The impact of online Maryland sports betting was demonstrated in December as the state issued the financial figures for the first full month of legalized mobile sports wagering in the state.
The total handle for sports wagering in Maryland, online and retail, was a little more than $497.1 million in the final month of 2022. That was up 126.9% from November ($219.1 million).
Mobile Maryland Sportsbooks Dominate Share
Of that total handle, about $478.3 million, or about 96%, was in mobile betting alone. To be clear, the mobile handle was also affected by the generous promotion sports gambling operators have been offering customers. For instance, of the $478.3 million in online sports betting handle, nearly $71 million was in free promotional wagers.
For all of 2022, Maryland’s sports betting handle was $979.6 million, according to figures from Maryland Lottery and Gaming. Of that amount, more than $664 million was in mobile betting (including free promotional wagers) from Nov. 23 to Dec. 31.
December alone accounted for more than half of the sports betting handle for the entire year in the state, proving again that an online option is immensely popular once offered, just as it has been in dozens of states offering legal, regulated wagering on sports. When the Old Line State relied on retail sportsbooks alone, the handle never exceeded $39 million in any month.
Maryland Sports Betting, December vs. November
Online Sports Wagering Still Pretty New
Mobile wagering on Maryland sports betting apps started on Nov. 23, 2022. Retail betting, meaning in-person wagering at a physical sportsbook, has been operating since December 2021.
The retail sports betting handle statewide in December was $18.85 million, down 42.9% from the previous month (when it was almost $33 million), so there’s some evidence that mobile betting activity is adversely affecting retail. That’s not surprising as customers both take advantage of the online promotions and the convenience of betting from home or elsewhere.
December overall sports betting revenue (taxable win) was a little more than $2.93 million. It was minus-$33,607,083 in the November Maryland betting revenue report because of promotions.
The taxable win (amount remaining after deducting prizes, promotional play and other amounts) was $2,635,010 at retail sportsbooks last month and $298,609 for mobile operators, off of a hold of more than $82 million.
December’s state tax from sports betting was $440,043, down 37.6% from November ($704,728).
Maryland Online Sports Betting Breakdown
Among online gambling operators, Live! Casino mobile (with FanDuel Sportsbook Maryland) and DraftKings/Crown MD dominated the Maryland market.
Together, those two big-name national operators combined for more than 82% of the mobile market in December.
Handle figures for mobile operators were: Live! Casino Mobile $236,211,720; DraftKings/Crown MD $157,846,566; BetMGM Maryland $42,331,150; Hollywood Casino Mobile $16,352,988; Caesars $15,562,485; Riverboat on the Potomac Mobile $6,734,912; BingoWorld/Arundel Amusements $3,230,506.
For retail, here were the December sports betting handles by casino: MGM National Harbor $6,856,303; Live! Casino (Hanover) $5,861,506; Horseshoe Casino Baltimore $2,693,284; Ocean Downs Casino (Berlin) $1,328,883; Hollywood Casino Perryville $1,065,786.
Other sports wagering facilities (non-casino) were: BingoWorld $647,922; Long Shot’s $176,838; Greenmount OTB $135,809; Riverboat on the Potomac $84,998.
Turn to BetMaryland.com for information on operators offering Maryland sportsbook promos and reviews of online sportsbooks.
