The Maryland Racing Commission has released a new set of dates for off-track betting (OTB) in Timonium, causing the already-packed social calendar to become even more hectic.
For the first time since 1971, Maryland will allow horse racing fans to wager on the results of sporting events, including the popular Preakness Stakes and the prestigious Belmont Stakes (both on May 20).
Prior to the release of the new dates, May 20 was the last day on which fans could legally place bets at the track. With the exception of the Breeder’s Cup, which was held in December, fans had to wait until after the last race to place wagers.
This period of uncertainty caused the already-packed social calendar to become even more hectic. Some fans were fortunate enough to get their fix on May 19, the day before the announcement, while others were forced to wait until May 21.
While some may still be annoyed that OTB is being legalized, racing fans in Maryland may finally have some relief. This year’s OTB season will start on a different date than normal, so horseplayers will no longer have to rush to make wagers before the season ends.
New Dates For Old Sport
The Maryland Racing Commission has always maintained that racing should be a family-friendly pastime, and they have tried to appease worried parents by implementing programs like Kids’ Day at the races and all-you-can-eat family race packages. While these initiatives have helped, the commission has now made it official and has extended the hours that OTB will be available to the public. Check out the new OTB hours below.
- Horseplayers can now place bets from March 17 through April 30
- Horseplayers can now place bets from March 17 through April 30
- Horseplayers can now place bets from March 17 through April 30
- Horseplayers can now place bets from March 17 through April 30
- Horseplayers can now place bets from March 17 through April 30
The hours of operation for the sports books at Horserace Heaven and other OTBs will be adjusted accordingly to take advantage of this new schedule. The changes will be effective March 17, and customers can expect some minor variations in the way they handle bets and odds as the season progresses.
Where Will You Be Able to Place Your Bets?
The legalization of OTB in Maryland will not automatically open the books at every single racetrack. Some tracks, like Belmont Park, will remain closed to wagering. However, the vast majority of OTBs will welcome customers, and all of them will accept online wagers.
As mentioned, some tracks, like Belmont Park, will remain closed to wagering. The reason for this is that the Belmont Stakes is an “all-weather” race, which is run annually regardless of the weather conditions (unlike the Preakness, which is usually run in a dry race).
Horseplayers who live in the Belmont area and want to make wagers in honor of the great American classic may be out of luck. However, those in the rest of the state can rejoice as there is now an opportunity to place wagers on the results of some of the most famous sporting events in North America.
More Evenings To Make Your Social Event
Thanks to the legalization of OTB in Maryland, there will be more evenings for sports fans to congregate and enjoy a game. The release of the new dates for OTB has put a happy face on the otherwise stressful end of the horse racing season for those in the state. With more time to plan, parties will be able to extend into the evenings instead of coming to a close after the last race.
For those in the area, the last day for placing bets at the track will be changed from May 20 to May 21. This will give people in the community more time to make the most of the legalization and plan their social events around the races.
The Possibility Of More Gambling Choices
If you are a fan of gambling, you will no doubt be eager to take advantage of this new season, as there will be more opportunities to place bets. This is especially exciting for those who live in or around Baltimore, as there are a number of casinos and racetracks in the area. There are also a number of online casinos that accept Marylanders.
Since the passage of the Interstate Wire Act in 1957, which made it illegal for bookmakers to accept wagers from out of state, there have only been a handful of occasions when the law has been broken. However, given that bets can now be placed online and out of state, it is possible that more people will attempt to make a wager when the opportunity arises. If you live in or around Baltimore and need help with this, please feel free to contact us. We can help you set up an account with a reputable online casino so that you can place your bets with the click of a button.
What Is The Most Popular Sport?
The legalization of OTB in Maryland has not happened overnight. This week, fans of all ages had to wait until after the last race to place their wagers. Now that the season is officially underway, fans can begin congregating at their local track to place wagers on the results of sporting events. These events include the Triple Crown races, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.
It’s clear that horse racing is still a popular sport in Maryland. According to figures provided by the Maryland Gaming Department, bettors wagered a whopping $1.47 billion during the 2018 racing season. It’s not just about the money; it’s about the passion fans have for their hobby.
The Stakes
With the 2018 horse racing season just around the corner, fans can begin planning their strategy for the upcoming race season. While there are a number of prestigious annual events that determine the champion of the horse racing world, the most important ones are the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. These are the “Triple Crown Races” and will be contested this year by the favorite and the rest of the field.
For years, Churchill Downs and other tracks with closed doors maintained that a horse’s “stake” in any horse race is $2, which means that each participant is guaranteed $2 worth of winnings. The actual stake varies by track and has ranged from as little as $2 to as much as $80. For instance, the Kentucky Derby has a $2 guaranteed prize, while the Preakness has a $5 minimum bet.
The Derby
The Derby is the first and oldest of the three big race events, and it’s held annually at the end of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Churchill Downs website boasts of the “world-famous” Derby, which is held each year in May and attracts thousands of fans. This year’s Derby will be held on May 3.
The track, which originally hosted the derby in its early years, has had an association with horse racing since it opened its doors in 1875. Over the years, this tradition has kept alive and it continues to grow each year. The Derby is also the only “grass” race in the Triple Crown, so it guarantees a place on the “grandstand” section of the card for fans.
The Preakness
The Preakness is the second of the “Triple Crown Races” and is held annually at the end of April at the famous “track of tracks”, aka “The Track”, in Baltimore. The Preakness was originally held at nearby Belmont Park before moving to its current location in 1873. In addition to the Preakness, “The Track” also hosts the “St. Leger”, an annual September horse race that is often considered the “minor” version of the Derby. This year’s Preakness will be held on April 18.
The Baltimore Brew, a local newspaper, puts it best when they say, “For a city that’s mostly known for its baseball, the Preakness is a real test of fandom.” Given its popularity and the fact that it’s a “pinch-me” race that many consider to be the “little brother” of the Derby, it’s clear that the Preakness is a must-see for any sports fan.