Betfred Announces Departure from Maryland Sports Betting Market

3 min read
Jun 25, 2024, 10:50 AM

Betfred Announces Quick Departure from Maryland Sports Betting Market

End of an Era for Betfred in Maryland

Betfred has officially announced its upcoming departure from the Maryland sports betting market, with plans to shut down its in-person sportsbook at Long Shot’s in Frederick, MD, on June 30. The Betfred sports betting app will follow, ceasing operations on July 31. This decision was confirmed during a recent Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission meeting, marking a significant shift in the state's sports betting landscape.

A closed Betfred betting shop

A closed Betfred betting shop (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Betfred’s Journey in Maryland

Since its launch in Maryland in November 2022, Betfred has accepted $20.1 million in bets, generating $1.48 million in revenue. This accounts for less than 0.5% of the market share, a stark contrast to the dominating presence of leaders like FanDuel, which processed $195.2 million in online bets in the last month alone. FanDuel generated $11.7 billion in group revenue in FY2023, a 24.9% increase year-over-year. 

New Sportsbooks Ready to Stake Their Claim

As Betfred exits, the Maryland market is set to welcome new players. Veterans Services Corporation (VSC) will start operations as a mobile-only betting service on July 1, having showcased a successful product demonstration in May, 2024. Details about this new entrant can be followed on Maryland's Gaming Commission’s updates.

Bally Bet is also on the brink of launching its services in Maryland, with plans to go live next month. The precise launch date is yet to be confirmed, mirroring their upcoming Massachusetts launch, outlined in the latest commission report.

Additionally, Betr, a microbetting platform, awaits final approval to enter the Maryland market, having applied for a sports betting license earlier in the year.

Betfred’s Still Operating in Other States

Despite withdrawing from Maryland, Betfred continues to maintain a presence in nine other U.S. states. In regions where detailed data is available—such as Arizona, Iowa, and Ohio—Betfred’s market performance closely mirrors its Maryland experience. In these states, Betfred’s lifetime revenue totals $4.48 million from $166 million in bets. Notably, in Ohio, Betfred has partnered with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals, generating $1.91 million in revenue and issuing $2.65 million in free bets

With 20+ years of writing experience across sports, gambling, regulation, technology, and startups, Sol brings a broad understanding to his role as Editor-in-Chief at RG. His work provides clear, factual information to help readers make informed decisions about gambling. Sol’s approach is about transparency and research, so the content at RG is straightforward, evidence-based, and accessible.

At RG, Sol keeps the focus on the reader by maintaining a standard of reliability and integrity in the information shared. Under his editorial direction, RG aims to provide practical insights into sports and sports entertainment that support a balanced and informed approach. Sol’s approach has helped RG become a go-to source for readers looking to engage responsibly and thoughtfully in the industry.

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Paruyr Shahbazyan started his business career as an entrepreneur in 2000. Over 13 years, he learned business and leadership, which laid the foundation for his career.

In 2013, Paruyr entered the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating, an online media platform he led until 2020. The platform focuses on in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting and has gained a reputation for quality content.

In 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This shows his commitment to technology in the sports betting space. Through all these experiences, Paruyr has been shaping and influencing the betting industry, setting new trends and standards.

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Sol Fayerman-Hansen
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Editor-in-Chief

With 20+ years of writing experience across sports, gambling, regulation, technology, and startups, Sol brings a broad understanding to his role as Editor-in-Chief at RG. His work provides clear, factual information to help readers make informed decisions about gambling. Sol’s approach is about transparency and research, so the content at RG is straightforward, evidence-based, and accessible.

At RG, Sol keeps the focus on the reader by maintaining a standard of reliability and integrity in the information shared. Under his editorial direction, RG aims to provide practical insights into sports and sports entertainment that support a balanced and informed approach. Sol’s approach has helped RG become a go-to source for readers looking to engage responsibly and thoughtfully in the industry.

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Daria Tuboltseva
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Daria went to St. Petersburg State University and earned a bachelor of international journalism. Working as a sports journalist from 2014, from 2016 as a hockey journalist. Covered 5 World Championships, 2022 Winter Olympics, 2020 World Juniors, 6 Gagarin Cup Finals. 

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