Sports bettors in Maryland will have to wait a little longer before they can legally start wagering on sports. While residents have already approved sports betting, legislators are still left with the task of working out the details and figuring out how to implement it.
Many expect that it should be a done deal by July 2021 and that sportsbooks will be up and running in time for the 2021 NFL season.
Even though sports betting remains off the menu, sports fans in the Old Line State can get their fix by playing fantasy sports. Maryland daily fantasy sports have been legal since 2012.
In fact, Maryland was the very first state to legalize this form of entertainment. DFS in Maryland is regulated by the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.
Play DFS in Maryland
Maryland makes a distinction between sports betting and fantasy sports. In short, sports betting involves single or multi-event wagering on the results of sports matches.
With DFS, participants draft real players from real teams throughout various sports and then accumulate points based on the players’ individual performances. DFS in Maryland isn’t limited to traditional sports. Many operators have incorporated eSports into their platforms.
Maryland daily fantasy sports enthusiasts shouldn’t have a hard time finding a reputable DFS site to play at. At the moment, Marylanders can play at:
All operate within the state.
These operators offer a variety of daily fantasy sports leagues including hockey, football, baseball, basketball, and even eSports. Unfortunately, these sites may not offer daily fantasy college sports.
The best way for Marylanders to make sure the DFS site they play at is legit is to verify that it is regulated by the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission. Once this is confirmed, they can go straight to the site using their desktop computers or they can download the app onto their mobile device.
Players may open a DFS Maryland account and compete for real money prizes as long as they are at least 18 years old.
Legal Fantasy Operators
Of the nearly one dozen DFS operators who sought to do business in Maryland, FanDuel, DraftKings, Yahoo Fantasy Sports, and Fantasy Draft, which is now Monkey Knife Fight, were the first ones to get the official nod.
This means DFS fans no longer have to play at unregulated sites. Both FanDuel and DraftKings are perhaps the biggest and most trusted names in daily fantasy sports.
Many Marylanders were already playing DFS at these sites before the state-regulated it. StatHero is also well-established while Monkey Knife Fight, formerly known as Fantasy Draft, introduces an interesting and unique twist to Maryland daily fantasy sports.
| Legal Maryland Daily Fantasy Sports Sites | Minimum Age |
| Monkey Knife Fight | 21 |
| DraftKings | 21 |
| FanDuel | 21 |
| StatHero | 21 |
It only takes a couple of minutes to register a new account and make your first deposit. Simply visit one of the above Maryland daily fantasy sports sites using your desktop or mobile device and hit the “Join Now” or “Register” button.
You’ll need to provide a few basic details and verify your email address. Once your account is open, you can use one of many payment options to make your first deposit. It’s definitely worth mentioning that there are a few great welcome bonuses available.
Maryland Daily Fantasy Sports Rules
Anyone in Maryland who is over the age of 18 may participate in DFS Maryland. Of course, there are a few exceptions such as employees and other people associated with any Maryland daily fantasy sports operator.
Maryland does not allow the use of data from college sports. As such, these sites can’t offer contests for college sports. This rule is the same in several other states including Colorado, New York, and Missouri.
Another important rule to remember is that Maryland daily fantasy sports sites initially impose a $1,000 monthly deposit limit on players. However, you can request that your operator raise that limit.
If approved, you will be subject to a few conditions including a review of your income and/or assets. This is obviously aimed at curtailing problem gambling even though the state doesn’t consider DFS to be gambling.
