Online Gambling in Maryland: Legal Status, Land-Based Casinos, and Offshore Gray Area
Maryland maintains a regulated gambling industry overseen by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA), focusing on six commercial casinos, video lottery terminals, pari-mutuel horse racing, and charitable gaming. No intrastate online casinos, poker, or sports betting operate legally. Offshore platforms accept Maryland residents in a gray area, with no documented prosecutions of individual players for participation as of 2026, though state law prohibits unauthorized wagering and emphasizes risks such as lack of consumer protections, potential fraud, and absence of recourse on unregulated sites. Problem gambling resources remain readily available statewide.
Legal Framework for Gambling
Maryland law defines gambling broadly as risking something of value on a game of chance or future event outcome. Unauthorized activities remain prohibited under Criminal Law Article §12-101 et seq., with penalties primarily targeting operators. No specific statutes impose direct penalties on individual players using offshore sites for casino games or poker. Enforcement prioritizes illegal domestic operations and unlicensed promotion over personal offshore play. The legal gambling age is 21 for all casino and racing activities.
Land-Based Casinos in Maryland
Maryland features six commercial casinos, all offering slots, table games, and poker rooms. Key venues include:
- MGM National Harbor (Oxon Hill): 2,800+ slots, 140+ table games, 39 poker tables, resort amenities including theater and dining.
- Maryland Live! Casino & Hotel (Hanover): 4,000+ slots, 200+ table games, 52 poker tables, hotel and spa facilities.
- Horseshoe Casino Baltimore: 2,500+ slots, 100+ table games, 25 poker tables, WSOP-branded room.
- Hollywood Casino Perryville: 800+ slots, 13 table games, 8 poker tables, off-track betting.
- Rocky Gap Casino Resort (Flintstone): 600+ slots, 10 table games, golf course and state park integration.
- Ocean Downs Casino (Berlin): slots and table games, harness racing track.
No tribal casinos operate in Maryland. Video lottery terminals (slots) are also available at select racetracks. No state-authorized online casino access exists for residents.
Poker in Maryland
Live poker rooms operate at four major casinos: Maryland Live! (52 tables), MGM National Harbor (39 tables), Horseshoe Baltimore (25 tables), and Hollywood Perryville (8 tables). Games focus on No-Limit Hold’em cash and tournaments, with occasional Omaha variants. No regulated real-money online poker platforms are available. Offshore sites serve Maryland players unregulated, carrying legal ambiguity and risks. Social poker apps provide free-play alternatives.
Sports Betting Status
Sports betting remains illegal in Maryland, with no regulated retail or mobile options. Pari-mutuel horse racing thrives at Pimlico Race Course (Preakness Stakes host), Laurel Park, Rosecroft Raceway, and Timonium, with online wagering via TwinSpires and XpressBet. Greyhound racing is prohibited. Offshore sportsbooks accept Maryland residents without player enforcement actions reported.
Daily Fantasy Sports Availability
Daily Fantasy Sports operates legally, classified as skill-based following 2012 legislation. Major platforms including DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo Fantasy accept Maryland residents without restrictions or separate licensing requirements. Deposit limits and restrictions on certain college/amateur contests apply.
Maryland Lottery and Other Games
The Maryland Lottery offers draw games (Powerball, Mega Millions, Pick 3/Pick 4), scratch-offs, Keno, Racetrax (virtual horse racing), and fast-play options. Tickets sell exclusively through licensed retailers—no online purchases are authorized. Charitable bingo and raffles operate through nonprofits, with no commercial or online bingo permitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gambling options are available in Maryland?
Maryland provides six commercial casinos with slots, table games, and poker; pari-mutuel horse racing; regulated DFS; the state lottery; and charitable bingo. Online casinos, poker, and sports betting lack regulation.
Is real-money online gambling legal for players in Maryland?
Regulated real-money online gambling is limited to DFS; casinos, poker, and sports betting are prohibited. Offshore play occurs in a gray area with no individual player prosecutions reported, though it offers no state protections.
Which offshore sites accept Maryland residents?
Many offshore casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks welcome Maryland players, but participation involves unregulated risks regarding security, fairness, and dispute resolution.
Are there problem gambling resources in Maryland?
Yes, support is available through the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER), Maryland Council on Problem Gambling, and the Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling at the University of Maryland.