Sports fans excited to finally bet on March Madness at Maryland casinos – WBAL TV Baltimore

Sports fans excited to finally bet on March Madness at Maryland casinos

Updated: 7:59 PM EDT Mar 18, 2022

For years, college basketball fans traveled to Las Vegas to bet on March Madness, but Marylanders don't need to do that anymore. As betting on the games is as easy as heading to a local casino.It started with the Super Bowl and now another first in Maryland -- people are finally able to bet legally on March Madness and a lot of folks are taking advantage of that opportunity.A number of upsets in the men's NCAA basketball tournament have brackets busting everywhere."My bracket is already busted so, so yes, I'm hoping that these bets come through," sports bettor Camille Stokes said.Stokes was at Horseshoe Casino Friday and said it's nice to be able to bet on other games so she can keep some interest."It's exciting. I do a bracket just about every year or sometimes multiple brackets, so it is exciting to be able to actually bet money in your state," Stokes said.The recent passage of sports gambling in Maryland has had Baltimore area residents going to casinos like Horseshoe and Live! in Anne Arundel County to place their bets on their favorite teams and sometimes not so favorite."Folks do normally lean on the favorites a little bit but with these wides preads on the 1 vs. 16 games and the 2 vs. 15 games, you can have a little bit of fun and play with the underdogs there too," Horseshoe Casino's Tom York said.Sports bettor Martese Kelly showed 11 News his strategy, written out carefully by hand, enjoying the opportunity to make a friendly wager."I like Duke. I like Alabama. I like Purdue. I like Illinois and Villanova," Kelly said. "I think its a good thing for the city. I think its good for people that like to gamble because it gives you an opportunity to make some money."It's even a bonding experience for some. Jon Ackerman and his son lee spent Friday afternoon together, wagering and having a blast."You can go to a roulette table and put money down and lose it really quick, but with this, you can bet, and you can stay here and watch sports like you would normally want to its just a lot more fun," sports bettor Lee Ackerman said.

For years, college basketball fans traveled to Las Vegas to bet on March Madness, but Marylanders don't need to do that anymore. As betting on the games is as easy as heading to a local casino.

It started with the Super Bowl and now another first in Maryland -- people are finally able to bet legally on March Madness and a lot of folks are taking advantage of that opportunity.

A number of upsets in the men's NCAA basketball tournament have brackets busting everywhere.

"My bracket is already busted so, so yes, I'm hoping that these bets come through," sports bettor Camille Stokes said.

Stokes was at Horseshoe Casino Friday and said it's nice to be able to bet on other games so she can keep some interest.

"It's exciting. I do a bracket just about every year or sometimes multiple brackets, so it is exciting to be able to actually bet money in your state," Stokes said.

The recent passage of sports gambling in Maryland has had Baltimore area residents going to casinos like Horseshoe and Live! in Anne Arundel County to place their bets on their favorite teams and sometimes not so favorite.

"Folks do normally lean on the favorites a little bit but with these wides preads on the 1 vs. 16 games and the 2 vs. 15 games, you can have a little bit of fun and play with the underdogs there too," Horseshoe Casino's Tom York said.

Sports bettor Martese Kelly showed 11 News his strategy, written out carefully by hand, enjoying the opportunity to make a friendly wager.

"I like Duke. I like Alabama. I like Purdue. I like Illinois and Villanova," Kelly said. "I think its a good thing for the city. I think its good for people that like to gamble because it gives you an opportunity to make some money."

It's even a bonding experience for some. Jon Ackerman and his son lee spent Friday afternoon together, wagering and having a blast.

"You can go to a roulette table and put money down and lose it really quick, but with this, you can bet, and you can stay here and watch sports like you would normally want to its just a lot more fun," sports bettor Lee Ackerman said.

See original here:

Sports fans excited to finally bet on March Madness at Maryland casinos - WBAL TV Baltimore