Gambling Laws in Maryland

Maryland is home to one of the world's most famous horse race tracks - Pimlico. So it's hardly surprising that betting on such events has been legal for many years. However, Maryland is also home to numerous other forms of gambling, although most online activities are still unregulated.

Which Types of Gambling Are Legal in Maryland?

The Maryland Code outlines the state laws regarding gambling, with most forms deemed illegal unless otherwise specified. The regulatory authority is the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.

In reality, many gambling activities are permitted although most online forms remain unregulated simply because they are not mentioned in the current laws.

Landbased and Online Casino Games

Casino gambling is legal in Maryland, with the state home to 6 casinos: MGM National Harbor, Ocean Downs, Rocky Gap Casino Resort, Hollywood Casino Perryville, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore and Maryland Live! These venues offer a range of slots plus traditional card and table games such as Blackjack and Roulette. Casino games can also be played at occasional events run by charitable organisations.

Online gambling is unregulated, given that the law doesn't make any reference to this. The only permitted form is social gambling via sites such as the one operated by Maryland Live!, where no money is exchanged. The same goes for platforms which feature free online slots.

Playing Poker for Cash

Poker gambling is legal in Maryland, with most of the state's casinos operating poker rooms. The largest of these is at Maryland Live! which is also an official World Poker Tour location. Games played at rooms in the state tend to be Texas Hold'em, but other games are also offered.

Online poker is unregulated with no existing rooms permitted to offer online services. Playing online poker is considered illegal, but no one has ever been prosecuted.

Bingo Gambling

Playing bingo with real money is legal in Maryland, with the state offering a vibrant scene through its numerous halls. Calvert and Anne Arundel counties also allow their residents to play via bingo machines.

Online bingo gambling is unregulated with no halls allowed to offer games online. Some out-of-state US online casinos will accept players from Maryland, though no prosecution has ever been brought against a resident.

Lotteries

Lottery gambling is legal with the Maryland Lottery offering tickets for draw-based games such as Powerball and Mega Millions. It's also possible to purchase scratchcards, instant win games and keno at more than 4,000 outlets across the state.

Those interested in playing online lottery games for real money can do so at many foreign sites. Whilst this is illegal it's highly unlikely a prosecution will be pursued.

Social Gambling and Crypto Casinos

Social gambling at home is permitted as long as no commercial profits are being made. There is much debate over the classification and legality of loot boxes and skins gambling, but these activities remain unregulated in Maryland.

Maryland permits cryptocurrency businesses and exchanges in the state and residents can even buy virtual coins via ATMs. However, none of the existing legal gambling venues accept cryptocurrencies. This means that Marylanders are left with offshore crypto casinos for playing Bitcoin and altcoin casino games.

What's the Situation With Sports Betting in Maryland?

Sports betting is legal with a referendum in late 2020 showing the state's desire for such an industry. The MGM National Harbor casino offers sports betting markets, but stadiums can also operate as bookmakers.

Online sports betting is also legal, with laws permitting such operations coming into effect in late 2022. Top online sports betting providers in the state include BetRivers, DraftKings and FanDuel.

Horse racing is a well-established tradition in Maryland, with Pimlico being the state's most famous course. Four racetracks offer parimutuel betting markets, with sites like TwinSpires allowing punters to bet on events online.

Daily fantasy sports contests are also legal, with the state being the first in the country to allow such gambling activities.

Gambling Age Restriction

The Maryland minimum gambling age is 18 years for bingo, lottery and parimutuel betting, but residents must be at least 21 to bet on sports or play casino games.

Maryland Gambling Tax Regulations

These stipulate that sports betting and casino operators must pay a 15% tax on gross revenue. For residents, gambling winnings are taxed as income on the state level at 2% to 5.75%, with a 24% tax withheld on the federal level.

History of Gambling Laws in Maryland

Gambling in Maryland dates back to the 1740s when betting on the horses at Pimlico and playing lottery games were common pastimes. Such activities were entirely unregulated until around 1870.

The Maryland Racing Commission was established in 1920. Slot machines were legally permitted from 1943, but the 1960s saw them come under stricter controls and eventually fizzle out. Meanwhile, charitable bingo games were legalised in 1952 and by 1973, Marylanders had voted for a state lottery.

Land-based casinos were legalised in 2008, with the first establishment to open being Hollywood Casino Perryville in 2010. Table games were then allowed in licensed venues.

DFS games were permitted in 2012 whilst land-based sports betting was legalised in 2020, and online sports betting followed in 2022.

Key Facts 

• Casino gambling is legal in Maryland, with the state home to 6 casino venues.

• Online casino gambling is unregulated.

• Poker gambling is legal, with games occurring at several of the state's casinos.

• Online poker gambling is unregulated.

• Bingo gambling is legal, with Maryland home to several bingo halls, while games can also be played at charitable events.

• Online bingo gambling is unregulated.

• Lottery gambling is legal via the Maryland Lottery, but online ticket sales are prohibited.

• Both offline and online sports betting are legal.

• Daily fantasy sports contests are legal.