Best MD Online Casinos 2024

Best Casinos in Maryland

Maryland is home to six rather spectacular retail casinos. And with speculation growing stronger that real money online casinos in Maryland are on the horizon, now is the perfect time to explore the top casinos in the Old Line State.

For now, you can safely play in MD on sweepstakes andsocial casino sites. As these sites use coins and not real money, they aren’t prohibited by Maryland gambling laws.

In this guide, our casino experts have tested and listed thetop online casinos in Maryland, all of which fall under the ‘sweepstakes casinos’ category. Such platforms supply all of the thrills and spills of casino gambling, only without the use of real cash.

Check our list to start exploring the best MD casinos right away!

Is Online Gambling Legal in Maryland?

Maryland allows plenty of gambling verticals, but real-money online casinos are currently unavailable. In the meantime, there are still plenty of opportunities for Maryland players to enjoy gambling from the comfort of their own homes. Online sports betting is legal and launched, as Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) are also supported. You can also place pari-mutuel bets on horse racing online.

As mentioned, you can play casino games from top software providers at social and sweepstakes casinos. However, these sites do not offer real-money gambling. If you want to enjoy the thrill of real money casino games, you can visit one of six land-based casinos.

To learn more about online casino gambling, read our complete guide below. We’ll cover what types of gambling are legal, when you can expect online casinos to launch, and what games will be available.

Legislation Timeline

Gambling in Maryland dates back to the 1700s when charitable lotteries first became popular. There have been several noteworthy moments in the state’s gambling history, including in the 1940s when slots became immensely popular. Quite incredibly, the revenue generated from slot gaming in Maryland at that point even surpassed that of Las Vegas.

However, several influential groups opposed gambling on slots, and in 1968, Maryland essentially put a blanket ban on casino gambling.

By 1972, Maryland legalized a state lottery, which opened up new gambling options for its residents. Since then, the state has made several alterations to its gambling laws, broadening the range of legal options. The following timeline summarizes the legal changes that have taken place in the state:

• •1700s: The first documented gambling in Maryland occurs, with lotteries held in the state.
• •1920: Due to the popularity of horse racing and greyhound racing, the state introduced the Maryland Racing Commission to oversee the practice, including pari-mutuel betting.
• •1943: Maryland lawmakers legalize slot machines, which makes Maryland casinos incredibly popular, especially in Annapolis. Around 5,000 locations across the state were offering slot games.
• •1960s: Lawmakers passed several laws throughout the decade to prevent slot machine gambling in MD.
• •1972: Maryland legalized a state lottery, and the General Assembly authorized the formation of the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
• •2008: Voters approve a ballot measure to allow gambling locations to operate slot machines, with over 58% of voters approving.
• •2009: The state introduced and approved SB 102 and HB 608, legalizing slot machines in MD.
• •September 17, 2010: The first land-based casino in Maryland, Hollywood Casino Perryville, opens its doors. Maryland only allows slot gaming at this time.
• •2012: Maryland lawmakers pass more casino laws, allowing table games like blackjack and roulette at land-based casinos. Lawmakers also pass laws to legalize DFS formally in Maryland.
• •2014: Maryland has five commercial casinos, all permitting slot and table gaming.
• •2016: More DFS laws pass, allowing a broader range of DFS games. The final commercial casino launches in December. As a result, Maryland has six physical casinos operating throughout the state.
• •November 2020: Voters approve sports betting by a vote of 2:1.
• •July 2021: Maryland officially legalizes online, and retail sports betting after HB 940 passes the House and the Senate and receives approval from Governor Larry Hogan. This Bill's terms support 60 online and 47 retail sportsbook licenses.
• •December 9, 2021: Retail sportsbooks open in MD.
• •December 2022: Online sports betting goes live in Maryland.
• •December 2023: Senator Ron Watson presents a study to Maryland lawmakers showing the potential impact of the online casino industry. The study conducted by the Innovation Group estimated that the industry could generate up to $900 million in yearly operator revenue and $300 million in taxes once the market matures in 2029.
• •January 25, 2024: Senators Ron Watson and Nancy King introduce SB 267, a measure that will put the issue of online casino gambling on the November 2024 ballot. As part of its proposal, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission will oversee the industry.

Types of Casinos Available in Maryland

Maryland is home to six commercial casinos, all of which launched between 2010 and 2016. Additionally, the first retail sportsbook only launched in December 2021. To enter and legally gamble at these establishments, you must be at least 21.

Besides commercial casinos, Maryland offers a range of online sweepstakes and social casinos. Such sites are permitted since they avoid the real money element, and they are a great alternative if you live far from commercial casinos. As for a thorough explanation of the different forms of Maryland casinos, let us break things down.

Commercial Casinos

Commercial casinos remain the only type of ‘brick-and-mortar’ casinos available in the state. As the name indicates, ‘commercial casinos’ describe any physical casino location that supports real money in-person gambling. There are six commercial casinos in MD. All of these support numerous forms of casino gambling, including poker, electronic games, table games (blackjack, roulette, craps, etc.), and slots.

The largest and most diverse of these six commercial casinos is the Maryland Live! Casino. With roughly 4,000 slot games, 200+ table games, and poker and electronic games. It’s a casino that rivals the giants of Las Vegas.

But interestingly, as numbers show, Maryland Live! Casino isn’t the most popular. This award goes to MGM National Harbor, a commercial casino with over 3,000 games and an approximate 39% market share based on revenue.

Tribal Casinos

Interestingly, Maryland is one of just 19 states in the USA with zero tribal casinos. But contrary to what this suggests, Maryland does have three state-recognized tribes. So why are there no tribal casinos if that’s the case?

The reason is that these tribes are ‘state-recognized’ and not ‘federally-recognized’. Subsequently, due to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988 and other federal laws, Maryland has close to zero authority over the land belonging to such tribes. While in some other states, tribal casinos can dominate the casino gambling landscape.

Online Casinos

Since Maryland hasn’t passed any laws permitting real money online casinos, these are illegal in MD. However, both social and sweepstakes casinos exist as viable alternatives. Each platform type is open and available for residents of Maryland aged 21 and over.

Both forms support online casino games that cover slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, and other table games. However, while people often use these terms synonymously, the two have subtle differences.

Of course, you must familiarize yourself with these differences to choose the most appropriate Maryland online casinos. And by most appropriate, we mean selecting sites that suit your preferences.

Social Casinos

Social casinos are the go-to option for safe and free online gaming in Maryland. They prioritize the social aspect of gaming, enabling players to compete and interact with each other through in-game chat systems as they play. These friendly platforms allow gaming with virtual currencies called Gold Coins, which have no monetary value.

Although social casinos primarily focus on free gaming and entertainment from social interactions, you can still purchase additional Gold Coins if you wish.

Sweepstakes Casinos in Maryland

For Maryland residents who want online gaming action with more of an edge, sweepstakes casinos stand out as the perfect solution. Sweepstakes casinos are very similar to social casinos, as referenced earlier. You’ll find identical gaming portfolios covering jackpots, slots, table games, poker, and others.

So, what’s the twist? The key difference between sweepstakes and social casinos is that you can win actual prizes at sweepstakes sites. Sweepstakes casinos offer an additional type of virtual currency known as Sweeps Coins. You’ll be able to exchange these for real money prizes. However, prizes never involve direct cash payouts, as this would fall under gambling. And just to remind you, real money online casinos are not yet legal in Maryland.

Instead, the available prizes tend to cover things like gift cards, experiences, vouchers, or merchandise. And to be clear, you can enjoy sweepstakes casinos for free. By taking advantage of promotions to gain Gold Coins without any investment, free gaming is yours.

But, if you want to replenish your bankroll, you can purchase Gold Coins in bundles from the casino site using various trusted payment options.

Casino Games Available in Maryland

Commercial casinos across Maryland supply hundreds, if not thousands, of casino games to enjoy at their respective locations. In addition, top online platforms like social and sweepstakes casinos also provide a healthy range of casino games.

That said, it’s natural for different players to enjoy different gaming styles. So, while you might love slot gaming, someone else might prefer card games such as blackjack or poker. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preferences. As for how you can be confident in sourcing the best games, it’s an easy answer.

You will need to look for Maryland casinos that offer a wide range of games spread throughout the most popular categories. This brings us to our list of categories you should keep in mind when checking out MD casinos.

Slots

Slots are by far the most popular gaming category, so whether you’re playing online or offline, you’re likely to find more slot titles than any other type of game. In Maryland's commercial casinos, thousands of slots are available, many of which are featured on the best online casinos too. The reason for their popularity lies in their simplicity.

All you’ll need to do is decide how much you’d like to wager, spin the reels, and see whether you’re a winner. This makes slots perfect for total novices. And even if you’ve been playing slots for years, there are so many out there that you’ll never run out of options.

As for typical variants, you’ll find retro three-reel, modern-day five-reel, Megaways, 3D, and jackpot slots at the best Maryland casinos. Each game is crafted with a unique storyline, characters, and gameplay mechanics, making for a completely different experience with each game you play.

Slots also come in a variety of themes to cater to different players’ interests, including horror, music, and sports slots, to name a few. You’ll also find that games have their own unique bonus features to enhance the playing experience, including free spins, multipliers, wild symbols, and avalanche reels.

Progressive Slots

Progressive slots fall into the category of jackpot slots, but they follow a different system. In regular jackpot games, there’s usually one or more fixed jackpots to shoot for. The values of these jackpots remain consistent, while the associated winnings relate to the value of your stake.

For example, if a slot had a jackpot worth 1000x your stake and you wagered $1 per spin, the most you can win if you hit the jackpot is $1000. However, in progressive slots, the associated jackpot continues to rise with every wager until someone wins it, hence the title ‘progressive.’

These games are in high demand since the possible jackpots regularly extend into the six and even seven-figure ranges. A classic example of such a game is Mega Moolah, a progressive slot designed by Microgaming. The largest single payout won by an individual in this game was more than $20 million, which gives you an idea of how substantial these prizes can be. While Mega Moolah isn’t available in Maryland at this time, we hope it will become available in the future.

Roulette

Very few casino games magnify the element of pure chance, quite like roulette. As history tells us, the game has drawn in many players over the centuries and is still going strong at top Maryland casinos. The popularity of roulette largely comes down to the creative adaptations seen with the game since those early times.

There are several popular versions of the game available at Maryland casinos. You’ve got classics like European Roulette (single zero), American Roulette (double zero), and French Roulette (single zero with a couple of rule changes) to choose from.

The objective of the game is to make a bet that covers the pocket in which the ball will land. However, as many experienced roulette players will tell you, that’s much easier said than done. But that’s what keeps them coming back for more.

Blackjack, also known as 21 or Pontoon in different parts of the world, is a classic card game that has stood the test of time. This table game puts you against a dealer, and the goal is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. However, that’s exactly what the dealer is trying to do too, which gives blackjack a competitive element.

Over the years, blackjack has been tweaked and adjusted almost to exhaustion, resulting in an extensive collection of variations. Of course, this is fantastic for blackjack players, as it means that variations like Classic Blackjack (single deck), European Blackjack (two decks), Perfect Pairs Blackjack (played with side bets), and several others are now available.

Other Table Games

Blackjack and roulette are the two games that most people associate with the ‘table games’ category. But the more you explore this category at leading Maryland casino sites, the more you’ll realize that this category contains so much more. Two other table games that rank as the most popular include baccarat and craps.

Baccarat is a card game involving you (the player) and a banker (the dealer). Your objective is to bet on who will finish with the highest value hand, for which you will draw two or three cards. As for craps, this is a dice game, and it’s incredibly popular at commercial casinos.

In craps, you bet on the outcome of a series of dice rolls, and the game has many different wagers that you can make. It’s a game where multiple players can play simultaneously, making it a very sociable game when played in person.

Poker

While physical casinos in Maryland facilitate cash tables and tournaments, online casinos provide access to virtual versions of poker games, such as Three Card, Seven Card Stud, Casino Hold’em, and Pai Gow Poker. Each game has its own intricate set of rules to spice things up, but across the board, the idea is to create the strongest set of cards possible.

Maryland online casinos also offer video poker games. In these games, you won’t compete against a dealer. Instead, you must create the best five-card set possible. To achieve this, you’ll go through a process of keeping certain cards while throwing others away for a replacement.

Lastly, certain commercial casinos in Maryland facilitate competitive poker through cash tables and tournaments. Classic examples include Texas Hold’em Poker and Omaha, which are supported by casinos such as Maryland Live! Casino.

Live Dealer

Last but not least, some social and sweepstakes casinos in Maryland also support live dealer gaming. HD streaming services power these games. Live dealer games involve a dealer streaming the game from a land-based casino or a set that replicates one.

You should find live dealer titles for blackjack, poker, and roulette. Certain game-show titles regularly feature as some of the best in the business too, as seen with Monopoly Live and Crazy Time.

These games will give you that taste of being in a real-life casino without stepping outside your front door. At the same time, in-game chat systems keep things interactive, upbeat, and friendly for all involved.

When Will Maryland Online Casinos Be Legal?

While we can’t predict the future, we can make educated guesses about how it might look based on the evidence we have to work with. On that note, the future of real money casino gaming in Maryland seems bright. Legislation is in progress that could totally change the laws in MD regarding real money online casinos. But for the law to change, Maryland voters must approve online casinos in a ballot.

The next potential ballot is in November 2024, which would set up a chance to pass legislation in 2025. It took over a year for online sportsbooks to launch in Maryland after legalization, so assuming online casinos follow a similar timeline, this type of gambling may not be available in 2026. Still, there’s hope, so that’s something!

Free Casino Games in Maryland

You can play pretty much all the real money games supported at Maryland commercial casinos for free via online platforms. Both social and sweepstakes casinos facilitate free gaming in Maryland, so you’re far from short on suitable options. And given the legal landscape surrounding casino gaming in MD, it’s fantastic that such platforms operate to provide players with a legal and free alternative to real money sites.

Of course, playing games for free has many advantages too. In doing so, you can never lose money, you can sample exciting games for slots and table games without any investment, and you could work on strategies for games like blackjack or roulette without the financial risks.

Maryland Casino Apps

Mobile gaming is becoming increasingly popular around the world. As a result, casino operators have started offering mobile-optimized versions of their games that you can access via your mobile browser or by downloading an app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

There are numerous benefits to playing at Maryland casino apps instead of desktop sites. These benefits include the flexibility to play from anywhere, access to top games 24/7, and the availability of exclusive mobile-only bonuses. With that said, real money casino gaming apps don’t exist in Maryland.

But sweepstakes casino apps certainly do. These apps support an immense game range, and top casinos make them available for both Android and iOS devices. As for the download process, let us give you a quick breakdown:

1. Locate the available app in the iOS or Google Play Store

2. Hit install or download

3. Complete the registration process from the app

4. Sign in, find a game you want to play, and have fun

Maryland Casino Bonuses

Although you won’t be able to claim real-money bonuses at Maryland online casinos, social and sweepstakes casinos still offer promotions just like those you’d find at real-money sites. You can claim bonuses like free spins and free coins, which will extend your playing time on the site. We recommend taking advantage of promotions, as you could win more coins and exchange them for real money prizes if you're playing at a sweepstakes site!

One of the most common online casino bonuses you’ll come across is welcome bonuses, which online casinos offer to new customers to tempt them to sign up. Welcome bonuses allow players to test out a casino and potentially walk away with a profit. The good news is for MD players that online casinos tend to join more generous bonuses in states that have just legalized online casinos. So, players can expect great rewards when casinos go live in Maryland.

Our experts have looked at online casinos likely to launch in Maryland and casinos that are live in other US states to give you a preview of what online casino bonuses may be available when this type of gambling goes live.

DraftKings: Deposit Match up to $2,000 or Deposit Match up to $100DraftKings online casino gives players a choice of two welcome bonuses when they sign up. One bonus you can claim is the 100% deposit match of up to $2,000. You can effectively double your playing money by adding money to your account, with a maximum amount of $4,000. You must opt-in for this promotion within seven days of creating your account.

Your bonus funds will have wagering requirements, which tell you how many times you need to use your bonuses and initial deposit before withdrawing. For the 100% deposit match bonus, the wagering requirements are 10x. So, if you claim the maximum reward of $2,000, giving you $4,000 of playing money in your account, you’ll need to wager $40,000 to make an eligible withdrawal.

The other promotion is a 100% deposit match up to $100. The site will award you with DK Dollars equal to your deposit, which have 1x wagering requirements.

The two welcome bonuses will appeal to a range of players, with the first more appealing to high rollers who can pick up a serious boost to their bankroll. Meanwhile, the second bonus requires a smaller risk and gives players a greater chance of making a profit.

Promo Codes

While applying promo codes for online casinos might be foreign to you, there’s a strong chance you’ve used promo codes before. They usually consist of a combination of letters and numbers. Of course, the idea behind promo codes is that they unlock better deals or certain perks in the real world. But at Maryland online casinos, promo codes link directly to bonuses.

Usually, the available codes grant access to a better bonus than the one you see on the platform in question. For example, if one Maryland casino advertises 500 free Gold Coins upon registering, a promo code might lead to 1000 free Gold Coins.

Promo codes are used at real money casinos in other states too. Yet, in this instance, any respective promo code is designed to generate a more attractive real money boost through extra cash, free spins, or a blend of the two.

No Deposit Bonus

By definition, a no-deposit bonus requires no investment to snag the associated rewards. Subsequently, your only requirement to redeem these offers is to register at the online casino advertising the deal. Signing up is often a two-minute process, yet you should pay special attention to whether the bonus requires a precise promo code. Also, keep in mind that no-deposit bonuses at real money casinos usually come with wagering requirements attached. Otherwise, the casino would lose out on a lot of money.

Of course, the rewards of a no-deposit bonus can vary. But common examples include free spins for slots, bingo or keno tickets, and bonus cash (at real money sites only).

Deposit Bonus

While a no-deposit bonus requires no investment, a deposit bonus does. You will see these promotions floating around the best sweepstakes casinos in Maryland. Yet, at risk of stating the obvious, these deals don’t apply to the free play route at sweepstakes or social casinos.

Since a deposit is required, you must buy a set quantity of Gold Coins to secure the offer's benefits. As for how things work, you could lock in a 100% deposit boost. In this instance, if you purchased 500 Gold Coins for $5, you’d receive 1000 Gold Coins in total for the same $5 investment.

Free Spins

Since you can only use free spins on slot games, these bonuses are perfect for slot gaming enthusiasts. Note that depending on the casino site, they could offer free spins through a no-deposit or deposit bonus. Either way, the end result is that you’ll bank a set number of free spins for some high-quality slot games (hopefully).

For example, you could get 100 free spins for the immensely popular slot game Starburst. And when using them, you won’t dip into your Gold Coin balance.

Reward Programs

Many of the top casinos in Maryland offer reward programs to their players. By spending money at these casinos, players can earn loyalty points and later redeem them for various perks. These perks range from casino bonuses such as free spins to exciting merchandise and tickets to special events. While some programs may automatically enroll players, others may require you to register.

Reward programs are not limited to real-money online casino sites. Free-play sites and land-based casinos also offer them. The purpose of these programs is to encourage players to keep playing. They typically follow a 'points per play' model, and at sweepstakes casinos, certain prizes will be available once you reach a specific points milestone.

For instance, a site may offer ten loyalty points for every 100 Gold Coins wagered. Players can redeem their points for a range of prizes corresponding to the number of points they've accumulated.

Maryland Online Casino Payment Methods

When you play at Maryland sweepstakes casinos, you don’t need to spend a cent. The site will fill up your virtual coin balance when you sign up, which should be sufficient. However, you will have the option to purchase extra virtual currencies if you wish.

If you decide to purchase a coin bundle from the site, you must make an on-site transaction. The best Maryland casinos offer several trusted and reliable payment methods for you to do so. These include prepaid cards, debit cards (Visa/MasterCard), e-wallets (Skrill/Neteller/PayPal), direct bank transfers, and vouchers.

But to clarify once more, you don’t have to purchase Gold Coins to play at sweepstakes or social casinos. By redeeming promotions to refill your Gold Coins balance, you can play for free continually. Then again, once your balance hits zero, you’ll need to wait for the next promotion, which is a common hurdle of the free-play route at sweepstakes casinos.

Real Money Casino Games in Maryland

Through SB 267, Maryland is considering legalizing real-money online casinos. However, nothing official has been signed into law yet. If Maryland legalizes online casino gambling, you can expect to find all of the same types of games you’d find in other states. Online slot games are likely to make up the majority of the selection, as well as virtual table games like blackjack, roulette, and craps. You’ll find both standard versions and fun variations that add more ways to win and bigger prizes.

Online casinos in MD will also likely offer live dealer games, which are HD live streams of professional dealers operating table games. Again, you’ll find table games like blackjack and roulette and game shows too.

Are online slots legal in MD?

No, real-money online slot games are not legal in Maryland. When MD legalizes online casinos, most games supported at online casinos will be online slots. If you want to enjoy playing slot games, you can visit a land-based casino in Maryland. Alternatively, you can go to a neighboring state like Pennsylvania or West Virginia, where online casinos are legal.

Another option for Maryland players is to visit a social casino site and play slots for free. You can’t make money playing these games, but you can enjoy spinning reels and triggering bonus features without any risk.

Best Sweepstakes Casinos in Maryland

To stress once more, Maryland sweepstakes casinos exist in rich supply. Since these sites do not explicitly facilitate real money gambling, MD allows them. As for what they offer, the best sweepstakes casinos provide hundreds of slots, jackpots, table games, and interactive poker.

You can sign up at these sites as long as you are at least 21 years old. And much like social casinos, you can access these sites for free. The key difference between these and social sites is that you could win prizes at Sweepstakes Casinos, including vouchers, experiences, and more. That’s because they offer an additional type of currency, known as Sweeps Coins, which you can claim through promos or win while playing your favorite games.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Maryland?

Up until 2021, Maryland completely prohibited sports betting. However, since Governor Larry Hogan introduced HB 940 in 2021, Maryland has officially been a legal sports betting state. The first sports wagers weren’t officially placed until December 2021, as existing commercial casinos needed time to set up their retail sportsbooks.

Fast forward to November 2022, the relatively new Maryland sportsbooks finally transitioned into the online sports betting game. Quite amazingly, sports betting laws in Maryland permit up to 60 online sports betting licenses and 47 retail sportsbook licenses. Betting brands that have snapped up these licenses already include FanDuel, DraftKings, Betfred, Caesars, BetRivers, PointsBet, and others.

Such laws set the stage for a possible explosion in the Maryland sports betting industry in the coming years. As for common wagers, spreads, moneyline bets, and parlays are fair game. Yet, certain Maryland prohibits all wagers relating to high-school sports and non-sporting events.

Maryland Land-Based Casinos

Maryland has a rich history with gambling. The first documented gambling in the state dates back to the 1700s. The state later banned all forms of gambling in the 1960s.

Gambling came back to the Old Line State in 2008 when new laws allowed gambling locations to offer slot machines once again. The first land-based casino to open was Hollywood Casino Perryville in 2010. In 2012, Maryland lawmakers approved table games.

Here are some of the land-based locations that you can visit to gamble in Maryland.

Maryland Live! Casino

The Maryland Live! Casino is a true Goliath in every sense of the word. Famous for being the ‘largest casino floor in Maryland,’ this casino supplies visitors with 4,000+ slot machines, 200+ table games, and over 50+ poker and card rooms. For that reason, it’s hailed as the go-to casino for those seeking competitive poker play in Maryland too.

Additionally, this casino has an on-site sportsbook serviced by FanDuel and 300+ luxury rooms through Maryland Live! Casino Hotel. It even has a spa to unwind after a hard day of casino gaming fun!

MGM National Harbor

MGM National Harbor was the last commercial casino to launch in Maryland in December 2016. Since it is located in Ocon Hill, this is the closest commercial casino to Washington D.C. And because it has over 125,000 sq/ft of gaming floor, it’s a fan-favorite. More specifically, MGM National Harbor has around 2,800 slots, nearly 150 table games, and almost 50 poker rooms.

The MGM National Harbor also functions as a hotel with 74 luxury suites and 234 rooms, and it even has its own art gallery and shopping district on site.

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore

Lastly, the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore is another epic casino that Maryland residents adore. This casino is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corporation, which gives you an idea of the significance of this one. As for its unique appeal, it’s one of the few casinos with a designated high-stakes slot-gaming area.

Yet the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore also offers an impressive 2,500 slots, 150+ table games, and 25+ poker rooms, and it also facilitates off-track horse racing betting. And for the ‘foodies’ among us, this establishment has several prestigious restaurants on-site representing world-renowned chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Giada De Laurentiis, and Guy Fieri.

Maryland Poker Rooms and Card Rooms

Given the flexibility of legal gambling options in Maryland, you won’t be surprised that poker rooms exist at most commercial casinos in the state. If you’re not sure what these are, poker rooms are tailored rooms where gamblers enjoy competitive poker through cash tables, tournaments, and even high-limit tables. Once again, players must be 21+ to enter and play in these poker rooms, as per the blanket MD laws for gambling.

Of the casinos servicing live poker and card rooms, the Maryland Live! Casino boasts some of the most extensive offerings in the state. This casino has 50+ tables in the various poker and card rooms. Additionally, you can enjoy a full selection of leading poker variants like No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit, and many others at this casino.

As for real money online poker, no such offerings exist since Maryland prohibits this activity. Of course, online poker fits the exact description of online gambling. So until such laws change, things will stay this way. But that doesn’t stop you from enjoying virtual and video poker games through leading sweepstakes casinos.

Racinos in Maryland

There is only one racino in Maryland, the Ocean Downs Casino, located in Berlin. If you’re wondering what a racino is, let us clear up any doubts. Simply put, a racino is an establishment with a racetrack and on-site gambling facilities too.

Of course, since there is a fully functional racino in Maryland, this confirms that the state allows racinos. As for what bets you can make at Maryland racinos, the list is equally, if not more extensive than commercial casinos. It’s possible to place bets on the available horse and greyhound races that take place there, as well as standard casino gaming products such as table games and slots.

As for what’s on offer at the Ocean Downs Casino, over 850 slots and plenty of table games covering poker, roulette, and blackjack keep this racino buzzing seven days a week. But if you plan on visiting, you must be over the age of 21.

Responsible Gambling at Maryland Casinos

Any gambler in Maryland who wants to self-exclude can join the statewide self-exclusion program run by Maryland Lottery and Gaming. By self-excluding, gamblers can restrict their access to land-based casinos and online gambling sites in MD, including sportsbooks.

To complete the self-exclusion process, players must fill out the application form and submit it in person at the Maryland Lottery and Gaming headquarters. Alternatively, each of the state’s six land-based casinos will have staff members of Maryland Lottery and Gaming on duty to help with any inquiries.

For anyone who doesn’t want to self-exclude but is still looking for responsible gambling support, there are several helpful organizations out there. The Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration recommends support through the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, which provides advice, helps people connect with counselors, and operates a 24/7 helpline for struggling gamblers (1-800-Gambler).

FAQs

When will online casinos be legal in Maryland?

New types of gambling in Maryland require ballot approval from voters before being legalized by lawmakers. The next opportunity for a ballot vote is in November 2024, which would set up legislation being passed in 2025. Still, if this law passes, online casinos may not actually launch until 2026.

Is sports betting legal in Maryland?

Online and retail sports betting are legal in Maryland. Online sports betting went live in December 2022, with licenses for up to 60 sportsbooks available. As long as you enable geolocation technology on your device, you can use the sportsbook anywhere in the state.

What age is it legal to gamble in Maryland?

To enter a casino or sportsbook in Maryland, you must be at least 21. The same goes for online casinos. However, for lottery and bingo, you can participate if you’re 18+.

Is it safe to play on Sweepstakes casinos in Maryland?

There are rigged casino sites out there, so be sure to access a casino from our recommendations to ensure you don’t land on one of these. Our casino experts have tested each site’s security measures, so you can rest assured that you and your data are in safe hands.

Can I gamble on my mobile phone in Maryland?

Yes, you can engage in online sports betting or casino games using your mobile phone in Maryland, as the top websites are mobile-optimized with HTML5 technology. Whether you're at home, at work, or on the move, you can experience the gambling excitement!