Maryland

Maryland Online Gambling & Sportsbooks in 2022

The state of online gambling and online sports betting has become complicated in Maryland – despite legal online sports betting becoming legal in 2021, there have been delays and a lack of priority to push services live.

Estimates suggest online sportsbooks could launch in Maryland in 2023, but there is no guarantee. These delays will also likely impact any possibilities of online casinos launching in the state too, which have yet to be legalized.

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Best New Casinos in Maryland

With just six commercial casinos in the state of Maryland, visiting one to play slot machines, video poker, blackjack, roulette, et cetera is not always practical. Fortunately, players looking for Maryland casinos can turn to Bitcoin & US dollar online casinos to find their favorite games.

These Maryland online gambling sites are from leading providers like Betsoft, Realtime Gaming, Rival Gaming, et cetera. They include online poker sites, Maryland online sports betting, and other forms of online betting.

Because not all online casinos that accept players from Maryland are equal, we’ve come up with our best new casinos in Maryland. Each accepts Bitcoin deposits & withdrawals to/from a Bitcoin wallet. Alternatively, make a US dollar deposit using a credit card (Visa/Mastercard/Discover/Amex).

So whether you top up in BTC or US$, transactions are fast, safe, secure, and you’ll be playing slots & casino games for real money in no time – and even indulging in online sports betting in Maryland.

We understand that safety is important, which is why we provide you with only the best legal online casinos in Maryland. Games are tested and certified for fairness by independent third-party laboratories. Equally important, your sensitive information is kept safe using the latest encryption technology found at most banks.

New players can find a fair welcome bonus package, while regular players can participate in regular promotions, rewards, comp points, VIP programs, and more! That’s what makes these the best Maryland gambling sites around.

We can go on and on, but why not read our in-house review, where you can find out more on MD sports betting, online poker rooms, and sweepstakes casinos, instead?

Best Bonuses in Maryland Casinos

Online casino bonuses can be one of the most important considerations when choosing an online casino that accepts American players. New players may be after a signup bonus, deposit bonus, free spins bonus, or other. It can be tedious to pick through all of the available bonuses to find the best ones.

Fortunately, we have done this for you with our list below, offering players generous amounts of casino bonus money, free spins, and more. Equally important is that we have reviewed the bonus T&Cs and wagering requirements for you. Read through our casino review to find out what we thought.

Maryland Gambling Overview

Maryland counts itself among the friendliest gambling states. Slot machines moved up the Potomac River by riverboat and spread throughout Charles County, Maryland, from 1910-1968, bringing regional prosperity. However, this contrasted with what was happening in other communities seeking to quash it. The prosperity was not meant to last, as Governor Millard Tawes outlawed machines from the state in 1968.

Local government represents much of Maryland’s government, and Maryland sports gambling decisions must be decided by a referendum that allows counties to determine their fate.

Today, fantasy sports, pari-mutuel betting, charity gaming, and a Maryland lottery are all legal. Commercial casinos are permitted in 6 counties. However, the state does not have any casinos or bingo halls run by Tribal Casinos. The State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency oversees lotteries, Maryland casinos, and video lottery terminals (slot machines).

Maryland Lottery

The Maryland Lottery offers several products, including scratch-offs, daily draws, and jackpot games. Maryland players can purchase tickets from over 4,400 authorized retailers, including gas stations, convenience stores, bars, grocery stores, bowling alleys, and restaurants.

Winnings above $5,000 are subject to an 8.95% resident state tax. Maryland can boast of being one of the states to help found the Mega Millions multistate lottery, available throughout most of the United States.

Charitable Gaming

A non-profit organization does not require a Maryland state license. However, the organization may need to have a permit to operate a charity within its county. Qualifying organizations may include civic, bazaar, religious, war veterans, volunteer fire company or bona fide fraternal, civic, charitable corporation, or more.

Charitable organizations are tax-exempt and may offer games such as bingo, raffles, carnivals, or others. The granularity of laws depends on the county.

Pari-Mutuel Betting

Horse racing and retail sports betting has seen declining interest like in other states since the 1970s with the rise of casinos, lotteries, and even racinos in neighboring states, including Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware.

Maryland allows harness and thoroughbred racing. Live, inter-track, and satellite simulcast pari-mutuel betting is permitted as well as online and mobile pari-mutuel betting. Pari-mutuel betting is licensed and regulated by the Maryland Racing Commission. Authorized racetracks offer slots, table games, and video poker.

Fantasy Competition

Maryland explicitly allows fantasy sports betting since 2012 – one of the first states to do so! Daily fantasy sports operators are not required to register or pay a registration fee. However, they are not permitted to use data on amateur/college sporting events.

New players are subject to a deposit limit of $1,000. Players can increase this amount, but they must request to do so every month and demonstrate that they have the financial means.

Land-Based (State) Casinos

Maryland currently has 6 state-owned casinos but no tribal casinos. Here, players can find various slots and table games: blackjack, roulette, baccarat, mini & midi baccarat, sic bo, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, racebook, and more. There are no tribal casinos in Maryland.

Commercial Casinos	Address	Website
MGM National Harbor	101 MGM National Ave, Oxon Hill, MD 20745	mgmnationalharbor.mgmresorts.com
Horseshoe Baltimore Casino	1525 Russell Street Baltimore, MD 21230	caesars.com/horseshoe-baltimore/casino
Live! Casino and Hotel	7002 Arundel Mills Cir, Hanover, MD 21076	maryland.livecasinohotel.com
Ocean Downs	10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD 21811	oceandowns.com
Rocky Gap Casino Resort	16701 Lakeview Rd NE Flintstone MD 21530	rockygapcasino.com
Hollywood Casino	1201 Chesapeake Overlook Pkwy, Perryville, MD 21903	hollywoodcasinoperryville.com

Maryland Casinos Map

 

 

Maryland Gambling History

Maryland was considered one of the states at the forefront of racing. A pari-mutuel horse racing machine was first introduced to the Pimlico Race track in 1873. The Maryland Racing Commission was created in 1920 and responsible for licensing and regulating races.

Maryland citizens approved a constitutional amendment in 1972 to allow a state-run Maryland lottery, which was up and running in January 1973.

Slot machines were legalized in November 2008 after an amendment to the constitution. It authorized the states to issue no more than five Maryland lottery licenses to raise money for education in Baltimore City and four counties: Cecil, Worcester, Anne Arundel, and Allegany.

It also authorized up to 15,000 slot machines at five locations across the state, making it the 38th state to permit casino-style gambling slots. The first casino opened its doors in 2010. Two years later, live table games were also legalized.

In February 2012, Senator Douglas J Peters introduced legislation that would legalize an additional casino in Prince George’s County. Furthermore, several slot machines and table games would be legalized in the other two Maryland casinos.

It failed to pass. Not discouraged, Governor O’Malley managed to pass a bill to expand gambling through the legislature subject to a November 2012 referendum, which was subsequently approved.

Fantasy Sports

Daily fantasy sports was clarified by Maryland in 2012 as a game of skill that exempts it from gambling laws. However, fantasy sports regulations were not introduced until January 2017.

On November 30, 2000, the online Sports Betting Expansion Measure was approved by referendum with 67% support at a general election. A few months later, on March 11, 2021, the Maryland House approved college and professional legal sports betting online at the state’s three 3 professional-team stadiums, horseracing tracks (Pimlico, Laurel Park, and Tomonium state fairgrounds), and 6 casinos. Furthermore, it approved 22 sites where people can place bets in person.

The Bill goes before the Senate and, if it goes through, will take effect on June 1, 2021. Online sports betting giants like DraftKings have already expressed an interest in serving the Maryland market.

Maryland Gambling FAQ

Are fantasy sports contests legal in Maryland?

Yes, fantasy sports contests are legal in Maryland since 2012. However, regulations were not introduced until January 2017.

Is pari-mutuel betting legal in Maryland?

Yes, inter-track, live, and simulcast pari-mutuel betting on horse races is legal in Maryland. Punters from Maryland can also use online or mobile apps to place wagers.

Does Maryland have a state lottery?

Yes, daily draws, scratch-offs, and jackpot games are available in Maryland lottery circles and can be purchased from over 4,400 authorized retailers.

Is sports betting legal in Maryland?

On November 30, 2020, online sports betting was approved by referendum in an election and by the Maryland House. It is awaiting a Senate vote. Should it pass, a Maryland sports betting bill is expected to go enter into effect on June 1, 2021. In Maryland legalized sports betting will offer a significant boost to the state’s common wealth.

Is online gambling legal in Maryland?

No, at the present time, online gambling is not legal in Maryland.

What is the legal gambling age in Maryland?

The legal age in Maryland for most forms of gambling is 18 and over. The exception is casino-style games (including casinos), where the minimum legal gambling age rises to 21 and over.

Conclusion

Although Maryland has not always been the most gambling-friendly state, we have seen a slow move towards more progressive laws. Unfortunately, unlike neighboring Pennsylvania, online gambling has yet to be legalized in Maryland.

We hope that Pennsylvania might influence the direction of Maryland towards regulated interactive gaming over time, allowing Maryland residents to gamble online.

Still, the slow progress has not stopped some Maryland players from playing at offshore online casinos. If you’re willing to take the chance, we can recommend some safe and trustworthy online casinos above.

Furthermore, we suggest you visit our Maryland page periodically for the latest updates to gambling here in The Free State.