Maryland's sports betting market just closed out one of its strongest months on record. Maryland sports betting brought in nearly half a billion dollars in wagers during July, fueled by steady mobile app growth and a favorable hold for operators. The numbers tell a story of a maturing market that keeps finding new gears. According to the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission, there was a significant shift, with several records set in July.
July's Handle by the Numbers
Bettors in the Old Line State wagered roughly $496.4 million in July, making it the state's largest July on record. That figure was slightly below June's total of $523.3 million, a modest dip that reflects the natural cooldown after a soccer-heavy June driven by World Cup betting activity. Even with the small month-over-month pullback in handle, the state's hold percentage climbed to 11.2 percent, up from 10 percent in June, which helped push overall revenue higher despite fewer total dollars wagered.
Where the Revenue Came From
Total revenue for the month came in at around $55.4 million, and the breakdown shows just how lopsided the competition remains. FanDuel dominated the field, generating about $23.5 million in wins off a handle of $187.9 million, giving it a commanding share of the market. BetMGM posted the highest hold rate among major books at 13.5 percent, turning $42.6 million in wagers into $5.8 million in winnings. Caesars Sportsbook, by contrast, held onto the smallest cut of its handle at just 7.5 percent, a sign that promotions and payouts ate into its margins more than its rivals.
Comparing This Year to Last
The year-over-year growth is where the story gets most interesting. July's handle jumped 36.4 percent compared to the roughly $364.1 million wagered in July of last year. That kind of growth, well into the market's existence, suggests Maryland bettors are not slowing down. Tax contributions rose alongside the handle, with more than $6.3 million routed to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund, the state's public education program, marking a meaningful increase from the same period a year prior.
What Comes Next for Maryland Bettors
With football season now underway, expect these numbers to climb even further. NFL and college football consistently drive the heaviest betting volume of the year, and operators are already rolling out promotions to capture new users ahead of peak season. Maryland sports betting apps are likely to see a surge in downloads and active users as bettors look to place wagers on Sunday slates, primetime matchups, and college rivalries throughout the fall. If July's momentum is any indication, Maryland could be on pace to challenge its all-time handle records before the year is out. For now, the state's operators, regulators, and bettors alike are watching football season with plenty of anticipation.
