Legal Gambling in the State of Maryland

Maryland was one of the last states in the region to legalize casinos. All typical games are found at Maryland casinos, including slots, video poker, live poker, and table games. Other forms of legalized gambling in Maryland include retail sports betting, a state lottery, social gaming, charitable gaming, and daily fantasy sports. Mobile sports betting is legal in Maryland. It launched on November 23, 2022.

Social gaming is legal in Maryland. The maximum amount of a prize pool may not exceed $1,000. The house may not take a cut. Charities are permitted to offer bingo games, raffles, and casino nights. Daily fantasy sports are legal through companies like DraftKings and FanDuel.

Maryland content listed was previously provided on Maryland Advantage. All of the blog posts have been archived and are still available.

Gambling in the United States

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MD commercial casinos

Maryland has six full-service casinos in the state. Games offered include slots, video poker, baccarat, blackjack, craps, pai gow poker, Mississippi Stud, roulette, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and other house-banked table games. Most Maryland casinos have a live poker room and a sportsbook.

Maryland casino gamblers must be 21 years of age or older. Minors are permitted to dine at most casino restaurants with exterior entrances.

Hollywood Casino Perryville

1201 Chesapeake Overlook Parkway, Perryville, MD

There are around 800 slot and video poker machines, 20 table games, and a poker room at Hollywood Casino Perryville. It has a Barstool sportsbook, a race book, and two dining options. There is no hotel on the property.

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore

1525 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD

In Baltimore, the Horseshoe Casino offers 2,200 slot and video poker machines, 150 table games, and a combined Caesars Sportsbook and race book. The property also has a poker room and multiple dining options. Partner hotels are available in the area.

Caesars Online Sportsbook$1,250 First Bet Loss Rebate + 1,000 Reward & Tier CreditsPromo Code: VEGADVFULLRead ReviewClaim Now21+ and present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV or WY. First online real money wager only. Refund issued as a single bet credit that expires 14 days after receipt. Restrictions apply.

Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland

7002 Arundel Mills Circle #7777, Handover, MD

Located at Arundel Mills, Live! Casino and Hotel has over 4,000 slot and video poker machines, 200 table games, a FanDuel Sportsbook, and a live poker room. It has almost a large selection of dining options and a 310-room hotel.

FanDuel Online SportsbookFirst Bet Loss Rebate, Up to $1,000Read ReviewClaim Now21+ and present in AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY. First online real money wager only. Bonus bets expire 14 days after receipt. Restrictions apply.

MGM National Harbor

101 MGM National Avenue, Forest Heights, MD

MGM National Harbor has around 3,300 slot and video poker machines, 120 table games, a poker room, and a BetMGM Sportsbook and race book. The property offers over a dozen restaurants and 234 hotel rooms.

BetMGM Online SportsbookFirst Bet Loss Rebate, Up to $1,000Read ReviewClaim Now21+ and present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV or WY. Loss rebate paid in one or five bet credits, depending on qualifying bet amount. Bet credits expire seven days after issued. Restrictions apply.

Ocean Downs Casino

10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD

Oceans Downs Casino is the only Maryland casino with a live horse racetrack. There are also 900 slot/video poker machines, 20 table games, and a TwinSpires Sportsbook. It has four dining options available. Shuttle service is provided between the casino and its partner hotels.

Rocky Gap Resort

16701 Lakeview Road NE, Flintstone, MD

Rocky Gap Resort is surrounded by state park lands. The casino offers 660 machines and 17 table games. The property has three dining options, a 216-room hotel, and a golf course.

MD retail and mobile sports betting

Sports betting became legal in Maryland beginning in 2021. The first sportsbook in Maryland opened in December 2021. Mobile sports betting launched on November 21, 2022. Licensed and legal operators include BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Sports bettors must be 21 years of age or older for both retail and online operations.

Bonus offers are available to new sports bettors in the state who are not on an exclusion list or otherwise not permitted to participate. Due to Maryland’s more recent entry into the online sports betting market, new player offers may vary from other states’ promotions.

BetMGM Online SportsbookFirst Bet Loss Rebate, Up to $1,000Read ReviewClaim Now21+ and present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV or WY. Loss rebate paid in one or five bet credits, depending on qualifying bet amount. Bet credits expire seven days after issued. Restrictions apply.
DraftKings Online SportsbookBet $5 and Win, Then Get $150 in Bonus BetsRead ReviewClaim Now21+ and present in AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV or 18+ in WY. Minimum $5 deposit. Minimum $5 bet. Bet must win. Bonus paid as six $25 bonus bets. Restrictions apply.
FanDuel Online SportsbookFirst Bet Loss Rebate, Up to $1,000Read ReviewClaim Now21+ and present in AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY. First online real money wager only. Bonus bets expire 14 days after receipt. Restrictions apply.

Approved sports wagers in Maryland

Wagers on most professional sports leagues and NCAA sports are approved. Similar to other states, bets on high school sports and equivalent level clubs are prohibited.

Events approved by the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) include Australian Rules Football, badminton, baseball, basketball, biathlon, bowling, boxing, chess, cornhole, cricket, darts, disc, eating competitions, e-sports, floorball, football, futsal, Gaelic games, golf, handball, hockey (ice and field), jai-alai, lacrosse, MMA, motorsports, netball, Olympics, pesäpallo, pickleball, pool, rodeo, rowing, rugby league, rugby union, sailing, snooker, soccer, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, and water polo. Additional sports are permitted as summer and winter athletic events.

MD live harness and thoroughbred horse racing

Maryland is home to both live harness and thoroughbred racing. Most tracks are family-friendly and allow minors to attend races. Simulcast and live race bets may be placed by persons 18 years of age or older.

Simulcast wagering is available at casino race books and at racetracks. Off-track betting locations include Greenmount Station in Hampstead, the Timonium Fair Grounds, Jockey Bar and Grille in Boonsboro, Riverboat on the Potomac, and Long Shot’s in Frederick. Race books are also located inside Hollywood Casino Perryville, Horseshoe Baltimore, MGM National Harbor, and Ocean Downs.

Advance deposit wagers are available online and through mobile apps. Approved ADWs include 1/st Bet, FanDuel Racing, NYRA Bets, TVG, and Twinspires Racing.

Harness racetracks in Maryland

  • Ocean Downs – 10218 Racetrack Road, Berlin
    • Live racing from June through September
    • Standard race days are Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and select Thursdays
  • Rosecroft Raceway – 6336 Rosecroft Drive, Fort Washington
    • Live racing from September through May
    • Standard race days are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in May

Thoroughbred racetracks in Maryland

  • Laurel Park – RT 198 & Racetrack Road, Laurel
    • Year-round live racing
    • Standard race days are Sundays, Fridays, and Saturdays
  • Pimlico – 5201 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore
    • Live racing in May and September
    • Standard race days are Sundays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Thursdays in May

MD state lottery

There is a state lottery in Maryland. Games include Powerball, Mega Millions, FAST PLAY, Pick 3, Pick 4, Bonus Match 5, Cash4Life, Multi-Match, 5 Card Cash, Keno, Racetrax, and scratch-offs. Lottery players must be at least 18 years old.

US Casino Advantage blog posts about Maryland

  • Scripps Media Has a Responsible Gambling Problem

    Scripps Media owns 61 TV stations in the US. The company promotes illegal and irresponsible gambling on some of its websites.

  • Help with How to Gamble Responsibly

    With the growth of US gambling, players need to understand their limits. Gambling, like other activities, can be fun when enjoyed responsibly.

  • Best Maryland Video Poker Games

    We visited all six Maryland casinos in 2021. This article covers the best video poker pay tables and denominations available in the state.

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