A majority of it is going to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
Baltimore, Md (KM) Maryland Lottery and Gaming says $15,736,889 in contributions were handed over to the state from sports wagering. Spokesman Seth Elkin says that includes $11,849,429 which will be provided to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, an educational reform plan, and $3,887,460 for the state’s general fund.
Elkin says this is the second best that Maryland has had when it comes to contributions to the state’s from sports betting. “December is a typically a busy time on the calendar. There are many sports in season. So it’s a month when we see many strong numbers. December, 2025, was the sixth best month we’ve had in terms of the amount of money that was wagered, and the second best month in terms of contributions to the state,” he says.
Much of the sports betting in December was on football, particularly as teams are playing each other to see if they’ll make it to the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Elkin says sports betting will continue after football season is over as college basketball playoffs begin.
“The end of the December marked the midway point of the fiscal year,” Elkin continues. “And we’ve had more than $78-million now in contributions to the state in sports wagering. And just by way of comparison, we had $88.9 million for all of last fiscal year. So we’re very much on page to surpass the contributions this year.”
Elkin points out that not all of the funding for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future comes from sports betting. “No one intended for this to be the one thing that funded education funding or funded the Blueprint,” he says. “It wasn’t intended as a way to supplement education funding, and that’s what it’s doing.”
There are 11 sportsbook locations and 12 mobile locations in Maryland, including Caesars Sportsbook at the Clarion Inn in Frederick.
Maryland Lottery and Gaming reminds residents that they can get help if they have a gambling problem. They can call 1-800-GAMBLER, or go on line to MDGambling.org.
By Kevin McManus