Is Betting on the NFL Legal in Maryland?
Yes, betting on the NFL has been legal in Maryland since November 2022 when the state officially rolled out sports betting. As long as you are at least 21 years old and not excluded from betting in any way, you are able to place wagers in Maryland.
Where Can I Bet on the NFL in Maryland?
You can bet on the NFL with any of the 11 legal Maryland betting apps or in person at one of several retail sportsbooks scattered throughout the state. If you find yourself at a Ravens game this year, the closest retail sportsbook is located inside the Horseshoe Casino, which is owned and operated by Caesars. You can find in-depth app reviews using the link above to figure out which sportsbook is best for you.
Popular NFL Bet Types
With NFL betting being as popular as it is, there is no shortage of types of bets you can place on it. In fact, this can be a deciding factor when choosing which app you want to go with, as some operators offer more depth and variety compared to others. Below, I've listed the most popular and common types of NFL bets you're likely to find no matter which app you choose.
Are There NFL Betting Promos?
Given that betting on the NFL accounts for a large chunk of the wagers any sportsbook will see, you are sure to find bonuses throughout the NFL season. New users can claim any of the Maryland sports betting promos below, and existing users will find bonuses like bet insurance and profit boosts to take advantage of.
21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: dkng.co/bball. Ends 1/5/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DraftKings. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org
Popular NFL Events To Bet On
Most sports fans will think of wagering on single-game events when it comes to NFL betting, but there are plenty of other options available.
NFL Playoffs
14 NFL teams make the playoffs each season, comprised of seven teams from each of the league's two conferences (AFC & NFC). The four division winners from each conference make the playoffs, plus three others with the best overall record from the remaining teams in each conference.
Sports betting apps offer several betting options for the NFL playoffs. A common bet that can be found on most sportsbooks is whether or not a team will make the playoffs, with odds provided for "Yes" or "No."
Of course, this includes the ability to bet on the Baltimore Ravens playoff odds as well as the Washington Commanders and any other NFL team.
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is one of the marquee events of the entire year and drives tens of billions of dollars in wagers from tens of millions of bettors. Operators routinely expand their prop bet offerings as well, literally from beginning to end. This includes prop bets on the result of the coin toss all the way through to what color Gatorade will be dumped on the winning coach. You can also bet on the Ravens odds to win the Super Bowl throughout the season.
Player Awards
The most common player award to be bet on is the league MVP, but betting sites will also offer markets for offensive player of the year, defensive player of the year, and rookie of the year.
NFC/AFC Divisions
There are eight divisions in the NFL, including a North, South, East, and West division in both the AFC and NFC. Each division is made up of four teams. After the regular season has been played, the team in each division with the best overall record wins the division title. The winner of each division earns an automatic bid to the NFL postseason.
Division winner odds will fluctuate throughout the season, based on team performance, overall record, in-division record, and player injuries.
Top 5 NFL Betting Apps
BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, and PointsBet are the top five NFL betting apps in 2023. Each offers a variety of different features that separate them from the pack. Below you will find key features, strengths, and promotions for each of these operators in order to identify the best NFL betting app for your needs.
These apps rank top 5 in NFL betting due to offering a user-friendly platform with generous odds, frequent promotions and bonuses.
Best Overall NFL Betting App: BetMGM
BetMGM has a highly-rated mobile app due to its easy-to-use platform, visually appealing interface, and wide variety of betting options. Beginners or seasoned bettors can feel comfortable using this app knowing that it has something for everyone. The operator offers a competitive welcome bonus while also making it easy for customers to deposit and withdraw funds on the app. Also taking into account that they offer boosted bets, live in-game betting lines and same-game parlays, it is hard find a better overall NFL betting app.
- App Features: Boosted bets, live in-game betting lines, same-game parlay, user-friendly
- Promotions: First Bet Offer - Up to $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets
- Total States Live: 21
Best NFL Betting App for Bonuses: Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook offers a very generous sign-up bonus to new user. New users get up to $1,250 back as a bonus bet if they do not win, plus 1,000 tier credits and rewards credit. Don't worry, deals don't end after you sign up. The operator also frequently offers promotions and odds boost on the app. During the season, it is very typical that app users can find several odds boosts for various bets across the NFL every day. The operator also has a rewards program that gives bettors a way to earn extra perks.
- App Features: Wide selection of wager types, boosted bets, rewards program, stream live NFL games
- Promotions: Get your first bet on Caesars MD up to $1,250 PLUS 1,000 Reward Credits and 1,000 Tier Credits
- Total States Live: 20
Best NFL Betting App for User Experience: DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook is one of the simplest NFL betting app to use, with the best user experience. The interface is clean and app navigation is very easy. This app also rates highly when it comes to diverse betting options, competitive odds, daily promotions, and easy and quick payout options. Another great feature is that bettors can place wagers on live games and receive real time updates in the app. This operator does everything well, while making the experience easy for users.
- App Features: Live betting, prop bets, same-game parlay, user-friendly, competitive odds
- Promotions: $1,000 Deposit Match
- Total States Live: 21
Best NFL Betting App for Live Betting: FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel offers the best live betting section among all major sportsbook apps. Users can easily and quickly view the "Live now" section in the app to identify games in progress. Bettors will find a wide range of in-play betting options on this app and will get real-time updates on their placed bets. Plus, the operator uses Simplebet technology to offer micro-betting which allows bettors to wager on the outcome of the next play, turning every moment of the NFL game into a betting opportunity.
- App Features: Live betting, live streaming, early cashouts, odds boosts, user-friendly
- Promotions: $1,000 No Sweat First Bet
- Total States Live: 19
Choosing An NFL Betting App
The online sports betting industry is growing rapidly, and as a result, more and more sports betting apps are being developed and launched. Not all apps are created equal and it is important to choose the best app for your needs in order to have the best betting experience. Below are a handful of important features you should consider when deciding which NFL betting app is best for you.
Types of Bets Offered
Players may want to choose an NFL betting app based on the variety of bets they offer, as not all sportsbooks offer the same type of bets. For example, popular bets like same-game parlays, player props, and live, in-game wagers cannot be found on all sportsbook apps. Available betting markets will also vary from state to state pending regional legislation.
Odds and Betting Lines for NFL Games
The best NFL betting sites provide timely and sharp betting odds and lines for NFL games. During the NFL season, odds are typically posted for next week's game on Sunday evening on most major sports betting apps. These odds will fluctuate throughout the week leading up to the matchup based on how sports bettors are wagering. Something to look out for is that some sportsbooks will take a higher cut than others for just taking your bet - this is called "juice" or "vig" - and it is built into the betting odds.
NFL Betting Bonuses
When considering an NFL betting app, it is great to find a generous sign-up offer, but it is also important to consider ongoing promotions, betting bonuses and rewards program for current customers. The best NFL betting apps offer incentives to current customers to place bets, such as odds boosts that always moves the odds in the favor of the bettor. Also, the top sportsbooks will offer special promotions to reward frequent bettors.
User Experience
The best NFL betting apps will provide a smooth and positive experience to their users, by having an easy-to-use interface. The app should be easy to navigate, even for new-users. The top NFL sportsbook apps will make it clear where users can find specific odds, what type of bets can be placed and how to place a bet. You can learn about the experiences of users by reading reviews in the app store.
Deposits and Withdrawals
It is important that betting apps provide their customers with quick, easy, and secure transactions when making a deposit or withdrawing wins. The best sportsbook apps will provide their customers with plenty of banking options. Most importantly, collecting your winnings should not be complicated. Before placing a bet, ensure to check how long it takes to receive your funds after requesting a withdrawal, or whether or not the sportsbook has a minimum dollar value for processing withdrawals.
Customer Service
The top ranked sports betting apps will provide 24/7 customer service support. It is important that questions and concerns receive a quick response and that custom service can be contacted through various platforms. Before signing up for a sports betting app, check the hours of support offered, accessibility to custom service and custom service reviews for the app.
Get Started Betting On The NFL
Those in Maryland have plenty of options when it comes to which sportsbook app to use for your NFL betting needs. Some NFL betting apps are easier to use and more reliable than others, so it is important to do your research prior to choosing which platform is best for you.
Maryland NFL Betting Apps FAQ
Author
Michelle is an editorial researcher and fantasy writer for the NFL Network. She also is a co-host for the BallBlast Fantasy Football Podcast and the Gold Diggers Podcast on the 49ers Gold Standard Network.
