Maryland’s sports wagering market had the best month in its short history in October, with the 13 retail and 12 mobile sportsbooks combining to generate $5,812,245 in contributions to the state. Each sportsbook pays 15% of its taxable win to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public education programs.
The October contribution to the state was the best single-month total by 9.5%, surpassing the $5,310,057 generated in March 2023. October’s handle was Maryland’s second-best single-month total, trailing only December 2022 ($497,121,656).
Through the first four months of fiscal 2024 (July-October 2023), sports wagering has contributed more than $14.9 million to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund.
Statewide handle in October totaled $483,147,391, with mobile handle accounting for 95.9% of the total at $463,502,423. Mobile wagering delivered $5,501,528 in contributions to the state during October, while retail sportsbooks contributed $310,717.
“People love to bet on football, and that is certainly reflected in the handle this time of year,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin. “The Ravens’ success and college football are contributing factors, and there is a convergence of the seasons in October, with the baseball playoffs and World Series and the start of hockey and basketball. From an overall perspective, the results show that a robust market has taken shape here in Maryland and is making a steady contribution to the state’s education programs.”
A detailed summary of each sportsbook’s October 2023 results are available for download at mdgaming.com. Here are the statewide sports wagering totals for October 2023:
Handle (Amount players wagered, including free promotional wagers)
• Retail: $19,644,968 (includes $9,252 in free promotional wagers)
• Mobile: $463,502,423 (includes $19,368,480 in free promotional wagers)
• Combined: $483,147,391
Prizes (Winnings paid to players)
• Retail: $17,670,331
• Mobile: $406,775,150
• Combined: $424,445,481
Hold (Handle less prizes paid)
• Retail: $1,974,636 (10.1%)
• Mobile: $56,727,273 (12.2%)
• Combined: $58,701,910 (12.1%)
Taxable Win (Amount remaining after deducting prizes, promotional wagers and other amounts)
• Retail: $2,071,445
• Mobile: $36,676,856
• Combined: $38,748,301
Sports Wagering Tax (15% of the Taxable Win)
• Retail: $310,717
• Mobile: $5,501,528
• Combined: $5,812,245
Since the inception of Maryland’s sports wagering program in December 2021:
• Cumulative contribution to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund: $43,053,680
• Cumulative expired prizes contributed to the Problem Gambling Fund: $2,651,628
As of the end of October 2023, there were 13 retail sports wagering locations and 12 mobile operators. Additional retail locations and mobile sportsbooks are expected to launch in the near future.