Survey: One in four people in Maryland interested in sports betting

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According to a recent survey by Goucher College, One in four people in Maryland is interested in placing a bet on sports in 2024.

Goucher College’s survey involved 800 adult-aged Marylanders, with the data collected from April 18 to 23, 2023. The survey, which has a 3.5 percent margin of error, says that men are more likely than women to participate in sports betting.

The survey suggests that interest levels in sports betting decline with age. More than one in three people ages 18 to 34 said they were likely to wager on sports, while less than one in four people ages 35 to 55 and slightly more than one in ten people older than 55 reported their interest in sports wagering.

Education level also affects an interest in sports betting, with one in four people without a higher education degree saying they are likely to participate while only one in five college graduates saying so.

There is no significant difference between Republicans and Democrats regarding interest in sports betting, but moderates are more likely to bet on sports games than conservatives and progressives.

Maryland’s sports betting scene

In 2020, Marylanders voted in favor of legalizing sports betting within their state. Two years later, online wagering became available to bettors.

Currently, sixteen firms can legally service mobile sports betting in Maryland, per Lottery and Gaming Control Agency data.

The recently qualified Queen Sportsbook Maryland still requires another approval to operate mobile sports betting service. The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission will conduct a meeting later this month to consider awarding the Delaware-based sportsbook a mobile license.

After Queen Sportsbook Maryland, the commission will grant five more mobile licenses.

Maryland’s legal gaming industry generated over $5.3 million in revenue in March, up from $2.8 million the month before. It was the highest monthly revenue generated since the legalization of sports betting, with the March Madness contributing most of the revenue.

The Lottery and Gaming Control Agency will publish revenue for April next week, although revenue is expected to dip after the March Madness tournament.