Maryland Online Casinos and Gambling Sites
Maryland offers several gambling options, ranging from resort casinos to posh retail sportsbooks. You can also enjoy legal online gambling through licensed betting sites.
MD lawmakers have entered into serious discussions about legalizing online gaming, but online casinos remain unregulated today.
Many gambling sites operate in this state, raising the question of their legality.
Below, I’ll cover offshore online casinos and other forms of online and land-based gambling in the Old Line State.
Gambling Highlights
The following table provides a snapshot of what forms of gambling are legal in Maryland. From online casinos to land-based casinos and other forms of gambling such as state lottery.
Is Gambling Legal?
Yes
Legal Gambling Age
18/21
Land-Based Casinos
Yes
Online Casinos
Pending Legislation
Land-Based Sports Betting
Yes
Online Sportsbooks
Yes
Legal State Lottery
Yes
Charitable Gambling
Yes
Table of Contents
Jump to Specific Areas of This Page
Is Online Gambling Legal in Maryland?
Key Takeaways
- Online sports betting is legal in Maryland.
- Sites based offshore are the online casino option for Marylanders.
- The state has legal land-based casinos and more.
- Most gambling is regulated by the state Lottery & Gaming Control Agency.
Maryland has made some online gambling legal. The state is beginning to reap the rewards of online sports betting but has yet to earn a cut from online casinos.
People in Maryland can go to offshore sites for real money online casino play.
Nevertheless, Maryland can easily be considered a gambling state. They have land-based casinos, horse race betting, poker rooms, a lottery, plenty of charitable gaming options, and online sports wagering.
They are all legal, and most are regulated by the state Lottery & Gaming Control Agency.
Allowing online casinos to be set up within the state would be the final step in embracing gambling. Until that happens, online offshore casinos are the best options for Maryland players.
Best Maryland Online Casinos in 2024
Offshore online casinos can be excellent options if you find the right ones. Check out these recommended sites, and I’ll explain why they are the best online casinos for Marylanders.
| RANK | CASINO | BONUS | PAYOUT SPEED | LICENSED | TOTAL GAMES | SLOTS | OUR RATING | CLICK TO PLAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
DuckyLuck Casino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-5 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 699 | SLOTS 600 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 2 |
Super Slots |
BONUS 250% up to $6,000 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-7 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 502 | SLOTS 372 | OUR RATING 3.8 / 5 | Play Now |
| 3 |
Red Dog Casino |
BONUS $8,000 Welcome Bonus | PAYOUT SPEED 1-3 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 1544 | SLOTS 1312 | OUR RATING 4 / 5 | Play Now |
| 4 |
SlotsandCasino |
BONUS 500% up to $7,500 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-2 Days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 691 | SLOTS 594 | OUR RATING 3.9 / 5 | Play Now |
| 5 |
Wild Casino |
BONUS 100% up to $5,000 | PAYOUT SPEED 1-7 days | LICENSED Yes | TOTAL GAMES 1020 | SLOTS 802 | OUR RATING 4.1 / 5 | Play Now |
Top Online Casinos Reviewed – Key Features
The fun and convenience of games help make online casinos a good choice. When you visit a top casino website, you will find various games to suit any taste or playing style.
Here are a couple of casinos that are good examples.
Best Maryland Online Casino for Slots & Other Games
When it comes to the best game selection, DuckyLuck Casino is number one. This site has over 500 titles from leading software developers, including slots, table games, and specialties.
You can find everything from progressive jackpots to unique variations of roulette.
Just scroll, click on the New Games or Top Games categories, or use DuckyLuck’s search tool to find a favorite title.
They also provide top-quality live dealer games from FreshDeck Studios, where you can play blackjack, roulette, and baccarat with betting ranges to suit everyone’s needs.
Top Features
- DuckyLuck Casino has more than 400 slots.
- The games are easy to access and play.
- Top-notch live dealer studios.
Top Maryland Gambling Site for Sports Betting
BetOnline offers casino and live dealer games, but it’s really known for sports betting.
This site’s sportsbook has been in operation for over ten years and has earned a solid reputation for its intuitive user interface, quick payouts, and wide range of sports markets.
They offer odds on most US sports and dozens of worldwide leagues like European soccer, cricket, martial arts, rugby, horse racing, and cycling.
Top Features
- Well-known sportsbook with a good reputation
- Quick payouts and responsive customer support
- Extensive sports betting options
How to Choose the Best Online Casinos
The selection process I follow to find the top casinos is thorough and focuses on what players enjoy. Here are some factors I consider:
Reputation
I look for sites that are popular and well-respected in the online casino industry.Fast & Reliable Payments
I ensure players can easily deposit and withdraw money by checking the casinos’ payment methods.Security & Safety
I only recommend online casinos that protect your money and information with modern security protocols.Games Variety
I ensure a good variety of slots, table games, video poker, and more, so there is something for every player.Quality Bonuses
I seek out lucrative casino bonuses with fair rollover requirements to ensure they are worth the money.
Top Online Casino Games in Maryland
I love casino games, especially ones that are the most entertaining and fair. Take a look at the variety you can find at top online casinos.
Online Slots
Online casinos let you click through various real money slots. Themes include adventure, wildlife, history, mythology, and more.
Play the most simple 3-reel, single payline classic or the more challenging 5-reel games with multiple paylines and loads of bonus features.
Online Poker
Hone your game at online poker, where the stakes are lower and the tables just as varied as land-based casinos.
Sit in on Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, stud, and hi-lo games for as little as penny ante. Then, move up the ladder to higher stakes and tournament play, including freeroll tourneys.
Online Blackjack
Traditionally, real money blackjack is everyone’s favorite table game because it is easy to play, and the returns are about the best in the house.
Most gambling sites have multiple variations, such as Pontoon 21, Single-Deck Blackjack, and Perfect Pairs.
Live Dealer Games
Live sections have become more popular at online casinos. That’s because players can taste an authentic casino atmosphere without leaving home.
Click on a live dealer casino, and you’ll be greeted by a professional dealer and other players, all in a real casino setting.
Other Online Casino Games
Top gambling sites offer more than just the popular games found at traditional casinos. Check out these examples.
Maryland Online Casino Bonuses
The best internet casinos employ bonuses to attract and keep players. Below are a couple of examples of the types of offers you’ll find.
Welcome Bonuses
Large introductory offers that nearly every online gambling site provides to new players.
Free Spin Offers
Promotional deals that give you a set number of free rounds on specific games.
Reload Deals
Get additional bonus cash when you deposit additional funds or top off your account.
Our Favorite Bonuses
Because the industry is so competitive, you can find real deals to boost your bankroll. Let’s look at a couple of the best online casino bonuses you’ll run into.
Up to $8,000 Welcome Bonus
You can fetch as much as $8,000 in extra money by taking advantage of Red Dog Casino’s welcome bonus.
You don’t have to go through many hoops to get your reward. Just sign up and enter the bonus code PATIO when you deposit.
RedDog matches your first three deposits and requires you to wager 40 times your deposit and bonus to cash out on your winnings.
500% up to $7,500 + 150 free spins
When you join the flock, DuckyLuck Casino offers a nice nest egg worth up to $7,500.
The offer matches each of your first three deposits of up to $2,500 by 500%. DuckyLuck also tosses in 50 free spins at featured slots on each of your first three days of play.
The bonus comes with a 30X playthrough requirement on the deposit, bonus, and winnings from the free spins.
Casino Apps
Most offshore casinos don’t offer apps to download. But the best casino sites these days are accessible through the browser of your iPhone, Android smartphone, or any iPad or e-tablet.
You simply navigate to the site and tap on your favorite game. These mobile casinos adjust to your screen and play with ease.
But devices and connections vary, so we encourage players to update their device’s software and try a few casino games for themselves.
Legal Gambling Facts for MD Players
- Maryland online casino gamblers can access offshore casino sites.
- Top online casinos offer a variety of games you generally do not find at land-based casinos, including scratch cards and other specialty games.
- You should research an internet casino as you would any other online business.
- Make sure an online casino can accommodate your payment method for withdrawals and deposits.
Maryland Gambling Laws Summary
Maryland has become a gambling-friendly state with the legalization of most land-based wagering and laws beginning to tackle the internet space.
The state has most recently made in-person and online sports betting legal, along with daily fantasy sports.
Before that, casinos were allowed to set up in the state, and poker rooms were part of that scene. Horse racing wagering is a Maryland tradition.
Meanwhile, The Old Line State sponsors a lottery, and local communities set up individual laws on many types of charitable gaming popular throughout the state.
Maryland authorities have not yet allowed online casino operations to be set up within its borders. But MD residents can find top online casinos based offshore for plenty of convenient action.
Take a look at the summary of Maryland gambling laws below.
| Maryland Gambling | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Land-Based Casinos in Maryland | The state has had some form of legal casino gambling since 2008 and now hosts six casinos with slots and table games. You must be 21 to play in a casino. |
| Online Gambling | As of 2024, online casinos have not been legalized inside Maryland. People in the state play internet casino games at top casino sites based offshore. You must be 21 to play. |
| Sports Betting | Both online and land-based sportsbooks have been up and running in Maryland since they were made legal through voter approval in 2020. Typical sports bets are available at five casinos and many websites. The wagering age is 21. |
| State Lottery | The state has sponsored a lottery since the law passed in 1972. The Maryland Lottery offers various numbers of draws, including nationwide jackpot chances. You must be at least 18 to play. |
| Charitable Gambling | Charitable bingo, raffles, and other games are regulated by individual counties with some state law provisions. Games with various prizes are played throughout the state, and the usual legal age is 18. |
| Poker | Poker rooms come under provisions of the state casino law, and they host the most popular variations of the game as well as tournaments. There are four poker rooms in the state, all requiring players to be at least age 21. |
| Horse & Dog Racing | Horse racing is well-established in Maryland, featuring the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. There are three other thoroughbred and harness racing tracks regulated by the State Racing Commission. Mobile horse betting and simulcast betting are legal. You must be 18 to place a bet. |
| Fantasy Sports | Fantasy sports are included in state sports betting law, and several sites legally run inside the state. You can play at age 18. |
| Social Gambling | There are legal provisions for private games in Maryland as long as no host or organizer profits. |
| Taxes on Gambling Winnings | Gambling winnings are considered income in Maryland, and you must repay taxes of more than $500. You are subject to federal taxes, too. |
Disclaimer: The information on this page does not, nor does it intend to, constitute legal advice. This page is for learning purposes and may not have the most up-to-date information year-round. Readers should contact their attorney and/or accountant for advice concerning any particular legal matter. Do not take any action without first contacting a lawyer in your state.
Gambling Laws: A Deep Dive
As mentioned above, Maryland has legalized various forms of gambling according to cultural acceptance and competition from nearby states.
So, the state now has legal casinos, poker rooms, online and in-person sports betting, pari-mutuel race betting, and a lottery.
However, it has managed to consolidate the regulation of most gambling under the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
That authority oversees land-based casinos and sports betting, while the Maryland Racing Commission manages horse race betting and other horse racing rules.
Maryland does not allow online casinos to operate within the state. Still, in 2023, a bill was in place to provide for casino sites.
Here’s a deep dive into Maryland’s laws for each type of gambling so you can play with confidence.
Land-Based Casinos
Land-based casino legalization came to Maryland piecemeal, first with voter approval in 2008 of a constitutional amendment allowing slot machines.
Four years later, the state expanded casino gambling to allow table games such as blackjack and roulette.
Gambling and resort operators have since built casinos in various settings, including seaside, parkland, and one metro facility in Baltimore.
The state’s six casinos vary in their game offering, though all have slots and table games operating under provisions of the law on lottery terminals.
The Lottery and Gaming Control Agency regulates casinos.
Horse & Dog Tracks
Maryland’s horse racing history dates back to the 18th century. The Maryland Racing Commission was established in 1920, marking the start of legal race betting.
The state now has four tracks offering live pari-mutuel and off-track betting. Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, home to the Preakness Stakes, is the most notable thoroughbred track.
Other tracks in the state host both thoroughbred and harness racing, and the Maryland State Fair hosts seven days of races for wagering. Mobile horse betting and simulcast betting are legal.
The Commission governs racing under state horse racing law.
Bingo, Lottery
and Charitable Gambling
Maryland law governs some charitable gambling rules, but each county licenses and regulates operations.
State law has stipulations for each county. The regulations allow for bingo in most places, and bingo halls are throughout the state.
The prize limits vary, but most halls have cash prizes of up to $1,000 per game.
The state also has electronic instant bingo and slot-like machines that can offer progressive jackpots.
Charities also conduct legal raffles in some counties with prizes worth up to $100,000.
The law provides for other types of charitable games in some counties. These games allow players to buy fake money, tokens, or chips to play and exchange winnings for merchandise of limited value.
Maryland has sponsored a lottery since 1972, governed by the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
The Lottery offers a variety of numbers games, including the nationwide jackpot draws. The Maryland Lottery also offers scratch-offs, keno, and other types of games.
Social Gaming at Home
Maryland law provides for various private games in homes and some common areas with the stipulation that no game host or organizer profits from the games.
There is a limit of $1,000 for the total winnings in a session.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
The Old Line State has four legal poker rooms, all located in casinos and regulated by the Lottery & Gaming Control Agency.
Live Casino & Hotel has the largest poker room in the state, with more than 50 tables. The rooms host various games, including Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, stud, and some hi-lo variations.
Cash games start with $1/$3 blinds and buy-ins for $100. They host limit, no-limit, and pot-limit tables.
Maryland poker rooms also host tournaments regularly, with a major event usually every month.
Sports
Betting
Maryland voters in 2020 approved a measure to allow online and land-based sports and betting in the state.
Marylanders can now go to websites and wager moneylines, point spreads, totals, and futures on most sports events and competitors.
Online sites also offer features such as live or in-game betting.
All legal sports betting activity and fantasy competition come under the state’s sports betting law and are regulated by the State Lottery & Gaming Control Agency.
Casinos in Maryland
The state has six casinos in various settings and with multiple offerings. Some are in resorts, Rocky Gap is in a state park, and Ocean Downs is at a harness racing track.
They all have slots and table games, while some host sportsbooks and poker rooms.
Top Maryland Casinos
- Horseshoe Casino – Baltimore
- Live! Casino & Hotel – Hanover
- MGM National Harbor – Oxon Hill
Gambling Summary
- Total Casinos: 6
- Poker Rooms: 4
Maryland Gambling vs. Neighboring States
Here is how Maryland looks on the gambling map compared to its neighbors on the borders.
| State | Is some form of Gambling Legal? | Legal Gambling Age | Legal Land-Based Casinos | Playing at Online Casinos | Legal Sports Betting | Legal State Lottery | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | Yes | 18/21 | Yes | Offshore Only | Yes | Yes | Legal |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | 18/21 | Yes | Legal | Yes | Yes | Legal |
| Delaware | Yes | 18/21 | Yes | Legal | Yes | Yes | Legal |
| Virginia | Yes | 18/21 | Yes | Offshore Only | Yes | Yes | Legal |
| West Virginia | Yes | 18/21 | Yes | Legal | Yes | Yes | Legal |
| Washington, D.C. | Yes | 18 | No | Offshore Only | Yes | Yes | Legal |
Maryland gambling is up to par with bordering states, although online casinos have not been allowed as they have been in three of their neighboring states.
Maryland casinos, especially the MGM National Harbor, attract a lot of business from DC.
A Brief History of Maryland Gambling
Gambling has always been a popular pastime in Maryland, though legalization has had its bumps in the road.
Lotteries were a good way to raise public money in the 18th Century, and horse racing got a leg up with the formation of the Maryland Jockey Club in 1743.
While plenty of horses ran for prizes through the decades, it wasn’t until a law in 1920 led to the formation of the Maryland Racing Commission that legal horse race betting was allowed.
In the 1940s, slot machines became a craze in the state, but the legislature ended that after a 20-year run.
Thereafter, in the 1970s, Maryland became one of many states to launch a legal lottery.
Voters brought slots back in 2008, and the law allowing table games four years later made Maryland an actual casino state.
It became an online gambling state in 2020 when voters approved a measure that included the Internet to wager sports.
Responsible Gambling Initiatives
The Maryland Lottery has a Play Responsibly web page with tips on the best way to play and links to several responsible gaming resources.
One of the resources is the Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling, which partners with state agencies and casinos to encourage good gambling practices.
The Lottery also operates a voluntary exclusion program that allows problem gamblers to ban themselves from games.
Summary: Maryland’s Gambling Journey
Gambling has become a viable entertainment option for residents and visitors in Maryland.
The land-based casinos are spread out in various attractive settings, sports bettors play in a region loaded with pro and college teams, and the Preakness Stakes is the state’s biggest party.
There is the notion that the gambling market in the state is becoming saturated. But lawmakers are still moving forward with efforts to allow online casinos to launch within its borders.
I expect that will happen and will be the final step in Maryland’s official approval of all gambling. Meanwhile, top offshore casino websites are solid options for the state’s online casino players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to typical questions players ask about gambling in Maryland.
How do tribal casinos differ from commercial casinos in Maryland?
Maryland has no tribal casinos, which are regulated federally. The State Lottery & Gaming Control Agency regulates commercial casinos in Maryland.
Are there real money online casinos in Maryland with no deposit bonuses?
The majority of online casino bonuses require a deposit that the casino matches. However, some casinos have special promotions offering free spins, chips, or cash to attract new members.
Is there any risk of playing at online casinos regulated outside of Maryland?
If you thoroughly check out a casino’s reputation, it is safe to play at online casinos regulated outside of Maryland.
Who regulates online casinos in Maryland?
Foreign jurisdictions regulate online casinos available to players in Maryland.
