Maryland Prediction Markets: Best Sites & Legal Apps in 2026
Maryland prediction markets, like Kalshi and Polymarket, let you trade on real-world outcomes. This includes buying and selling contracts on Ravens and Orioles games, Gov. Wes Moore's reelection bid, and Maryland's spot in the Big Ten football standings. It's easy enough to learn, and because prices are set by other traders rather than a bookmaker, you can move in and out of positions before an event actually ends. That flexibility goes well beyond anything the sportsbooks offer you in the state.
- Five CFTC-approved prediction market apps compared
- Maryland legal status and state-specific rules
- Fees, trading steps and a complete trading example
- Trade on NFL, elections, entertainment and Maryland markets
2026 Prediction Markets Landscape
5
MD Prediction Apps
Number of apps operating in Maryland
14
Pending prediction apps
Applications pending, no launch date
100+
More than 100 different categories
active state-level challenges in 5+
3
Billion active markets
tracked by DeFi Rate
Best prediction market apps in Maryland
This guide compares the best prediction markets in Maryland and covers current promos and the state’s regulatory landscape.
Are prediction markets legal in Maryland?
Yes, at the time of this writing, but Maryland authorities are challenging that status in court. The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulates prediction markets in MD, which makes trading upon them legal in the state.
However, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCC) sent a cease-and-desist order to Kalshi in April 2025, stating that Kalshi was in violation of the state’s gambling laws by offering what it considered sports bets without a license to do so from the commission. In response, Kalshi sued numerous Maryland officials, arguing that the order violates the US Constitution.
In August 2025, US District Judge Adam B. Abelson denied Kalshi’s request for a preliminary injunction that would have barred the MLGCC and other state officials from enforcing the cease-and-desist demands. Kalshi shortly thereafter appealed that decision to the US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard oral arguments for that appeal in May 2026.
The three-judge panel from the Fourth Circuit has yet to issue its ruling on whether Adelson adjudicated the request for injunctive relief properly. While that lawsuit only concerns sports event contracts that MD prediction markets offer, Maryland State Election Administrator Jared DeMarinis has also questioned the legality of politics event contracts in a letter to the state prosecutor.
Maryland authorities have not acted on these developments, possibly in anticipation of the Fourth Circuit’s forthcoming decision. Marylanders should watch for updates related to that ruling.
Separately, the city of Baltimore filed its own lawsuits against Kalshi and Polymarket in Baltimore City Circuit Court in August 2026, alleging the platforms misled consumers about the legality of their sports contracts in the city. Kalshi called the suit “political theater” tied to the pending Fourth Circuit case. It’s the first time a US municipality has sued a prediction market operator directly.
MD prediction market apps reviewed
People interested in news around Baltimore sports, Maryland state politics, and the weather in the Old Line State will find appropriate event contracts on many prediction markets operating in MD. However, each of the CFTC-registered platforms has disparate strengths compared to the other exchanges that Marylanders should note.
- Kalshi: Best for traders interested in deposit yield
- Polymarket: Best for users who want to avoid high fees
- FanDuel Predicts: Best for people seeking favorable deposit terms
- OG: Best for Marylanders who prioritize reward programs
- DKeX: Best for providing a familiar user experience
1. Kalshi
Kalshi checks all the boxes in Maryland, providing a strong selection of markets with consistently deep volume and competitive fees, but its greatest advantage over other exchanges like Polymarket is that volume coupled with the fact that Kalshi pays interest on cash balances in traders’ accounts. At the same time, Kalshi can take longer to process withdrawal requests than DKeX, especially with new accounts.
Marylanders interested in contracts related to the Baltimore Orioles or Baltimore Ravens will find a stellar variety at Kalshi. The markets encompass Ravens win totals, Orioles playoff qualification, and much more.
| Kalshi | Details |
|---|---|
| Kalshi MD Bonus | Trade $10, Get $25 |
| Kalshi Promo Code | RATE |
| Markets available | Elections · Politics · Sports · Culture · Crypto · Commodities · Climate · Economics · Mentions · Companies · Financials · Tech And Science |
| App rating | App Store 4.7 (22k reviews) · Google Play 4.5 (3.1k reviews) |
| Terms & Conditions | New users only. $15 trade requirement within 90 days. Bonus non-withdrawable until completion. Eligible US states only. |
2. Polymarket US
Kalshi tops Polymarket in terms of reliable market depth and variety, but Polymarket outperforms all the exchanges on this list in terms of fees. Polymarket doesn’t charge a settlement fee on winning positions, giving it an edge over DKeX’s per-transaction fees and the rates Kalshi assesses on many market types.
People in MD who are fans of the Loyola Greyhounds or Maryland Terrapins will also find contracts relevant for their interests on Polymarket. You can trade on Maryland’s placement in the Big Ten football standings or whether Loyola’s men’s basketball team will qualify for the national championship tournament.
| Polymarket US | Details |
|---|---|
| Polymarket MD bonus | Deposit $10 get a $50 trading bonus |
| Polymarket promo code | RATE |
| Markets Available | Elections · Politics · Sports · Culture · Crypto · Commodities · Climate · Economics · Mentions · Companies · Financials · Tech And Science |
| App rating | App Store 4.7 (28k reviews) · Google Play 2.5 (7.1k reviews) |
| Terms & Conditions | 18+ Only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Not available in all jurisdictions. Trading is risky. 100% loss can occur. See polymarket.com/tos for more information. The Polymarket US App serves as an independent software provider and affiliate of Polymarket US and Polymarket Clearing, the CFTC-regulated exchange and clearing organization. |
3. FanDuel
There’s no sugarcoating that Kalshi and Polymarket best FanDuel Predicts for MD market variety, especially as FanDuel Predicts does not offer sports event contracts in Maryland. Still, the reasons to try FanDuel Predicts include its acceptance of a variety of payment methods and fast processing times for deposits.
FanDuel Predicts is a great option for people looking for political event contracts local to MD, such as whether current Gov. Wes Moore will win a second term in November. You can also get a jumpstart on whether the Democratic Party will retain US Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s seat in the 2028 elections.
| FanDuel | Details |
|---|---|
| FanDuel MD bonus | Trade $5, Get $100 |
| FanDuel promo code | Not Required |
| Available markets | Sports · Politics · Crypto · Commodities · Financials · Elections |
| App rating | App Store 4.8 (5.8k reviews) · Google Play 4.6 (1.4k reviews) |
| Terms & Conditions | 18+, Offer valid in AL, AK, CA, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, MN, NE, NM, ND, OK, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT. Available in 50 states + DC, Bonus credited within 72 hours. |
4. OG Predictions
OG Predictions is the only MD prediction market exchange that currently offers traders dedicated rewards for their activity on the app and website. With that being said, the biggest downside of OG Predictions is that it does not offer sports event contracts in Maryland.
Despite that fact, other categories of markets are competitive, like contracts on Baltimore weather events. The options also include contracts on box office performances of movies starring Maryland natives like Anna Faris.
| OG Predictions | Details |
|---|---|
| OG MD Bonus | 3.2 |
| Available Markets | Sports · Politics · Crypto · Finance |
How to trade prediction markets in Maryland
Marylanders following the Terrapins’ attempts to improve on their one-win Big Ten season in 2025 or US Rep. Jamie Raskin’s bid for a sixth consecutive term representing Maryland’s eighth congressional district will find the process of trading prediction markets similar to betting on sports. The six-step process to open an account has several especially similar aspects.
- Select an exchange: Before you commit, ensure that the exchange is registered with the CFTC and operates in Maryland. It’s also good to compare the contract offerings and fees.
- Share your account details: CFTC regulations demand that MD prediction markets collect information about your age and identity plus methods of contact.
- Redeem your welcome offer: Some new user bonuses require promo codes for activation while other exchanges automatically grant the offers. Check the terms of the deal for the exchange you’re interested in.
- Put money in your account: Traders can choose from ACH payments, debit cards, third-party wallets, or even some forms of cryptocurrencies with certain exchanges. Pick the platform that matches your preferences.
- Search contract listings: Prediction markets are simple “yes” or “no” contracts with clear pricing and simple terms for early exits. Start with contracts related to events that you are familiar with.
- Get your earnings: If your prediction proves accurate or you decide to sell early, you can withdraw your earnings as cash using the cashier section of the app or website. Note that the withdrawal processing times vary from exchange to exchange and based on the payment source you choose.
Example: Trading Baltimore Ravens futures
Kalshi is at the time of this writing offering a market on the number of regular-season wins that the Baltimore Ravens will collect during the 2026-27 NFL season. In that market, the “yes” side of 10 or more is currently trading at $0.76, while the “no” side is trading at $0.38.
Should a person in MD buy into the “yes” side at $0.76, and the Ravens win at least 10 regular-season games during the upcoming season, that contract would pay out at $1. If the Ravens win nine or fewer regular-season games, the contract would settle at $0.
The pricing on these markets shifts in response to trader demand, which is based on perception of relevant events. For example, if free agent acquisition Trey Hendrickson helps the Baltimore defense improve from last year significantly and the Ravens get off to a hot start, demand for the Ravens 10+ wins “yes” contract could soar.
If the price rises to $0.96, a person who bought in at $0.76 could sell and realize a profit of $0.20 at that point. The downside is that they would be giving up some potential profit that they could have had if they had waited the season out, but they get a sure return on their investment this way.
How fees work
Marylanders interested in Ravens or Orioles futures will find plenty of markets on MD prediction markets, but exchanges also charge fees that vary by platform and by contract price. Check each platform’s fee schedule before you trade, since the rules aren’t the same everywhere.
Fees are typically highest on contracts trading near the middle of the price range and taper off toward the extremes. A contract priced near $0.50 reflects the most uncertainty, so exchanges charge more to facilitate that trade; a contract priced near $0.10 or $0.90 reflects a market that has largely made up its mind, so the fee is smaller.
That structure matters more than it looks. Fees are typically assessed as a small percentage of the contract’s price rather than a flat percentage of your total spend, so the profit margin they eat into shifts depending on where you’re trading. A contract at $0.10 has far more room to run if you’re right — a $0.90 payout on a winning $0.10 contract — but a small fee still claims a larger share of that bigger potential profit than the same fee would on a $0.60 contract with less room to climb.
Run your own numbers with DeFi Rate’s fee calculator before you trade, especially on lower-priced, longer-odds contracts where fees have the most room to cut into your upside.
Upcoming sports events to trade on in Maryland
For the Orioles faithful in MD, the regular season is all about whether Baltimore qualifies for the postseason. With prediction markets in Maryland, the Orioles’ progress toward the playoffs can be an interesting trading opportunity.
As Baltimore loses and wins games, players hit the disabled list, and trades occur, interest in markets connected to the Orioles’ playoff fate will peak and wane. Traders who make the most out of that movement through a long 162-game regular season buy when the interest is low and sell when interest hits its peak.
| League | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | First Baltimore Ravens preseason game of the 2026–27 season | Aug. 15, 2026 |
| NCAA | Start of the 2026–27 college football season | Aug. 22, 2026 |
| MLB | 2026 playoffs | Sept. 29–Oct. 31, 2026 (if necessary) |
| WNBA | 2026 playoffs | Sept. 27–Oct. 30, 2026 (if necessary) |
| NCAA | Start of the 2026–27 college basketball season | Nov. 1, 2026 |
| NWSL | 2026 playoffs | Nov. 6–21, 2026 |
MD prediction markets vs. sports betting
People in Maryland have had access to legal and regulated sportsbooks since 2022. Those sportsbooks continue to thrive in MD under a different and separate regulatory structure than Maryland prediction markets operate within. That structure produces five main points of deviation.
- Cost: MD sportsbooks build their interest into bets with their lines while prediction market exchanges charge fees.
- Flexibility: Prediction market traders tend to wield more control over when they buy and sell contracts, whereas sportsbooks usually offer limited early cash-out options.
- Pricing: Event contract pricing is solely determined by demand for the markets. Bookmakers set their lines to protect their interest.
- Regulation: The CFTC regulates prediction market exchanges as the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission regulates sportsbooks in MD.
- Structure: Sports bettors wager against the book. Prediction market exchange users take out positions against each other.
The biggest difference between prediction market trading and sports wagering is that a sports bet is focused on the eventual outcome, while trading event contracts is about capitalizing on market demand.
What markets can you trade on in Maryland?
MD prediction markets accommodate an array of interests. Many contracts pertain to Maryland events and personalities, but there are also markets with global and national factors.
- Cryptocurrency: Marylanders tracking the price of several currencies can find relevant markets like when Bitcoin will hit $150k. The best exchange for these contracts is OG Predictions.
- Culture: People in MD can trade on a wide array of entertainment and news developments, like who will be the most-streamed artist on Spotify for 2026. The best platform in this category is FanDuel Predicts.
- Economics: Maryland prediction markets offer myriad contracts such as whether certain companies will be removed from the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2026. DKeX is the best pick for this trading.
- Politics: There is a strong selection of locally and nationally relevant markets, including whether Maryland’s constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting will survive its ongoing court appeal and appear on the November ballot. The top choice for these markets is Polymarket. For the complete national race map and live odds, see our 2026 midterms page.
- Sports: Kalshi is the destination of choice for MD residents and visitors looking to trade on sports, incorporating contracts on whether the Baltimore Ravens will win the AFC championship.
- Weather: You can trade on whether it will rain in Baltimore and other weather events across the globe. Marylanders should check out Kalshi here as well.
Maryland-specific rules for prediction markets
While the CFTC regulates prediction market trading in MD, there are still rules that Marylanders should note. This is especially true for people in Maryland who are familiar with traditional sports betting.
- Age-based restrictions: While Maryland law requires people to be at least 21 years old to gamble, CFTC regulations permit event contract trading from 18 years of age.
- Maryland election law: Maryland has banned licensed gambling enterprises offering wagering on elections. This could be part of litigation in the future, but for now, MD prediction market exchanges are offering contracts for Maryland elections.
- Tax implications: Neither the US IRS nor the Comptroller of Maryland have provided specific guidance on prediction market earnings as of the time of this writing. However, it’s wise to keep records of activity and consult a tax professional if you have either prediction market earnings or sports betting winnings.
How Maryland works between products
CFTC regulations govern every aspect of prediction market exchanges, but they also leave exchange operators some room to set their own policies. MD residents and visitors should check these platform rules for specific differences.
For example, DKeX, FanDuel Predicts, and OG Predictions do not offer sports event contracts in Maryland as of the time of this writing. Flutter CEO Peter Jackson explained the reasoning behind FanDuel Predicts’ policy on an earnings call: “We always said we wouldn’t do anything to damage our existing business.” DraftKings has taken the same approach with DKeX, and OG Predictions similarly excludes sports contracts in states with active gambling litigation, including Maryland.
Kalshi and Polymarket do not have Maryland gambling licenses, so there is less risk for them in offering sports event contracts. Another important point of distinction is the differences in contract settlement rules between exchanges and different types of markets on the same exchange.
Individual platforms will have unique policies on when contracts settle and what measures they use to determine settlement. These policies can also differ based on the market type, i.e., economics or entertainment.
All MD prediction markets will be watching for developments in numerous court cases around the country and will adjust their products according to their positions in the industry.
Prediction markets continue to evolve
Numerous courts, including those concerning Maryland, are venues for disputes over the legality of prediction market trading. This is especially relevant in regard to sports event contracts on the exchanges.
A Kalshi-led lawsuit challenged MD officials’ attempt to enforce the state’s gambling laws in curtailing sports event contracts on its exchange. The federal district court ruled in favor of the Maryland officials, but Kalshi has appealed that decision to the US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
As the parties wait for a decision from the Fourth Circuit, officials in nearby New Jersey are also seeking Supreme Court review of a favorable ruling for Kalshi. Those NJ authorities are also challenging the legality of sports event contracts, with the potential for a Supreme Court ruling to affect their availability everywhere in the US including MD.
Latest news updates
- August 13, 2026: The city of Baltimore sues Kalshi and Polymarket in Baltimore City Circuit Court, alleging their sports contracts constitute unlicensed sports wagering, the first time a US municipality has sued prediction market operators directly.
- July 23, 2026: Maryland State Administrator of Elections Jared DeMarinis sent a letter to the state prosecutor questioning the legality of elections-based event contracts
- May 7, 2026: The US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in Kalshi v. Martin
- August 1, 2025: The US District Court for the District of Maryland denied Kalshi’s request for a preliminary injunction in Kalshi v. Martin
- April 21, 2025: Kalshi sues Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission Secretary John A. Martin and other state officials
- April 7, 2025: The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission sends cease-and-desist orders to numerous exchange operators, telling them that their sports event contracts represent illegal gambling.
Things to know before you trade in Maryland
MD residents and visitors should be aware of a few items prior to fully engaging in prediction market trading.
- Age restrictions are different for prediction markets: CFTC regulations permit event contract trading for people as young as 18 years of age.
- Exchanges determine individual policies on several issues: Platforms set their own rules for contract settlement and make their own decisions on which types of markets to offer.
- Litigation could change exchange access at any time: Court decisions could compel exchanges to stop offering certain types of contracts or completely exit Maryland. This is especially pertinent for elections- and sports-based markets.
- Sportsbooks are still available and thriving in MD: Licensed sportsbooks are still operating in Maryland, including DraftKings- and FanDuel-branded books alongside DKeX and FanDuel Predicts.
State-by-state resources
Availability data verified weekly. Operator footprints reflect platform terms — sports-specific markets on some operators may have additional state-level restrictions.
FAQ
Yes, as of the time of this writing. A forthcoming decision from the US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals could impact that status, though.
Our top pick for Marylanders is Kalshi due to its competitive fees, deep market volume, stellar contract variety including sports, and wide acceptance of payment methods.
Yes, at this time. State elections administrators have questioned the legality of elections event contracts but there has been no formal enforcement of state law on the subject to date.
Yes, but only on the exchanges that offer such contracts. In MD, those are Kalshi and Polymarket.
CFTC rules give exchanges the option to accept trades from people as young as 18 years old. Accordingly, that is the minimum age on most platforms.
In terms of Maryland’s dispute with Kalshi, Kalshi is on the offensive but also at a disadvantage, as the initial court ruling on its petition for a preliminary injunction against MD officials was denied. In disputes with other state governments, similar petitions were granted affecting states like Arizona and New Jersey.
Because the CFTC regulates prediction market exchanges instead of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission, MD does not tax exchanges like it does gambling licensees. However, people who trade on Maryland prediction market exchanges may still owe income tax on any earnings they claim.
