Maryland is preparing to welcome bet365 to its growing sports betting market, where it will join industry leaders such as FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM.
Maryland Gives the Green Light
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) approved bet365’s application during a hearing, just hours after the operator teased its expansion plans with promotional hints earlier in the day.
The approval marks bet365’s 15th state license in the US. Only weeks ago, the operator debuted in Kansas, following simultaneous launches in Tennessee and Illinois back in March. The momentum underscores bet365’s determination to accelerate its American footprint throughout 2025.
Betting Market Impact
Maryland’s sports betting market accepted $364.1 million in wagers in July. Had the figure been only $900,000 higher, analysts noted it would have been an even more symbolic sign of the British bookmaker’s imminent arrival.
Industry watchers now wait to see whether bet365 can disrupt Maryland’s competitive landscape, where the biggest players already dominate market share.
Timing Ahead of NFL Kickoff
The NFL season begins on September 5, traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for sportsbooks. With the license now secured, bet365 has just enough time to launch operations and capitalize on the surge in betting activity around kickoff.
Busy Month for MLGCA
The regulator itself has had a hectic August. Earlier this month, the MLGCA rescinded a lottery contract awarded to Intralot after determining that the company’s proposal failed to comply with state procurement laws.
Meanwhile, bet365 expects to issue an official statement soon. The announcement will likely highlight not only the Maryland approval but also the company’s recent partnership with Inspired Entertainment, which will deliver a range of virtual sports products to its US platform.
