has a huge range of different sports and events you can wager your money on.
As an absolute minimum, online betting sites must meet the following criteria to be listed here.
- MyBookie is one of the newest top online sports betting sites in the market. It was established in 2014 in Costa Rica and is fast growing to compete with other older bet staking sites. The minimum online wager on MyBookie is $10 and the maximum is $1000. For mobile wagers, however, there are no limits.
- Gambling.site lists the best online casinos, poker rooms and sports betting sites based on their reputation with online gamblers. In order for any gambling site to be listed here they must have a legal gambling.
- Properly licensed to offer regulated and legal online sports betting
- Demonstrably safe for US bettors
- Owned and managed by trusted and reputable operators
Of course, the best betting sites go way beyond meeting just the minimum requirements. They offer fast payouts when you win, the best odds for your real money wagers, and excellent bonuses. And much more, too.
Can you simply trust our rankings and join one of our recommended betting websites right now? Absolutely. We’ve been reviewing real money gambling sites and ranking them in different categories for many years, and we have a solid reputation for providing honest and accurate information.
With that said, we’re still going to back our claims and explain what we look for when ranking the top US betting sites. On this page you will discover why the sportsbooks and bookmakers we recommend are genuinely the best sites for betting on sports online.
Best Sports Betting Sites Ranked for 2021
Before we get into the detail of how compile and maintain our rankings of the best betting sites, let’s start with some information on the sites we currently recommend. First, here are a few of the things we like most about each of the top sports betting sites.
- Bovada: Excellent reputation, juicy promotions, huge variety of sports and leagues
- MyBookie: Very user friendly and some of the quickest payouts around
- BetOnline: High betting limits, excellent welcome bonus, fast payouts
- BetNow: Lots of markets and consistently high odds
- SportsBetting.ag: Plenty of payment options, speedy withdrawals, great bonuses
That’s just a very small taste of what these top sports gambling websites have to offer American bettors. We provide thorough reviews of all the sites we recommend (and some that we don’t), so that you can find out everything you need to know before deciding where to join.
Here’s some further information about each of our top-rated US sports betting sites.
- Welcome Bonus: $250
- Established: 2011
- Min. deposit: $10
- Average Payout Time: 4-7 days
Bovada is one of the oldest and most trusted US betting sites. The company has been online since 1998 and has built quite the reputation as one of the safest betting sites for the USA. They offer poker and casino games as well as sports betting.
If you open Bovada’s website, you will see that all popular competitions like the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and more are available, as well as a bunch of other sports and tournaments of a lower profile.
The betting odds here are among the highest on the internet, and the limits should satisfy everyone. This is definitely one of the best sports betting sites for high rollers, but low stakes bettors are also welcome.
Another perk of joining Bovada is the large number of special betting offers. Each new player can start with a welcome bonus of up to $250 and keep earning with other regular promotions from the bookmaker.
MyBookie – Our #2 Rated Online Betting Site
- Welcome Bonus: $1,000
- Established: 2014
- Min. deposit: $25
- Average Payout Time: 1-2 days
Ever since entering the market in 2014, MyBookie has been among the best sports betting sites for the United States. The bookmaker offers all kinds of sports and competitions. The list of betting markets for each one is also impressive, so the customers have plenty of options for trying to win money.
MyBookie is one of the best sports gambling websites in terms of interface and navigation, both on desktop and on mobile devices like iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
The other advantages are the many payment options, the juicy promotions for both new and existing customers, and the fast payouts. Simply put, MyBookie is one of the best online sports betting sites that accepts customers from the USA.
BetOnline – Our #3 Rated USA Sports Betting Site
- Welcome Bonus: $1,000
- Established: 2004
- Min. deposit: $10
- Average Payout Time: 3-10 days
If you have been betting on sports on the internet for any length of time, you’ve probably heard about BetOnline. This is one of the best online betting sites in the US for numerous reasons.
First of all, the sportsbook offers one of the top welcome bonuses available to sports bettors in the United States. You can get up to $1,000 on your first deposit. When you’re done with the initial bonus, there are plenty of other BetOnline promotions that will help you earn more.
The extra money you get can be used to bet on plenty of sports, and the betting odds are among the highest you can find on the web.
You can fund your BetOnline account using a lot of different options, including credit and debit cards, e-wallets, and even crypto. The payouts are fast and secure, which makes the sportsbook one of the most trusted sports gambling websites for the USA.
BetNow – Our #4 Rated Online Sports Betting Site
- Welcome Bonus: $500
- Established: 2016
- Min. deposit: $20
- Average Payout Time: 1-10 days
One of the top sports betting sites for the US right now is BetNow. This online sportsbook is licensed in Curacao, so you know it’s legit.
As you’d expect from any of the best sports betting sites, BetNow offers an intuitive user interface that will help you easily browse through the large number of sports and events covered.
If you want to take a look for yourself, BetNow has one of the top betting bonuses for US players and plenty of other promotions that offer a lot of extra value.
Furthermore, the bookmaker has excellent customer support service and a great betting app. The whole experience is smooth on all platforms, and this is easily one of the best online sportsbooks in terms of usability.
SportsBetting.ag – Our #5 Rated Place to Bet Sports Online
- Welcome Bonus: $1,000
- Established: 2003
- Min. deposit: $20
- Average Payout Time: 3-10 days
A genuine veteran in online sports gambling is SportsBetting.ag. It was launched in 2003 and has been working with US players ever since. SportsBetting.ag’s license is from Panama, which is one of the safest options when it comes to USA betting sites.
The sportsbook has a huge welcome bonus of up to $1,000 that can be used on the many sports and events that are available for wagering on. We’d put this book among the very best sports gambling sites when it comes to betting offers.
You can enjoy sports betting online not only on desktop but on mobile devices, too. SportsBetting.ag offers a wide variety of payment options to each customer from the USA, including Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The deposits are instant, and the withdrawals are pretty fast.
Our rankings of the top sports betting sites for the USA are based on a long list of factors that will impact your overall online sports gambling experience. We consider every aspect that truly matters when betting on sports online for real money.
Some of the factors are important for all types of online gambling sites. Others apply specifically to sports betting websites.
We break down some of these factors below, and explain why each one is important and needs to be considered.
Essential Criteria for All Real Money Gambling Sites
When you are gambling online for real money, there are certain minimum requirements you should expect from the sites you’re using. These requirements form the foundation of our ranking process for all sites, whether for betting on sports or anything else.
Let’s take a look at them.
- Licensed and Regulated
- All gambling sites should have an appropriate license from a recognized authority. This shows that they are legitimately able to offer real money online gambling services. Licensed gambling sites also have to meet regulatory requirements and act ethically and fairly.
- Solid Reputation
- The leading online gambling sites have typically been around for many years. We don’t automatically exclude new sites from our rankings, but we do prefer those that have been in business for a while. This way we can assess their past performance and determine whether they have a solid enough reputation to deserve our recommendation.
- Easy to Deposit and Withdraw
- Deposit and withdrawing are fundamental aspects of betting online for real money, whether that’s on sports, casino games, or anything else. All gambling sites should make the process for depositing funds and cashing out winnings as easy as possible.
- Fast Payouts
- Cashing out your winnings shouldn’t just be easy, it should also be quick. No-one wants to wait around forever for their money, and no-one should have to. The top operators always do their best to ensure fast payouts.
- Helpful Customer Support
- Good customer support should be a staple for any company, and it’s especially important online. You need to be able to get in touch with someone if something isn’t working properly, or if you have a query. We put the customer support at gambling sites to the test during our ranking process, and we expect to see efficient and professional assistance.
Important Qualities for the Best Sports Betting Sites
Now let’s look at the attributes that matter the most when we’re ranking the best sports betting sites. Note that these are all in addition to what we’ve already mentioned.
- Range of Sports Betting Options
- One of the benefits of online sports betting is that it opens up a ton more opportunities for making money. Your average land-based sportsbooks and bookmakers cover all the major sports, yes, and maybe a few of the less popular ones. The variety is usually somewhat limited, though. That’s not the case when betting on the internet. Or at least not when using the best online betting sites. The leading sports betting websites cover pretty much every sport you can imagine, and many more besides. You’ll never be short of something to wager on, that’s for sure.
- Competitive Odds and Lines
- A key aspect of betting on sports is trying to find the best value. That’s a skill that takes some practice, and no small amount of knowledge, but it’s made a whole lot easier when you have access to competitive odds and lines. The best betting sites for the USA, and anywhere for else for that matter, keep their margins low and their odds high. That is just the way we like it.
- User-Friendly Betting Interface
- Regardless of whether you bet on sports to make money, or just to have some fun, you’re going to want to place your wagers as easily as possible. You need to be able to see your options, and get your money down, with the minimum of fuss. This is no problem when there’s a user-friendly platform, but some betting sites are stuck in the 20th century when it comes to website design. That’s not the case with the top online betting sites, though.
- Live Betting Platform
- Betting in-play has become incredibly popular in recent years, and is another big advantage of online sports gambling. It opens up a whole new range of real money wagering opportunities, which can be very profitable if you know what you’re doing. Even the best US sports betting sites were a little slow on the uptake when it comes to this form of betting, but most of them have caught up now. Live betting is something we now expect to see from US friendly sports betting sites, and we’re disappointed if we don’t.
- Betting Limits for All Budgets
- Some people like to bet big, some prefer to bet small. Most bettors in the USA fall somewhere in between. We think it’s important that you’re able to bet at whatever level you’re comfortable with, and we expect the top betting sites to facilitate that. When we’re ranking sports betting sites for the US, we look at the minimum stakes and the maximum stakes allowed. Those that cater for all budgets are looked upon favorably.
- Additional Features
- The leading online sports gambling sites are all trying to constantly improve what they offer their customers. One way they do this is by offering useful features that can help improve the overall experience of sports betting online. Some of the features we like to see at the top online sportsbooks include early cashouts, bet builders, and live streaming.
Who Ranks These Sites to Ensure Safe Real Money Betting?
Compiling our rankings of the top online sports betting sites is a lengthy and ongoing process. Several members of our team are involved, as they each bring their own areas of expertise and experience.
Two team members who know a great deal about what makes the best sports betting websites are Jerry Summer and Noah Davis. These guys are serious bettors, and their knowledge is especially useful when it comes to ranking the best betting sites in the US.
The legal status of sports betting in the USA, especially online, has been something of a grey area for many years. United States laws that regulate gambling for real money, including betting on sports, have changed multiple times and often been left open to different interpretations.
We will bring some clarity to this somewhat complicated matter by explaining the current status of legal sports betting in the US, both offline and online.
Is Sports Betting Legal in the US?
There are a couple of key points in the history of sports betting in the US, but the first one that you need to know about is the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) from 1992. The main goal behind it was to keep the integrity in sports competitions in America.
According to PASPA, sports betting was regulated on a federal level, and the individual states didn’t have the right to operate sports betting. Nor were they able to license or authorize third-party companies to offer sports gambling services.
The major exception to this rule was the state of Nevada which was authorized to have land-based sportsbooks offering a full range of betting services. A couple of other states also retained the right to offer some limited forms of betting for real money.
The good news is that the US Supreme Court revoked PASPA in 2018, returning the power to regulate sports betting to the individual states. We have since seen several states open the door to legal and regulated sports betting within the country, with more expected to follow.
For years, online sports betting had an unclear status. PASPA didn’t prohibit US citizens from placing real money wagers on sports, it only prevented US-based operators from accepting them.
There was also the Wire Act, a federal piece of legislation originally designed to prevent the acceptance of sports bets over the telephone (or via telegram, which was still a thing back when the act was introduced).
But since the arrival of the internet, plenty of betting sites that were licensed and regulated in other jurisdictions could offer their services to US customers. This created a loophole of sorts that basically meant that both the players and the online betting sites were doing nothing wrong.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 tried to change that by making financial transactions for online gambling illegal. The move did drive a lot of operators away from the US market, but since it didn’t target the players or the process of accepting real money wagers, a number of online gambling operators continued to welcome Americans.
Since the repeal of PASPA, there are now several legal US betting sites operating within the country. These legal betting sites are licensed and regulated by the state(s) in which they’re based. Most of the top USA betting sites, however, operate elsewhere.
It’s important to note that there’s nothing wrong with that. They are perfectly legal in the jurisdictions where they are licensed, and bettors are not breaking the law by placing wagers with them, either.
The NFL season is now over, so betting on football is no longer an option in March. Don’t worry, though, there’s plenty of action in other major US sports.
The MLB is back with some spring training games and there’s a certain NCAA basketball tournament that you might’ve heard of!
That’s just in the USA, there are many other exciting competitions from all over the globe that you can bet on March. Let’s take a look at the most appealing gambling opportunities this month.
- March Madness starts and the top college basketball teams will be fighting for eternal glory
- The NHL and NBA both continue, with plenty of games to bet on.
- All the top European soccer leagues are still going and the Champions League is in the knockout stage now.
- There are several tennis tournaments, including the Miami Open
That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sports betting in March. There are many other events, including UFC fights, boxing, golf, and so much more.
Our sports blog is the place to go to check on for all the latest updates on what’s going on, along with regular analysis from our experts. You should also check out our betting picks section for all our latest recommended wagers.
More Real Money Online Betting Sites
The sites we recommend on this page are the best overall sites for betting on sports online in the USA. However, there are other sites worth considering, too, especially if you have some specific requirements or preferences.
We rank the top online betting sites in a variety of different categories, and below are some that might interest you.
Football is the most popular sport in the United States, and also the most bet on. It’s no surprise, therefore, that most online sportsbooks cover the NFL and college football extensively. Some cover the Canadian Football League, too.
Simply covering the sport is not enough to be considered the best, though. The top football betting sites go the extra mile and beyond, to ensure that they do everything they can to satisfy the most ardent football bettors.
Fast Payout Betting Sites
All of our recommended US betting sites make fast payouts. We wouldn’t recommend them if they didn’t! Some are faster than others, though, and there are certain sites that process cash outs in super quick time.
If getting your winnings paid out as quickly as possible is THE most important thing for you, then you should check out our list of the fastest paying betting sites.
The top US sports betting sites will all take a good sized wager. When betting on mainstream sports in particular, the limits should be high enough for almost everyone.
Top 10 Sports Gambling Sites
If you’re looking to wager especially high stakes, however, or wanting to bet big on some of the less popular sports, then you might want to consider a site that specializes in catering for high rollers.
Best Betting Sites for Bonuses and Rewards
With the online gambling industry as competitive as it is, all betting sites have to work hard if they want to be successful. Most sites use bonuses and rewards to attract new customers and keep existing ones happy, but some are more generous than others.
If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, these are the sites you should be betting with.
What are the best betting sites?
Our rankings are regularly updated to ensure they’re always accurate. As of right now, these are the best US sports betting sites online.
Is it legal to bet real money on sports online from the USA?
As far as we know, there isn’t a single bettor from the United States who has been convicted or even charged for betting on sports online.
Top 10 Online Betting Sites
We’re not lawyers, but our interpretation of the current US gambling laws is that individuals are not forbidden to place bets on sports online.
If you stick to trusted US betting sites, like the ones we recommend, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Bookmakers that don’t have a license from a legit jurisdiction are another story, so make sure to avoid them.
What kind of sports betting markets are available to Americans?
There are plenty of ways to bet on sports online. For a start, you can pick traditional options like moneyline, spreads, and totals.
Most of the reliable sports betting sites for the USA also offer props, futures, and outrights for the majority of the sports and leagues they cover.
How can I deposit real money to bet on sports online from the US?
The best online sports betting sites for USA bettors usually cover at least a few convenient options.
Common options include credit cards, cryptocurrencies, wire transfers, and money transfer services. Alternatives are often available, too.
How quickly will I get my money after winning a bet?
Our recommendations can all be classed as fast payout betting sites. Payouts via Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are very quick and seamless.
Other withdrawal methods can take a little longer, but you’ll rarely be waiting long for your winnings if you bet with the top US online sportsbooks.
Gambling addiction can have devastating consequences. We strongly encourage responsible gambling, and recommend that you seek help immediately if you feel like you might be losing control of your betting
The best US sports betting sites will typically allow you to apply limits to your account in terms of how much you can deposit and wager. Please take advantage of these if necessary. You can also choose to self-exclude completely if you wish.
Maryland is home to major sports teams such as the Baltimore Ravens and
Orioles. As you’d probably expect, there’s a huge number of sports fans here,
many of which love to place wagers on major games. Unfortunately, this state has
taken an anti-gambling stance over the years, particularly when it comes to
online gambling. With that being said, there are still a number of great
Maryland sports betting sites available here.
For those new to internet sports betting in Maryland, choosing a website to play at for
the first time can seem daunting. To help out with this, our team of experts is
going to break down the four most important features that all online sportsbooks
should provide. We’ll also dive into why online sports betting in Maryland is
growing more popular every year.
Later on, we’re going to explain the current laws and regulations surrounding
online sports wagering in this state. There’s a lot of information to unpack.
Let’s get into it!
Of course, if you want to skip this entire breakdown and get straight to the
betting, you can check out the sports betting websites in Maryland that we
recommend below.
Rank | Gambling Site | Deposit Bonus | Get Started | |
#1 | 100% Up To $2,500 | Visit Site | ||
#2 | MyBookie | 50% Up To $1,000 | Visit Site | |
#3 | 100% Up To $1,000 | Visit Site | ||
#4 | Bovada Sports | 50% Up To $250 | Visit Site | |
#5 | 50% Up To $1,000 | Visit Site |
Here’s What to Look for in Maryland Sports Betting Sites Today
The US online sports betting industry has come a long way. Not long ago, this
entire market was limited to just a few websites offering limited odds with poor
designs. Today, some of the biggest online gambling companies in the world are
available throughout the country.
Finding a few sports betting sites in Maryland shouldn’t be
difficult, as long as you know what to look for. That’s what we are here for!
Below are four of the most important features that absolutely all internet
sportsbooks should provide to their members.
Safe and Transparent Payment System
Safety is and always will be the most important thing to make sure that a
gambling website provides. You could find a sportsbook with the best odds on a
wide range of different sports, yet if it doesn’t provide you with security,
it’s not worth joining. Fortunately, this is an easy thing to look into
nowadays.
There are a few ways to do this. One is to head over to our
sports betting sites page.
Over the years, our team has looked at hundreds of different online sportsbooks.
In each review, we dive into the payment systems for these websites. If we find
anything shady going on, we’ll let you know about it.
It’s also a great idea to simply check out these websites for yourself.
Almost all Maryland sports betting sites operating today provide their members
with information on exactly which payment methods are accepted. If you find that
a site doesn’t, there’s probably something wrong.
The best US online sportsbooks allow deposits to be made
using both debit and credit cards. Withdrawal (payout) methods are generally a
little more limited. Most of these sites only allow payouts to be made using
Bitcoin. Fortunately, Bitcoin withdrawals come with extremely low fees and are
processed within just a few days.
Some sites, including
BetOnline.ag, even provide entire pages that explain how Bitcoin
payouts are made.
Before joining any sports betting sites in Maryland, make sure that they
provide you with safe and transparent payment methods. There’s nothing more
important!
Great Design and Overall User Interface
Design may not seem all that important. On the contrary, it’s one of the most
crucial things to look for in a Maryland betting site. The style and functionality
of these websites will affect your entire gambling experience. If you find that
the sports betting sites in Maryland make it difficult to place bets, they’re
probably not great.
Much like the payment system, this is another extremely easy thing to look
into. In this case, your best option is to simply check out a few sites. The
ones we recommend at the top of this page are well-known for offering amazing
designs and interfaces.
Everyone’s design style differs. Some love simplistic websites that only
provide certain odds on major sporting events. Others love modern, complex sites
that provide a massive list of different odds and promotion offers. The
important thing is finding a site that fits your gaming needs.
Take a little time to find a few Maryland sports betting sites
that provide a modern style. It should be extremely easy to actually place bets
through these websites. Check to make sure that they don’t crash as well.
Wide Range of Betting Odds
More often than not, the more odds that a website offers, the better the
entire sports betting site really is. This is the case now more than ever. All of the
modern sports betting sites in Maryland provide thousands of different betting
odds to their members every single day.
Some sites are known to provide more odds than others. Major sites such as
Bovada provide odds on a huge number of both big and small sporting events.
Others tend to focus on the major US sports leagues. As long as you can find
odds on the sports you plan to bet on, you’re good to go!
Are you a hardcore Ravens fan? Find some sports betting sites in Maryland
offering NFL odds for the entire season. Do you love the Orioles? Find some of
the best online sportsbooks in Maryland that provide a range of MLB bets.
A few of the MD sports betting sites operating today also
provide odds on fun novelty events. You can find wagers for things like politics
and movie outcomes! Do a little research and find a few betting websites that
offer the types of odds that you are looking for.
Helpful Customer Service Options
This is probably the feature of Maryland betting websites that players fail to look for
the most. It’s unfortunate because a solid customer support system is sometimes
crucial. Maryland does not currently regulate its sports betting market. That
means, if you ever encounter an issue with your gambling experience, you’ll have
to rely on the site you play at to help you out!
For this reason, we highly recommend when betting online in Maryland to select a site with excellent customer service.
Much like design, this is something you will want to check out on the sites themselves. These internet
sportsbooks should clearly list which support options are provided directly on
their homepage.
In our opinion, a live chat feature is the best option available right now.
This allows you to speak directly with a website representative over text chat.
It’s the best and easiest way to have your questions answered instantly. A
direct phone line is also fantastic.
Some of the less-reputable sports betting sites in Maryland
only offer email support. We don’t recommend joining these sites. Email support
can often take weeks to answer any questions you have. Always look for online
sportsbooks that provide instant customer service whenever you need it.
Why Are Online Sports Betting Sites in Maryland Becoming so Popular Now?
Maryland, and Baltimore, in particular, is known to have one of the most
passionate sports fan bases in the country. Unfortunately, there are very
limited options here to actually bet on sports. Since PASPA was struck down back
in May of 2018, every state now has the ability to completely legalize sports
betting.
Lawmakers in Maryland have not yet taken the steps to do so. A few bills have
been introduced that could change this, yet they have not been passed in the
State Senate.
We wanted to know exactly why the popularity of online sports betting in
Maryland is growing so much. Our team asked a number of bettors here why they
love to wager online. There are two responses we heard over and over.
Most Convenient Option Available
There may be a time when land-based sports betting options are available in
MD but till then, online betting in Maryland is one of your options.
Until that happens, the only real options to make bets here are online or
through an illegal bookie on the ground. For obvious reasons, the internet route
is significantly more convenient.
For one, you can make these wagers from the comfort of home. In fact, all of
the sports betting sites in Maryland operating today allow you to place bets
from anywhere with an internet connection. The majority even let you make wagers
on the go using a smartphone!
Forget trying to find a local bookie. There are a huge number of amazing
Maryland sports betting sites that offer thousands of odds every single day.
Don’t believe us? Check out the sites at the top of this page and see for
yourself!
Massive Range of Different Betting Options
We’ve touched on this a few times. The fact is, even if Maryland did allow
for land-based sports betting, sportsbooks here wouldn’t provide as many betting
options as internet sportsbooks do. You would not believe some of the things you
can bet on nowadays.
The huge number of different wagering options is certainly a reason why these
sites are growing so popular. Bettors here can find great odds on sporting
events taking place around the world. That means at any time of the day, you’ll
have something to throw money on.
The best online sportsbooks in Maryland provide more betting
options than even the biggest sportsbooks in Las Vegas. Whether you love
basketball, football, or ice hockey, there are odds available through these
websites.
So, Is Online Sports Betting in Maryland Actually Lawful?
As we mentioned earlier, Maryland has some pretty restrictive laws when it
comes to gambling. It makes no sense, as legalized sports betting could earn the
government here millions in additional revenue every year. The specific legality
of Maryland sports betting sites is a little vague.
First, let’s look at the definition of gambling in Maryland.
Section 12-102 of the State Statutes declares that:“A person may not
1) bet, wager, or gamble;
(2) make or sell a book or pool on the result of a race, contest, or
contingency;
(3) establish, keep, rent, use, or occupy, or knowingly allow to be
established, kept, rented, used, or occupied, all or a part of a building,
vessel, or place, on land or water, within the State, for the purpose of: (i)
betting, wagering, or gambling; or (ii) making, selling, or buying books or
pools on the result of a race, contest, or contingency; or
(4) receive, become the depository of, record, register, or forward, or
propose, agree, or pretend to forward, money or any other thing or consideration
of value, to be bet, wagered, or gambled on the result of a race, contest, or
contingency.”
Does that mean all forms of gambling are completely banned here? Well, no.
And that’s why these laws are a little confusing. MD is one of the few states
that also specifically states that it’s not allowed to bet using a “gaming
device.”
(1) “Gaming device” means:
(i) a gaming table, except a billiard table, at which a game of chance is
played for money or any other thing or consideration of value; or
(ii) a game or device at which money or any other thing or consideration
of value is bet, wagered, or gambled.
Some feel this makes it illegal to bet on sports over the internet. There are
others that feel the laws aren’t specific enough to make a ruling on the
legality of sports betting sites in Maryland based in other
areas. We always recommend you abide by the law. With that being said, laws and
constantly changing, and they may decide to completely regulate online sports
betting in Maryland within the next few years.
Will I Be Prosecuted For Playing at Sports Betting Sites in Maryland?
It’s pretty unlikely. Technically, Maryland seems to have the power to crack
down on online gambling. It doesn’t seem to have happened yet, though. Our team
has not come across a single case of any individuals facing legal trouble for
betting on sports online here.
How Do I Stay Safe Playing at Sports Betting Sites in Maryland?
As we’ve already mentioned, online sports wagering is safer now than ever
before. Most of the Maryland sports betting sites operating today take strict
measures to ensure their members stay completely safe. There are, however, a few
basic steps that you can take to ensure your gambling experience online is
nothing but fun.
Our team has spent years finding the best ways to bet over the internet. We
have come up with five simple tips that everyone can follow to stay safe. Check
them out below!
Make Sure to Play at Trustworthy Sites
The easiest way to ensure you stay safe is to only play through reputable
sites! If you do this, there’s a very good chance you will never have a single
issue. Make sure that any of the sports betting sites in MD you
are thinking about joining offer safe payment options and a range of helpful
customer support options.
Track How Much You Are Betting
This one is your responsibility. Sports betting is extremely fun, and
sometimes, people wager a little more money than they probably should. Don’t
make this mistake! Always track exactly how much money you are betting online.
If, on the off chance, you realize you are betting too much, take a break from
your Maryland betting sites for a few weeks.
Bet on Sports That You Know About
With thousands of different odds available every single day, it can be
extremely tempting to throw money on the underdog of a sporting event you know
nothing about. This is almost never a good idea. We recommend that you only
wager on sports that you understand. Your chances of winning will go up
significantly.
Top Ten Gambling Sites
Never Give out Your Account Information
You should think of your betting account as a bank account! Anyone with
access to this account information can spend your money as they wish. For this
reason, it’s hugely important that you never give the details of your username
and password to anyone. Reputable sports betting sites in Maryland
will never ask for this info. It’s also a good idea to change your betting
password from time to time.
Stay Updated on Changes to Online Gambling Laws in Maryland
Sports betting laws are changing fast around the country. There’s a very good
chance that in time, all Maryland sports betting sites will be completely
regulated by the state government. Make sure to follow our
industry news page for updates
on changes to gambling laws. If this state begins to completely legalize the
online sports betting industry, we’ll be the first to let you know about it!
FAQ on Internet Sports Betting in Maryland
What Are the Most Popular Sports That People Bet on Here?
Maryland’s sports fanbase is diverse. From what we have seen, most people
here tend to place wagers on the NFL and MLB. Fortunately, most Maryland sports
betting sites provide amazing odds on both of these sports and more.
How Much Money Can I Win Betting Online?
Sports gambling is happening throughout the country. Online sports gambling
is growing particularly popular in Massachusetts right now because it’s the
safest option available and offers more wagering options than even the top
land-based sportsbooks in the country.
Is Online Sports Betting in Maryland Easier Than Land-Based Betting?
It’s very similar! The major difference is that it’s significantly more
convenient. Online sports betting allows you to place wagers from anywhere in
the state with an internet connection. When it comes to actually placing bets,
the process is just about the same.
When Will Online Sports Betting in Maryland Become Fully Regulated?
It’s hard to say. Back in February of 2018, Maryland lawmakers introduced
Bill No. 989 that provides an outline to legalize and regulate sports gambling.
Since that time, the state has not made any progress to make Maryland sports
betting sites fully legal. In our opinion, this industry will be regulated
within the next few years.
Why Should I Play at Sports Betting Sites in Maryland?
We never want to push internet sports betting on anyone. The choice to bet or
not bet is always yours! From what we have heard from the players that we have
spoken to, online sports betting is the most convenient option available and
provides more odds than even the biggest and best land-based sportsbook.
Conclusion
It’s a shame that Maryland has not taken the same pro-sports betting approach
that nearby states like New Jersey have. There is obviously a massive market for
the industry here, and the state could earn millions every year if it becomes
fully legal. As more states around the country begin to legalize this industry,
we feel that Maryland will, too.
If you decide that internet sports gambling is for you, make sure to check
out the Maryland sports betting sites that we recommend at the top of this page.
Each one is amazing and provides some great odds on almost every major sport.
Feel free to take a look at our
gambling blog page for expert predictions on major sporting events taking
place around the country. Good luck making your bets!