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While the online bookies were no doubt thrilled over San Francisco’s win against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, not so with the Baltimore Ravens.
It’s not just because 65 percent of the betting public was backing Baltimore on the spread while 85 percent of those wagering the money line at 3/1 odds had Baltimore winning outright.
The problem with the Ravens winning – local fans won’t be able to place their bets online.
That’s because the Baltimore US Attorney has gone after online gambling websites hard in recent years, forcing them out of the Maryland market.
“It’s indeed sad,” acknowledged Don Shapiro of Gambling911.com. “Maryland and Washington State residents have been all but banned from betting sports online due to the strong arm tactics of political and law enforcement in those respective states. This as other states like New Jersey are looking for fully legalize online sports betting and host such sites within their borders."
And there are plenty of would-be gamblers living in the Baltimore area as that team ranks number 11 in terms of television viewership currently.
Some books may still take action from Maryland residents, but at their own risk.
Ironically, those living in the state will more than likely find themselves having to place bets with street corner bookies, which in turn could end up exhausing local law enforcement resources.
- Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com
