Maryland Online Casinos
Gambling is expanding in Maryland. State lawmakers approved online and retail sports betting in May 2021, and online casino gambling may not be far behind. In the meantime, players can enjoy all their favorite casino games online at social and sweepstakes sites.
Best Maryland Online Casinos Sites
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Online Gambling Laws in Maryland
Maryland gambling law allows for online wagering on a range of sporting events and daily fantasy sports. The gambling legislation was signed into law in May 2021, with retail operations opening first during the fall of 2021 and betting apps launching in November 2022. Including big names such as DraftKings Maryland likely to go online once the online betting market regulates in the state.
The state also offers a Maryland Lottery App, which allows players to purchase and renew electronic subscriptions, scan tickets and set jackpot alerts.
Maryland Online Casino Laws
Online casino gambling is not legal in Maryland, which applies to slots, table games and poker sites. At the moment, there is no immediate timetable to move forward with online casino legislation, as state lawmakers are focusing instead on implementing online and retail sports betting.
At some point, Maryland lawmakers may consider adding online casinos to the state’s growing mix of gambling options. Neighboring New Jersey generates more revenue from online casino gambling than any state in the U.S., and Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia also offer legal online casinos. After MD retail and online betting for sporting events settles in, casinos could be the next form of online gambling. It might expect high revenue, especially if brands offer similar promotions to NJ online casino bonuses.
For now, Maryland online casino players can play slots, table games and poker for free at a variety of sweepstakes casinos.
Timeline of Gambling Legislation in Maryland
House Bill 940 is approved by the Maryland Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Larry Hogan. The bill allows for online and retail sports betting at the state’s six casinos, pro sports stadiums, horse racing tracks and other locations.
Lawmakers pass bill providing for statewide voter referendum for online and retail sports betting. Voters subsequently approve the referendum by a more than 2-to-1 margin.
The U.S. Supreme Court overturns the Professional Sports and Amateur Protection Act, allowing all states the option to legalize single-game sports wagering.
MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill is the sixth and most recent Maryland casino to open.
Maryland becomes one of the first states in the U.S. to legalize paid-entry daily fantasy sports betting.
State voters approve Las Vegas-style casino games in a constitutional referendum. Hollywood Casino Perryville is the first casino to open in 2010.
Maryland Lottery begins operations, one year after voters approve a statewide constitutional amendment.
Maryland lawmakers pass legislation phasing out slot machines, which were legalized 20 years earlier in Anne Arundel County and later in the decade by four other counties.
Pimlico Race Course opens, the second-oldest horse track in the nation. Three years later, the Baltimore track begins hosting the Preakness, the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
Who Regulates Gambling in Maryland?
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission oversees and regulates casino gambling in the state. The commission has seven members, each appointed by the governor and approved by the State Senate.
The state agency is responsible for licensing and ensuring that all Maryland online casino sites and bookmakers adhere to state gambling laws and regulations. It also provides monthly revenue reports and oversees a division dedicated to responsible online gambling in Maryland.
Sweepstakes Casinos in Maryland
Sweepstakes or social casinos such as Chumba Casinos and Luckyland Slots are legal, popular and available. Sweepstakes casinos offer many of the slots and table games you would find at retail or online casinos, but with no real money changing hands. Instead, players use virtual currencies to win contests and prizes. The games are available on Sweepstakes casino websites, Facebook and other apps. Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland offers its own social casino. Gambling.com provides ratings and recommendations for the top sweepstakes casinos.
What Online Casinos in Maryland Are Likely?
At least four gambling companies that already have a presence in Maryland would be expected to move forward with online casinos if and when online casino gambling is legalized in the state.
Penn National Gaming: The parent company of Penn Interactive operates online casino operations in several states and is purchasing Hollywood Casino Perryville. Penn National Gaming also has a significant equity stake and partnership with Barstool, which offers an online casino app.
BetMGM: The online gambling arm of MGM Resorts International is expanding aggressively across the U.S. with sites in nearly a dozen markets. BetMGM Casino already has a significant presence in Maryland with MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, near Washington D.C.
Caesars: Iconic gambling name is the owner of Horseshoe Casino Baltimore. Caesars Online Casino is available in nearby New Jersey and Pennsylvania and offers some form of mobile betting in at least 13 states after the recent purchase of global gambling operator William Hill.
Would Promo Codes Be Available at Online Casinos in MD?
Promo codes provide a way for online casinos to allow players to receive bonus offers. These bonuses come in a variety of forms, such as a sign-up welcome bonus, a deposit match or a specific number of free slot spins.
If Maryland online casinos are legalized, promo codes to claim bonus offers are likely to be widely available. Some online casinos will provide you with the code to type in and claim your bonus. Others may fill in the code automatically, while others may not even require a code to claim your bonus.
Online casinos use bonus offers as a way to incentivize new account holders. Some of the casino bonuses are small, others can be quite lucrative. Most include some form of wagering requirement that must be met before the bonus money can be redeemed in full.
Can I Visit Offshore Online Casinos?
Gambling.com only recommends Maryland online gambling sites that are legal and regulated. For Maryland casinos, that means venues that are licensed and under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.
Among the reasons offshore-based online casinos should be avoided:
- Betting with an offshore online casino site violates federal and state laws. Though prosecution is rare, the punishments can be stiff and not worth the risks.
- Offshore sites operate with little to no regulation and may abruptly shut down at any time, causing account holders to lose access to some or all of their funds with no legal recourse. Even withdrawals can be risky because U.S. financial institutions cannot knowingly engage with any entity participating in unlawful online gambling.
- Maryland casinos provide significant tax revenue and jobs for the state. Offshore online casino sites provide neither of those. We cannot emphasize the importance of playing at a legal, online casinos.
Responsible Gambling
The Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling was formed in 2010 to provide resources and support for Maryland residents who may have a gambling program. The Alliance consists of several separate groups, including the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency and at least one member representing the state’s casinos.
The state operates a voluntary exclusion program in which Maryland players can choose to ban themselves from the state's casinos or the Maryland lottery for a period of two years or longer.
The state’s approved gambling assistance message must be displayed at each customer entrance to the gaming floor of all Maryland casinos. By statute, gaming license revenue must help defray operational costs for the state’s problem gambling hotline. An annual fee for each video lottery terminal and every table game operated by the state’s casinos is required to be allocated to aid problem gambling in the state.
The Future Looks Bright for Maryland Online Casinos
While not yet legal, it seems likely that online casino gambling will eventually become Maryland law. The state allows several other forms of online gambling, including betting on sporting events, which was approved by voters and subsequently signed into law in 2021. While online betting is clearly more mainstream, online casino gambling continues to gain acceptance from both voters and state lawmakers, especially in the Mid-Atlantic region.
It may be just a matter of time before Maryland joins its neighbors. But meanwhile, here's where online casino gambling is available:
Online Casinos Maryland FAQ
Can you gamble online in Maryland?
Yes. Several forms of online gambling — including online sports betting, horse racing wagering and daily fantasy sports — are all legal in the state. Betting apps have gone live in November 2022. Maryland online casinos, however, are still not legal. You are able to visit retail casinos and bet in person at a number of Maryland locations.
What types of gambling in Maryland are legal?
The following types of gambling are legal in Maryland: In-person casino gambling and poker, online and retail sports betting, online and retail pari-mutuel wagering, daily fantasy sports contests and lottery. Charitable gambling (bingo, raffles, etc.) is legal in most Maryland counties.
What is the legal gambling age in MD?
The minimum legal gambling age in Maryland is 21 and over for online casino gambling and online sports betting; then it is 18 years and over for lottery and online lotto games, pari-mutuel wagering and charitable gaming.
Why am I getting offers to play at a Maryland online casino?
Online casino gambling is not legal in Maryland. You may receive offers from sweepstakes or social casinos, like Hard Rock Social Casino, which are legal and safe, with games played for free, for entertainment purposes, not real money. Any solicitation from an offshore-based online casino has operations violating state and federal laws - it's not recommended nor safe.
Does Maryland offer any interstate online gambling?
No. The Interstate Wire Act of 1961 prohibits certain types of wagering from other states. Through the years, there have been various interpretations and rulings of the Wire Act and whether it applies to all online gambling forms. You may find this available for online poker in other states. Currently no such allowances are made for online gambling in Maryland.
