Maryland has a positive stance on gambling, with the state having a rich history in horse racing that dates back to 1743.
Slot machines were legalized in 2008, allowing legal land-based casinos to open statewide. Sports betting at physical venues became legal in 2020, and online sports betting became legal one year later.
While casino gaming is legal at brick-and-mortar locations in Maryland, state-regulated online casinos are not. Gambling sites operating outside Maryland are currently the only option for MD residents interested in playing online.
This page will cover the legality of all the most popular types of gambling in the Old Line State.
Summary of Maryland Gambling Laws
There are many different types of legalized gambling in Maryland. Residents and visitors can legally wager on sports online and place bets at retail locations, including casinos and horse racing tracks.
Players interested in online casino games can use offshore sites. Here’s a quick breakdown of what forms of gambling are legal according to the state’s laws.
| Gambling | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Is Online Gambling Legal? | Yes |
| Playing at Online Casinos | Gray Area (offshore sites only) |
| Legal Age Online | 18+ |
| Land-Based Casinos | Yes |
| Legal Age Land-Based | 21+ |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes |
| Charitable Gambling | Yes |
| State Lottery | Yes |
| Social Gaming | Yes |
Is Gambling Legal in MD?
Most forms of gambling are legal in Maryland. Land-based options include casino gaming, sports betting, poker, horse racing, charitable bingo, and lottery.
Online sports betting is available at state-regulated online sportsbooks, while online casino play is only offered to MD residents by sites operating outside of state borders.
| Gambling | Maryland Legal Status |
|---|---|
| Casino Gambling | Casino gambling is legal in Maryland. All of the state’s casinos are regulated by the state, as there are no tribal casinos within state lines. |
| Poker | Poker is legal in casino poker rooms and social settings in Maryland. Online poker is not legal in the state, so digital poker rooms outside of Maryland are the only option for players looking to play online. |
| Horse Racing Betting | Betting on horse racing is legal in MD at the state’s active horse tracks and off-track betting locations. |
| Dog Racing Betting | No dog racing tracks are active in Maryland, but betting on simulcast dog racing is legal at off-track betting locations. |
| Lottery | The Maryland Lottery has been active since 1973 and is available for players 18+. |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Daily Fantasy Sports became legal in MD in 2021. |
| Sports Betting | Betting on sports is legal in Maryland. Bettors can place wagers at sportsbooks in some of the state’s casinos or anywhere within state borders using state-regulated online sportsbooks. |
| Charitable Gaming | Charitable gaming in the form of bingo and raffles is legal in Maryland. Individual counties regulate licenses and enforcement. |
| Social Gambling | Gambling in social settings is legal as long as less than $1,000 is in play and all participants are at least 21 years old. Online social sweepstakes casinos are also permitted in Maryland and nationwide. |
| Online Gambling | Online sports betting is the only form of state-regulated online gambling. Players who want to play real money casino games online must use offshore sites. |
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Where to Gamble in MD
There are plenty of legal options for legal in-person betting in the state. Casinos and off-track betting locations provide visitors and residents with access to most of their favorite games.
Online gambling is available in the form of state-regulated online sportsbooks and offshore online casinos. Learn more about where to gamble in Maryland below.
Land-Based Casinos in Maryland
There are currently six active land-based casinos in Maryland:
Popular slot machines, table games, live poker, and sports betting are available at retail locations.
Slot machines became legal in Maryland in 2008, and Hollywood Casino Perryville became the first casino to launch in the state on September 17, 2010.
Horse & Dog Tracks
Maryland has two active major horse racing tracks that hold live racing events:
Every year, Pimlico hosts the third jewel of horse racing’s triple crown, the Belmont Stakes. Betting on horse racing is also legal at a handful of off-track betting locations and casino sportsbooks around the state.
Dog racing is not active in Maryland, but pari-mutuel wagers on dog races are legal at off-track betting sites.
Online Sports Betting
The sports betting measure called Maryland Question 2, aiming to authorize sports betting at retail locations, passed with over 67% of the vote in 2020.
In-person sports betting launched in 2021, and that same year, Governor Larry Hogan signed House Bill 940 to legalize online sports betting as well.
Online sports betting successfully launched in Maryland on November 23, 2022.
Bingo Halls and Charitable Gambling
Non-profit organizations can run charitable bingo games in Maryland if they obtain a license first.
Each county in Maryland is responsible for issuing permits and enforcing these rules per section 13-606 of the Maryland Criminal Law Code.
Social Gaming at Home
Social gaming at home among friends is legal for card games as long as $1,000 or less is in play.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
Every casino in Maryland besides Rocky Gap Casino and Ocean Downs has a legal live poker room.
The poker rooms at Maryland Live! Casino and MGM National Harbor each have over 40 tables, year-round tournaments, and daily cash games.
There are no state-regulated online poker rooms in MD. Online poker sites operating offshore outside of Maryland are the best option for poker players looking for a game online.
Eight-Liners
When Maryland legalized slot machines for use by licensed organizations in 2008, it also officially outlawed all other electronic gaming devices besides video lottery terminals, including eight-liners.
Casino Cruises
Casino cruises do not operate in Maryland. There is a dock in Baltimore that cruise ships regularly depart from, but not with the sole intention of providing gambling services.
Maryland Real Money Online Casino Games
The excitement and thrill of casino games aren’t only available at Maryland’s brick-and-mortar casinos. You can also play online real money casino games from your computer or mobile device.
Online Slots
Slots are popular among casino players due to the potential for a big win, bonus, or jackpot on every spin.
Online slots are available at safe and reputable offshore sites. These slots have many of the same features and jackpot potential as their land-based counterparts while offering, on average, a better RTP.
All six of Maryland’s land-based casinos have slot machines on their casino floors.
Online Poker
Online poker rooms tap into a player pool that includes state residents and players from around the world.
Players can play popular games like Texas Hold ’em around the clock with cash games and tournaments available in a wide range of stakes.
Four active poker rooms operate inside Maryland’s casinos, and social poker games among friends are also legal.
Blackjack
Online blackjack is only available in MD through offshore sites.
Standard blackjack is one of many types available online. Other variants include multi-hand play and unique bonus bets based on the cards you and the dealer receive.
Live Dealer Games
One of the main perks of playing at land-based casinos is enjoying the ambiance and human interaction.
With live dealer games, players can place their bets through a digital interface while having a human dealer on stream to interact with via chat. All from the comfort of home.
Popular live dealer games include blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and Super 6.
Other Games Available at MD Online Casinos
Top online casinos have several other games besides those mentioned above. The table below details other popular casino games you can play online.
Maryland Gambling Sites Top Bonuses
Signing up for an online casino will make you eligible for a generous welcome offer. Here are two top bonuses that MD players can collect.
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Remember, only sportsbook bets contribute towards clearing your bonus.
No-deposit bonuses are popular among players but very hard to come by nowadays. A few sites here and there might still award free $10 or $15 chips, but these generally come with large wagering requirements that turn them into a free casino tour more than anything.
MD Online Gambling Laws
The state’s gambling laws are generally player-friendly. Regulated options are available for many land-based forms of gambling, including casinos, poker, off-track betting on horse racing, and sports betting.
State legislation is less accommodating to online gambling, as only sports betting is officially legal in Maryland. Players interested in online slots, table games, or poker must look for offshore sites.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Maryland?
Online sports betting and daily fantasy sports are legal. No laws in Maryland expressly prohibit residents from playing at online casinos operating outside of the state, so offshore online casinos have offered a safe and secure option to MD players in this legal gray area for years.
Bookkeeping or Running a Gambling Operation is Illegal in Maryland
Booking bets on the result of a race, contest, or contingency in Maryland is illegal. Keeping or renting an establishment that offers gambling services is also against the law. Anyone who violates Maryland Criminal Law Section 12-102 is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Social Gambling on Card Games is Legal in MD
Betting, wagering, and gambling outside licensed locations such as casinos or off-track betting locations is generally not permitted. The exception is social gambling on card games or mah jong.
These games are legal as long as the game is among friends, no one stands to profit anything besides their bets, and the total prize pool is $1,000 or less.
Maryland Has Legal Online Sports Betting
Online sports betting and online daily fantasy sports are legal for sites that have successfully registered with the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.
Maryland Gambling Winnings Tax
Gambling winnings count as income and thus are held to an 8.75% tax rate by the Maryland government if they’re over $500.
The federal government also taxes winnings with a 24% fixed rate.
*Please be advised that the information provided on this page does not constitute legal advice. Our team strongly recommends you seek professional counsel from a qualified attorney regarding your specific questions or concerns on the topic.
Maryland Online Gambling vs. Neighboring States
The state has progressive gambling laws compared to the United States overall. Yet, compared to some of its neighboring states in the Northeastern region, Maryland’s online gambling laws are somewhat restrictive.
Here’s a look at how MD online gambling stacks up against other states in the area.
| US State | Playing at Online Casinos | State Regulated Online Casinos | Social Casinos | Online Sports Betting | Lottery | Fantasy Sports | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | Legal | No Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Pennsylvania | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Virginia | Legal | No Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Gray Area | Legal |
| West Virginia | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Delaware | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Delaware is the only state on this list whose casinos are all non-tribal. Meanwhile, Maryland and all four of its neighboring states have legalized online sports betting in recent years.
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware took things further with their online gambling laws by including online casinos in their legislation.
Those three states have also legalized online poker. Maryland and Virginia, on the other hand, opted only to legalize online sports betting and not online casinos or poker.
Tips For Playing Safely at Maryland Online Casinos
Since Maryland does not offer state-regulated online casinos, players must be diligent about online casino safety. Choose one of the top online casinos featured on this page and follow the tips below.
Consider Reputation
Opt for sites with positive reviews. Look for opinions from fellow Maryland residents and US players to understand what to expect from a casino you are considering.
Validate SSL Encryption
Prioritize security by confirming that the online casino employs Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption or equivalent technologies, ensuring the protection of your personal and payment data.
Ensure Game Transparency
The best online casinos offer transparency by providing comprehensive game details, including expected returns, game rules, and information about software developers. Visit the information pages of various casino games to ensure transparency.
Practice Responsible Gambling
Ensure your well-being by choosing casinos that promote responsible gambling practices. Search for resources such as self-imposed limit options and help websites that will help guarantee a safe and enjoyable time gambling.
Explore Banking Options
Evaluate online casinos’ deposit and withdrawal methods. Make sure your casino of interest supports your preferred banking options before deciding.
Look Into Licensing
Check for the casino’s licensing status in the country of operation. Contact customer service for detailed regulatory insights if you have trouble finding this information.
Pros & Cons of Gambling in Maryland
The wide range of legal gambling options available in the state provides a long list of pros. Nonetheless, limited online casino options do create some cons.Â
Pros
- Land-based casinos offer the total casino experience with slot machines, table games, and poker.
- Two major horse racing tracks are still operational with live racing, and horse racing betting is also available at off-track locations.
- Online offshore casinos deliver safe casino gaming and online poker to state locals.
- Sports betting is legal at retail locations and online.
- Social gambling on poker and other card games is legal.
Cons
- There are no state-regulated online casino sites or poker rooms available.
- Only four in-person poker rooms are available statewide.
The Future of Online Gambling in MD: Our Prediction
Maryland has always had a positive stance on pari-mutuel betting thanks to its long history in horse racing.
Gambling laws have been trending in the right direction overall in Maryland over the last two decades. The legalization of slot machines in 2008 paved the way for six casinos to open across the state. Legalization has expanded since sports betting became legal in 2020, while online sports did the same in 2021.
The fact that the push to legalize sports betting didn’t include online casinos and poker was disappointing. There is some room for long-term optimism, though. Only seven states have legalized online casino play through the beginning of 2023, and three of those states (Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia) share borders with Maryland.
If online sports betting performs well and Maryland’s neighboring states succeed with online casinos, Maryland could eventually follow in their footsteps.
In the meantime, casino players in the Old Line State must use online casinos to play their favorite table games and slots.
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Disclaimer
As part of our commitment to transparency, it’s important to disclose that this website engages in affiliate marketing. This means that when you click on our links to online casinos and make a purchase or sign up, we may earn a commission.
These commissions contribute to the upkeep of our platform and the creation of valuable content. While we aim to provide accurate and unbiased information, it’s crucial to note that our reviews are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Additionally, we advocate for responsible gambling practices and encourage users to gamble responsibly. If you believe you may have a gambling problem, please seek assistance from relevant support services.