December was the best month for Maryland’s sports betting market, with sportsbooks generating $6.48 million in contributions to the state from a handle of $559.87 million. A 96.7% portion of December’s handle came from online wagering. To be more precise:
- $541,650,934 came through online sports betting
- $18,214,529 came from retail sportsbooks
The December handle represents a 1.66% monthly growth, exceeding the previous record of more than $550.72 million set in November. The figure also shows a 12.62% annual increase from December 2022’s $497.12 million.
Maryland’s sports gambling market has expanded drastically since retail locations launched in December 2021. The number of online operators also increased from introducing the first seven in November 2022.
Maryland players have 13 retail locations and 12 mobile sportsbooks to choose from, with more expected to launch.
Maryland sports betting generates $6.48M for the state in December
Each sportsbook pays 15% of its taxable win to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public education programs.
In terms of revenue, the overall taxable win in December was $62.33 million, a 49.73% monthly increase but a 26.81% annual drop.
Of the total $6.48 million sports betting tax, online sports betting delivered $6.17 million in contributions to the state during December, while retail sportsbooks paid $316,369.
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming’s December 2023 report says that, since the inception of Maryland’s sports betting program in December 2021, sportsbooks have paid:
- $52,735,612 to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund
- $2,765,070 in cumulative expired prizes to the Problem Gambling Fund
Tax payments totalled $24.59M in the first six months of FY2023
The 12 months of fiscal calendar year 2023 produced a massive $46.17 million in contributions to the state from sports betting. During the first six months of Fiscal Year 2024 (July 2023 through December 2023), sports betting contributed $24.59 million to the state.
Commenting on the market’s growth, Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin said:
“The numbers we’re seeing over the last six to 12 months reflect the maturation of the market. Initial estimates projected annual contributions from sports wagering to range between $25 million and $30 million. However, with over a year of mobile wagering, the state anticipates annual contributions exceeding $40 million.”
DraftKings led Maryland online casinos in December
Observing individual sportsbooks, DraftKings Casino was the No. 1 online operator in December, recording $10.01 million in taxable win from a $167.12 million betting handle.
MGM National Harbor was the MD retail sportsbook leader with a $5.16 million betting handle, while Live! Casino reported the highest taxable win of $592,219.