NHL Betting: The Best Online Sportsbooks in Maryland for Hockey

Maryland launched online betting on November 23, 2022, and the state now has 12 licensed sportsbooks competing for your action. Sharp NHL odds, deep player props, constant promos, and serious line shopping opportunities make Maryland one of the most competitive betting markets on the East Coast, even without a home team. Proximity to Washington D.C. means Capitals fans get plenty of action.

Is NHL Betting Legal in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland legalized sports betting through a ballot measure in November 2020 (Question 2). Online/mobile betting launched on November 23, 2022.

Quick facts:

You must be 21 or older. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) regulates all sports betting activity. The MLGCA investigates all online sportsbooks before approving licenses to ensure they're reputable, secure, financially stable, and treat customers fairly. Maryland currently has 12 licensed online sportsbooks as of November 2025: FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, BetRivers, ESPN BET, Bally Bet, betPARX, Crab Sports, and LetsBetMD. Remote registration is allowed, sign up and bet entirely through mobile apps from anywhere in-state. Maryland law allows for up to 60 mobile sportsbook licenses, 47 retail licenses, and 3 reserved licenses for potential major professional sports team relocations.

Read more: Best Sports Betting Bonuses and Promos in Maryland

Legal books protect your funds and offer consumer protections impossible on offshore sites. Stick with licensed operators.

Top Sportsbooks for NHL Betting in Maryland

Maryland's loaded with options. Here's where to bet hockey based on what matters most.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Maryland Partner: Live! Casino & Hotel (also official betting partner of Baltimore Orioles)

FanDuel was one of the first sportsbooks to launch in Maryland (November 23, 2022) and offers the best overall odds of all MD betting apps. Sharp puck line pricing, extensive player props (shots, assists, goals, saves, power play points), responsive live betting, and creative NHL same-game parlays. Phenomenal mobile app with real-time goalie and injury updates. No minimum withdrawal requirement.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins.

Best for: All Maryland hockey bettors, FanDuel is the default choice.

Caesars Sportsbook

Maryland Partner: Horseshoe Baltimore

Caesars offers the best odds boosts among Maryland sportsbooks. Daily NHL boosts on select markets, sharp pricing, and the industry's best loyalty program (Caesars Rewards). Live streaming of select games available. 24/7 customer support.

Welcome offer: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings on Your Next 20 Bets (code SBO20X).

Best for: Bettors seeking daily boosts and loyalty rewards.

Shurzy Tip: Caesars' daily odds boosts are clutch. Check them every morning, they run NHL boosts constantly, especially on Capitals games and playoff matchups. Stack those with your regular bets.

BetMGM

Maryland Partner: MGM National Harbor

BetMGM is the best Maryland sportsbook for spread betting (puck lines). Aggressive promotional calendar with NHL-specific boosts. Deep parlay betting options ("One Game Parlay" feature). Retail access at MGM National Harbor.

Welcome offer: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet doesn't win.

Best for: Puck line bettors and promotion seekers.

DraftKings Sportsbook

Maryland Partner: Independent

DraftKings is the best sportsbook in Maryland for betting on niche sports and offers deep NHL player props. Shots on goal, assists, blocked shots markets are extensive. Flash Bets allow rapid in-game wagering. Shared wallet between DFS and sportsbook.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $200 in bonus bets + 3 months NBA League Pass.

Best for: Prop-focused bettors and DFS players.

Shurzy Tip: DraftKings' Flash Bets are clutch for live betting. Quick one-tap wagers during power plays or momentum shifts, no fumbling through menus while the game's moving.

bet365

Maryland Partner: Independent

bet365 is globally renowned for its best-in-class live betting platform. NHL in-game odds update in real-time with exceptional speed. Live streaming of select events, early cash-out options, and deep futures markets.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $150 or $1,000 First Bet Safety Net.

Best for: Live-action bettors and futures-focused players.

Fanatics Sportsbook

Maryland Partner: Independent

Fanatics is the best Maryland sportsbook for heavy bettors due to the FanCash rewards program, earn cash back on every bet. Daily odds boosts, comprehensive NHL coverage, modern platform design.

Welcome offer: Bet and Get up to $2,000 in FanCash Bet Insurance.

Best for: High-volume bettors seeking rewards.

Read more: NFL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Football Season

NHL Bet Types in Maryland

Maryland sportsbooks offer the full spectrum of NHL bets. Here's what you can play.

Moneyline Betting

Pick the winner, straight up. Shop for best pricing across Maryland's 12 books, FanDuel consistently offers the best overall odds.

Puck Line (-1.5 / +1.5)

Hockey's spread. Favorites must win by 2+ goals (-1.5), underdogs get a 1.5-goal cushion. BetMGM is best for spread betting in Maryland.

Shurzy Tip: With 12 sportsbooks in Maryland, puck line shopping is mandatory. A -110 at FanDuel might be -105 at BetMGM. Over a full season, that's real money. Don't be lazy.

Total Goals (Over/Under)

Usually set between 5.5 and 6.5 goals per game. ESPN BET excels at totals in Maryland.

Player Props

The fastest-growing NHL market. Anytime goal scorer, shots on goal (3+, 4+), assists, saves (goalies), power play points, and blocked shots. DraftKings offers the deepest menus.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About NBA Prop Betting

Period Betting

Bet specific periods: 1st-period moneyline, 1st-period total, 2nd-period total, 3rd-period moneyline. All Maryland books offer period markets.

Shurzy Tip: Period betting is underrated for tight games. If you're expecting a defensive slugfest, bet the first-period under instead of the full game. You dodge empty-net chaos and overtime coin flips.

Team & Game Props

Team total goals, both teams to score, overtime (yes/no), winning margin, race to 3 goals. Available across all major Maryland books.

NHL Parlays & Same Game Parlays

Standard and SGP options available across all Maryland books. FanDuel and DraftKings lead on NHL SGPs.

NHL Futures Betting

Stanley Cup winner, Conference winners, division winners, Hart/Vezina/Calder Trophy odds, team win totals. bet365 and Caesars have deep futures markets.

Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season

NHL Betting Bonuses & Promos in Maryland

Maryland's competitive market drives aggressive promotions. Here's what to watch for.

• Welcome Bonuses: All 12 sportsbooks offer new customer promotions. Current highlights include FanDuel's Bet $5, Get $150 if your bet wins, DraftKings' Bet $5, Get $200 + NBA League Pass, Caesars' double winnings on next 20 bets, BetMGM's up to $1,500 back if first bet loses, bet365's Bet $5, Get $150 or $1,000 Safety Net, Fanatics' up to $2,000 in FanCash Bet Insurance, BetRivers' 2nd Chance Bet up to $500, LetsBetMD's double welcome bonus, and betPARX's large welcome bonus.
• Odds Boosts: Caesars offers the best daily odds boosts. Regional matchups (Capitals vs. rivals) frequently feature boosted odds.
• Parlay Profit Boosts: 3+ leg parlays often receive 25-50% payout boosts across multiple books.
• Playoff Specials: Stanley Cup Playoffs bring enhanced promotional activity across all books.

Shurzy Tip: Check multiple sportsbook promotion tabs daily. Maryland's 12-operator market means frequent, rotating offers. Track promo expiration dates and stack bonuses strategically. This is a bonus-hunting paradise.

Expert NHL Betting Tips for Maryland Bettors

Here's how to bet smarter on hockey in Maryland.

1. Watch Goalie Announcements Closely: A backup goalie can flip a line 2-3 goals instantly. Check official team sources 30 minutes before puck drop. Maryland books update quickly, but there's often a brief window to capture value.
2. Consider Back-to-Back Situations: Teams playing consecutive nights face fatigue. The team on night two of a back-to-back allows more goals. Factor this into totals and puck lines.
3. Shurzy Tip: Back-to-backs hit differently in hockey. If a team's on the second night and traveling, fade them hard. Books price it in somewhat, but casual bettors sleep on this edge, especially late season.
4. Track Pace & Expected Goals (xG): Raw win/loss records can mislead. Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality and predicts future performance. Free resources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey.
5. Home-Ice Advantage Isn't Massive: NHL home advantage is modest, roughly 3-4% edge in win percentage. Don't overweight home teams, but use it as a tiebreaker when models are close.
6. Look for Underdog Value: NHL's low scoring creates frequent underdog wins. Moneylines and +1.5 puck lines often offer value overlooked by casual bettors.
7. Shop Maryland's Deep Market: With 12 sportsbooks competing, pricing varies meaningfully. A 5-cent difference on a puck line or 10-cent difference on a moneyline compounds into real money over a season. Check at least 3 books before betting.
8. Leverage Capitals Knowledge: Maryland bettors near Washington D.C. can leverage knowledge of the Capitals to find value before national sharps adjust lines.

How to Start Betting on NHL Games in Maryland

Getting started is simple. Here's the play-by-play.

• Pick a licensed sportsbook: From FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, bet365, Fanatics, BetRivers, ESPN BET, Bally Bet, betPARX, Crab Sports, or LetsBetMD. Create an account by downloading the app or visiting the website with accurate info (full name, DOB, address, last four of SSN). Must be 21+.
• Remote registration: Means you can open an account from anywhere in Maryland. Verify identity by uploading your driver's license or passport. Deposit funds via debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, or e-wallets.
• Claim promotions: By checking the "Promotions" tab for NHL-specific offers. Navigate to NHL/Hockey to find upcoming games with moneylines, puck lines, totals, and props. Compare odds across at least 3 books before placing bets. Place your first bet, start simple with moneylines, puck lines, or anytime goal scorer. Track results and refine your strategy over time.
• Beginner-friendly bets: Anytime goal scorer (lower variance), puck lines (better payouts), first-period unders (less chaotic).

Safe, Responsible Hockey Betting in Maryland

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency ensures all 12 licensed sportsbooks comply with consumer protection laws. Your funds are protected, and identity verification prevents underage gambling.

All Maryland sportsbooks offer deposit limits (daily, weekly, monthly), wager limits, time-out periods, and self-exclusion options. Use these tools proactively.

Responsible Gambling Resources:

• Maryland Center for Excellence on Problem Gambling: 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
• Gamblers Anonymous: Meetings throughout Maryland

If betting ever feels like a burden, reach out. Maryland's resources are confidential and free.

Never bet money you can't afford to lose. Avoid chasing losses. Track your bets. Stick to a plan. Separate betting funds from your everyday account.

Final Thoughts: Maryland's Best for NHL Betting

Maryland's sports betting market is among the most competitive on the East Coast with 12 licensed online sportsbooks competing for your attention.

FanDuel is the top overall choice, best overall odds, sharp pricing, deep props, excellent SGP markets. Caesars offers the best daily odds boosts and loyalty rewards. BetMGM excels for puck line (spread) betting. DraftKings leads on niche sports and deep player props. bet365 dominates live betting and market depth. Fanatics is best for high-volume bettors with FanCash rewards. Crab Sports and LetsBetMD offer Maryland-only local options.

Maryland bettors near D.C. can leverage local knowledge of the Capitals for edges. Combine that knowledge with disciplined bankroll management and responsible gambling, and you'll maximize your NHL betting enjoyment.