Sports betting in Md.: what’s legal, what’s not?

Ahead of the NFL season, officials are expecting football bets to top 90 billion dollars this season. 98 percent of bets are considered illegal, according to American Gaming Association (‘AGA’).

Aside from state-controlled betting, such as slot machines or games in casinos, Maryland prohibits wagers; however, William Hall, a defense attorney in Salisbury, explains penalties vary between 600 and 1,000 dollars.

Hall admits prosecution is unlikely.

“The manpower’s not there,” he says. “You kind of get past the giggle factor, you know. Is a prosecutor going to spend their time prosecuting a case where two friends betting a small amount of money?”

Through an informal survey, some football fans tell 47ABC they had no idea what they considered fun bets between friends was actually against the law.

Snow Hill resident Nick Johnson says he’s participated in fantasy football through a snake draft format, but he was surprised at the figure from the AGA.

“I think that’s pretty high. I mean, 98 percent? I know there’s a lot of like legal betting, but 98 percent? That’s a big number,” says Johnson.

Salisbury resident and Denver Broncos fan Mike Wheeler admits participated in casual bet in the last Superbowl, but he doesn’t see the harm.

“Really, just because…that’s my favorite team, really. And just to…show who’s better, I guess,” explains Wheeler. “The main thing is winning the money, for real.”

Hall warns while prosecution for illegal sports betting is rare, it’s not completely unheard of.

“There have been prosecutions here in Wicomico County in the past where certain betting rings were broken up, and those cases were prosecuted,” he says.

Earlier this summer, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot proposed regulations for daily fantasy sports betting in the state.

According to Comptroller Franchot, regulations are needed to help ensure the games are fair and that winners pay appropriate state taxes.