Now that Maryland sports betting has launched, let’s look at what to expect in terms of Maryland sports betting revenue.
We’ll discuss the advantages and possible challenges ahead for the MD sports gambling market. We’ll also compare the state’s revenue projections to actual results from recent market launches elsewhere.
Read on for an in-depth look at how the business of sports betting is shaping up in the Old Line State.
MD Market Overview
To grasp the potential of the Maryland sports gambling market here is some key context to keep in mind.
State Population (2020 Census): 6,177,224
In-state Pro Teams: Baltimore Orioles (MLB), Baltimore Ravens (NFL), Washington Football Team (NFL)
Launch Date: Nov. 23, 2022
Biggest Monthly Revenue: Jan. 2024 ($8,246,847)
Regulator: Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission
Platforms: Online and retail
Tax Rate: 15 percent (jumps to 17.5 percent on annual mobile wagering revenue above $5 million per operator)
Maryland Sports Betting Revenue: Month-by-Month Data
Sports Betting Dime will be following Maryland’s monthly sports betting financial reports closely now that the industry has opened up to provide up-to-date analysis. We’re tracking revenue totals from the launch of online sports betting in November 2022.
Here are the total online and retail sports betting amounts since launch.
| Month/Year | Betting Handle | Total Revenue | Hold Percentage | State Tax Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2022 | $219,071,374 | $30,620,539 | 14.0% | $704,728 |
| December 2022 | $497,121,656 | $85,168,804 | 17.1% | $440,043 |
| January 2023 | $441,481,779 | $59,601,405 | 13.5% | $2,114,613 |
| February 2023 | $339,421,546 | $40,214,644 | 11.8% | $2,796,880 |
| March 2023 | $441,481,779 | $47,548,313 | 12.3% | $5,310,057 |
| April 2023 | $328,454,397 | $35,644,586 | 10.9% | $3,864,686 |
| May 2023 | $320,199,671 | $42,742,217 | 13.3% | $4,650,711 |
| June 2023 | $254,476,790 | $27,077,118 | 10.6% | $2,835,051 |
| July 2023 | $247,412,348 | $28,114,521 | 11.4% | $3,312,633 |
| August 2023 | $263,729,559 | $24,900,637 | 9.4% | $2,555,671 |
| September 2023 | $442,450,666 | $45,575,923 | 10.3% | $3,231,427 |
| October 2023 | $483,147,391 | $58,701,910 | 12.1% | $5,812,245 |
| November 2023 | $550,716,329 | $41,628,982 | 7.6% | $3,199,529 |
| December 2023 | $559,865,463 | $62,330,932 | 11.1% | $6,482,403 |
| January 2024 | $544,971,369 | $80,000,652 | 14.7% | $8,246,847 |
| February 2024 | $442,557,658 | $43,445,464 | 9.8% | $4,210,511 |
| March 2024 | $536,730,427 | $45,104,096 | 8.4% | $4,853,985 |
| April 2024 | $486,319,124 | $50,420,705 | 10.4% | $5,686,446 |
| May 2024 | $431,528,137 | $51,065,131 | 11.8% | $6,991,255 |
| June 2024 | $384,687,982 | $39,668,882 | 10.3% | $5,728,503 |
| July 2024 | $333,269,669 | $43,764,980 | 13.1% | $6,254,056 |
The above table will be updated monthly with actual figures reported by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission when available.
Maryland Sports Betting Revenue Expectations: What Do State Officials Think?
Maryland state officials estimate that sports wagering could generate up to $20 million a year in tax revenue. The state government has also explicitly stated that the main purpose of this revenue will be to fund public education.
However, given the size of the Maryland market and the recent successes of nearby states such as Virginia and Tennessee, we think the state’s estimate is conservative. Our guess is state officials are taking an under-promise and over-deliver approach with their estimates.
At a base tax rate of 15 percent, it would take a gross gaming revenue of approximately $133 million annually to generate $20 million in state tax revenue. Simply put, this pales in comparison to what we’re seeing already in Virginia and Tennessee. Both are on track for a gross gaming revenue of $185 million or more in their first 12 months, let alone at market maturity in 2-3 years from now. If Maryland were to match this pace, which we believe it can, that would amount to $27 million in taxes in year one alone. That’s 35 percent more than state officials are projecting for a mature market.
Additional analysis by fellow industry insiders at PlayMaryland.com and MarylandSharp.com suggests Maryland sportsbooks could bring in up to $225 million in gross revenue, which would result in closer to $35 million in state tax revenue.
Rest assured, when legal sports wagering launches in Maryland, we’ll be tracking all the financial figures right here at Sports Betting Dime. We’ll provide up-to-date analysis as official revenue reports start coming in. For now, just know that Maryland looks to be a very competitive new sports betting market in 2022 and beyond.
Maryland Revenue: Advantages
By allowing up to 60 online sportsbook operators to enter the Maryland market, lawmakers have set up the most permissive and competitive legal sports wagering markets of any US state to date. Such competition is bound to benefit consumers in the form of fair odds and enticing promotions. This leads us to believe the Maryland market has enormous potential. It’s also great to see the state making efforts to support minority-owned small businesses and diversity initiatives within sports betting. This expansive approach may help attract a wider customer base.
Looking at the recent successes of newer markets such as the aforementioned Virginia and Tennessee as well as Colorado and Michigan, Maryland can take in billions in sports betting handle each year. It’s also a huge plus that Maryland will allow wagers on in-state college teams. This means you can wager on the Maryland Terrapins and the Navy Midshipmen while within state lines. In other states, betting on local collegiate teams has proven very popular, especially during college football season or March Madness.
The fact that online betting will be available from day one and remote registration is allowed should set up the Old Line State for a grand opening in fall 2022, which coincides with the 2022-23 NFL season. The NFL is by far the most popular league to wager on in America, so Maryland lawmakers’ push to launch during the season should pay off in spades.
Maryland Revenue: Growth into a Healthy Market
One thing to be conscious of when considering Maryland’s sports betting revenue is the level of competition from nearby markets. Maryland is surrounded by jurisdictions that all have some form of legal sports wagering. It will be the first market to launch under such circumstances, so it will be interesting to see what effect this may have.
Furthermore, Maryland does not have a big sports tourism industry, meaning the market will rely predominantly on local bettors.
Maryland has become one of the most successful sports betting markets in the entire country. It’s grown to include 10 retail sportsbooks and 13 online sportsbooks. In August 2024, Maryland became the 12th market in the country to eclipse $1 billion in sports betting tax revenue.
Latest MD Revenue News
Here’s a quick rundown of recent revenue-related news for Maryland.
- August 2024: Maryland becomes the 12th state to eclipse $1 billion in total sports betting tax revenue since launch.
- July 31, 2024: Bally Bet launches online sports betting in the commonwealth, the 13th online sports betting platform in Maryland.
- July 22, 2024: SuperBook leaves the state.
- July 1, 2024: LetsBetMD launches in Maryland.
- January 2024: Maryland reports its most successful month ever for sports betting with $8,246,847 in tax revenue.
- December 2023: Maryland reports its best month to date for the sports betting market, which generated $6,482,403 in contributions to the state from a handle of $559,865,463
- Nov. 14, 2023: ESPN BET launches in Maryland.
- Aug. 16, 2023: WynnBET officially leaves Maryland.
- Aug. 11, 2023: betPARX launches in the state.
- June 1, 2023: Fanatics Sportsbook goes live in Maryland
- April 2023: SuperBook receives a license for online sports betting in the state, becoming the ninth licensed online sportsbook in Maryland
- Feb. 9, 2023: Betfred launches online sports betting in the state, becoming the eighth licensed online sportsbook in the commonwealth.
- January 2023: Maryland’s 10 retail and seven mobile sportsbooks combined for $441,481,779 in handle and generated $2,114,613 in tax revenue.
- December 12, 2022: Maryland reported $219,071,374 in total wagering volume through the month of November. This massive handle after only two weeks of betting created $704,728 in tax revenue for the state, with online wagering accounting for $186,084,496 of the monthly handle. $63.8 million of the bets came from promotional funds earned through new user registrations.
- May 2021: Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signs House Bill 940, legalizing sports betting. The base tax rate set is at 15 percent. The rate will increase to 17.5 percent when an operator reaches an annual mobile wagering revenue of over $5 million. The state continues working towards a target launch in fall 2021.
Learn More About Betting on Sports in MD and Beyond
With the Old Line State getting ready to enter a new era of legal sports betting, be sure to check out our list of top online sportsbooks to wager with.
As Maryland moves closer to launch day, Sports Betting Dime will provide exclusive promo codes for top sports betting sites. We’ll also keep you informed of any important updates regarding rules and regulations sports bettors should be aware of.
To see how Maryland stacks up against other states, you can explore our state-by-state sports betting revenue tracker.