Gambling.com Overall Score: 5.7/10 (No. 8 among Maryland sportsbooks)
Our Verdict: Crab Sports punches above its weight with comprehensive betting markets, helpful promotions, and solid odds. Despite some limitations, this is a promising choice for casual Maryland bettors to add to their regimen.
Crab Sports launched on July 14, 2023, in Maryland as an operator designed to provide a local feel to sports wagering. Upon launch, it became the 11th mobile sportsbook in MD.
Its operator gained a license in the Terrapin State thanks to Crab Sports Limited being more than 50% woman-and-minority-owned. Maryland's lawmakers wanted to encourage a more diverse market, so they introduced special provisions for locally or minority-owned operators.
Crab Sports stands out in the Maryland sports betting landscape, focusing on delivering a unique experience tailored to local preferences and partnerships. With its legal status verified by the gaming control commission, Crab Sports ensures a secure and engaging platform for sports enthusiasts to start betting. Its mobile application is available on iOS and the Google Play Store, making it easy for bettors to create an account and dive into the world of sports betting.
Crab Sports distinguishes itself with a local focus on its markets, offering local bettors a rich array of wagering markets, great odds, and unique promotions. Highlights include generous welcome bonuses and bettor-friendly odds, making it a preferred choice for those looking to start betting. With its legal and licensed status in Maryland, Crab Sports ensures a safe and engaging betting experience, complemented by diverse betting options.
While this sportsbook lacks some features, it really leans into its community focus, and the online sportsbook excels at providing Maryland bettors with great odds and promos on local teams. While some features, like live streaming, are missing, Crab Sports offers a unique and smooth betting experience with great benefits for Marylanders.
Grading Criteria | Average Score |
---|---|
Sports & Markets | 9.25/10 |
Promotions | 8.0/10 |
Payments | 3.75/10 |
Customer Support | 2.25/10 |
Reputation & User Feedback | 4.25/10 |
Site UX | 5.75/10 |
Mobile Product | 4.5/10 |
Responsible Gambling | 8.5/10 |
Live Betting Features | 3.5/10 |
Odds Value | 7.0/10 |
Read more about how we review sports betting sites.
Despite its relatively small size, Crab Sports impresses with its selection of sports and global leagues, although niche sports options tend to offer more traditional betting lines.
Markets include access to Same Game Parlays for major sports like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and international leagues, ensuring bettors enjoy comprehensive betting experiences across devices.
One of the best parts of Crab Sports is its variety of enticing sportsbook promos, including NHL parlay insurance, daily same-game parlay bonuses, and other parlay boosts. Its impressive promotions, especially for a smaller operator, demonstrate Crab Sports' commitment to providing a comprehensive and engaging betting experience.
Crab Sports Sportsbook offers a range of payment options, but fewer than other sportsbooks.
The deposit method process time should be instant for all methods, but it depends on the withdrawal method. Bank and wire transfers typically take longer, and bank cards offer a quicker and more secure withdrawal. Crab Sports does not provide the fastest method of payment, e-wallets, which we found disappointing.
If you run into a problem while using the sportsbook, Crab Sports offers two customer support options, with some noticeable absences. You can contact its operator via social media and email only.
No support is available via phone, and live chat is also unsupported. We found this disappointing and would like to see this added in the future.
If you need more information or support guides, the sports betting site offers an extensive FAQ page, which was a plus.
Crab Sports offers a variety of methods to ensure that you're safe while wagering on its desktop client and user-friendly mobile app. Like most sportsbooks, it provides SSL encryption for additional payment security and only accepts safe and secure payment methods.
Online licenses offer 60 opportunities for sportsbooks to operate. As part of this ecosystem, Crab Sports caters to bettors with its diverse betting options, seamless betting experience, and a comprehensive range of sports and markets, under the regulation of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency and the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission.
The mobile application and the desktop version offer similar markets and features, ensuring a consistent betting experience. However, the website might offer a more detailed view of the sportsbook's offerings, potentially providing an advantage for users seeking a more comprehensive overview.
The Crab Sports mobile app offers bettors a convenient platform to engage with various sports and betting markets. Available on iOS and Android, the app mirrors the desktop version, providing a generous welcome bonus and frequent promotions to enhance user experience.
However, the app's design could benefit from aesthetic improvements, though it doesn't hinder the functionality of viewing odds and events.
Every operator in Maryland has to, by law, protect you from problem gambling, so if you feel you're losing control of your gambling, there are plenty of tools to help you keep your wagering fun and safe. Crab Sports is no exception.
Tools include time limits, deposits, losses, and resources from third-party organizations like the National Council on Problem Gambling and the Maryland Gaming Control Commission.
Our experts put every sportsbook, including Crab Sports, through a rigorous 10-step process to ensure they meet our high standards before we make recommendations to our users. Every sportsbook we review has been licensed by the states where it operates.
We sign up, download the mobile app, deposit real money, redeem promos, analyze markets, place bets, test out customer service, and withdraw funds—all so that we can make the most informed recommendations for you, our users.
Here's what they had to say after evaluating all 10 grading criteria for Crab Sports Sportsbook:
As a Maryland-exclusive betting platform, I evaluated what in-state bettors can get here that they may not elsewhere.
I relied on a lot of real user reviews to help inform my takeaways about Crab Sports.
My biggest concern with a local sportsbook will be technical reliability. I gave my honest feedback about the pros and cons of Crab Sports' software and how it affects the bettor's experience.
Crab Sports is only available in Maryland, so to bet on its sportsbook, you have to be within the Old Line State and over 21. If you find yourself within state lines, you don't have to be a resident to sign up and claim the Crab Sports welcome bonus, but you'll need to verify your location before you place your first wager.
Unlike some operators, Crab Sports doesn't offer a retail sportsbook; it is only available via its desktop client, mobile site, and iOS and Android apps.
There are currently no rewards or loyalty programs at Crab Sports.
Crab Sports is a relatively new player in the Maryland betting scene, offering a localized and comprehensive experience.
While it may have limitations, such as availability and live streaming, it stands out with its exclusive focus on Maryland users and diverse betting options. Despite that, there are a few things we would like to see improved, including introducing a VIP program and live streaming.
If you're looking for a sportsbook that prioritizes local engagement, competitive odds, and unique promotions like its welcome offer, Crab Sports is an excellent option to start with.
Yes, Crab Sports Sportsbook is available in Maryland and is licensed to offer sports betting in the state. If you're within state lines and over 21, you can access its desktop client, mobile site, and native apps, and place wagers on major, collegiate, and international sports.
Crab Sports offer Bonus Bets up to $500, based on the value of your first bet. When you make an initial deposit and place a wager, if the wager settles for the loss, you get a bonus credit equal to the value of your wager to use on the sportsbook.
Yes, Crab Sports is safe, and offers a unique and comprehensive betting experience. It is licensed to offer wagering in Maryland and has robust features in place, like SSL encryption and secure payment options, to keep bettors safe.