Online Casino Gambling in Maryland
Published: | Updated:In 2008, Maryland started a new chapter by legalizing casino gambling through a voter-approved constitutional amendment. This move allowed the development and operation of commercial casinos in the state.
Plus, in Maryland, friendly poker games or other gambling activities in private settings are legal, thanks to the social gambling law.
Online casinos are not legal in Maryland, but progress is being made toward legalization. Until then, Maryland residents have access to other types of legal gambling.
Casino properties in Maryland
Several top-notch casinos in Maryland offer a unique blend of gambling, dining, and live performances. However, remember that you must be 21 years old to gamble in these establishments.
The MGM National Harbor
The MGM National Harbor, located just outside Washington, D.C., is one of the state’s most luxurious casino resorts. It’s packed with a wide array of slot machines, table games, and a poker room. Plus, you can experience fine dining, a spa, and live entertainment venues hosting shows and events.
The Live! Casino & Hotel
The Live! Casino & Hotel, located in Hanover, boasts a large gaming floor and numerous dining options. Attached to the Live! Hotel, it offers luxurious accommodations and amenities, making your stay memorable.
Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
In the heart of Baltimore, you’ll find the vibrant Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, offering various gaming options, dining experiences, and live events.
The Hollywood Casino
The Hollywood Casino in Perryville, the first casino to open in Maryland, offers various slots, table games, casual dining, and live entertainment.
Rocky Gap Casino Resort
Finally, the Rocky Gap Casino Resort, nestled near Cumberland in Western Maryland’s picturesque mountains, presents a serene gambling environment. Besides a casino, the resort features a hotel, restaurants, a spa, an outdoor theater, and a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Online Casino in Maryland
At the moment, internet casinos are not legal in Maryland. However, the state is making progress, and residents will be able to vote in 2024. Meanwhile, players can enjoy other types of legal gambling in Maryland.
Esports in Maryland
Esports, or competitive video gaming, has been growing in popularity worldwide, including in Maryland. The state has actively promoted and supported esports through various initiatives.
Many colleges and universities in Maryland have recognized the rising popularity of esports and established competitive gaming programs and teams. These collegiate esports teams participate in intercollegiate competitions, such as the Collegiate Starleague (CSL) and the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE).
Maryland hosts several esports tournaments and events throughout the year. These events bring together professional players, teams, and fans to compete in popular games such as League of Legends, Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and more. Tournaments take place at dedicated esports venues, convention centers, or college campuses.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in Maryland
In 2012, Maryland passed legislation to legalize DFS, allowing players to compete in online gaming related to various sports leagues, such as football, basketball, baseball, and hockey.
Since the legalization of DFS in Maryland, residents have had the opportunity to engage in online gaming. However, it is crucial for players to be aware of any specific regulations or restrictions that may apply and to play responsibly.
DFS operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel, among others, offer their services to Maryland residents. Players can participate in various sports leagues, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and more. Participants typically pay an entry fee and compete against other players to win cash prizes based on the performance of their selected athletes.
Betting on Horses in Maryland
Maryland has a long and rich tradition of horse racing, and betting on horses is legal and widely enjoyed in the state. Maryland is home to several renowned horse racing tracks where individuals can watch live races and place bets.
It’s important to note that the minimum age to participate in horse race betting in Maryland is typically 18 years old. However, it may vary depending on the specific venue or platform.
The Maryland Million is a prestigious annual horse racing event at Laurel Park. It features a series of races exclusively for Maryland-sired horses and showcases the state’s horse breeding industry. The event attracts significant betting activity and offers substantial prize money.
Lotteries in Maryland
The Maryland Lottery offers various options for lottery enthusiasts, including draw games, scratch-off tickets, and monitor games. You can choose numbers and win prizes based on matching the drawn numbers or try your luck at Keno or Racetrax, virtual horse racing games.
Here’s an overview of legal lotteries in Maryland:
Draw Games
The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games that allow players to select numbers and win prizes based on matching the drawn numbers. Some popular draw games include:
Mega Millions: A multi-state lottery game with enormous jackpots.
Powerball: Another multi-state lottery game known for its substantial jackpots.
Cash4Life: A daily drawing game with a top prize of $1,000 daily for life.
Bonus Match 5: A daily drawing game where players select five numbers from a field of 1 to 39.
These games typically have different prize structures and offer various ways to win, depending on the number of matching numbers.
Monitor Games
Besides drawing games and scratch-off tickets, the Maryland Lottery also offers monitor games. These games include Keno and Racetrax.
Keno: Keno is a lottery-style game where players choose numbers from a field of 1 to 80. The game draws numbers every few minutes, and players can win prizes based on the number of matches.
Racetrax: Racetrax is a virtual horse racing game where players select horses and their desired race outcome. The game uses a random number generator to simulate races, and players can win based on the horses they selected and the outcome of the virtual race.
Second-Chance Drawings
Maryland Lottery also conducts second-chance drawings, allowing players to enter non-winning tickets for a chance to win additional prizes. These promotions give players an extra opportunity to win, even if their initial ticket did not yield a prize.
Betting on Sports in Maryland
Online sports betting in Maryland launched in November of 2022. Players can now choose between a wide array of legal betting operators in the state.
Responsible Gambling in Maryland
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 two years or longer.
Maryland prioritizes responsible gambling and offers several resources for residents who might face gambling problems.
The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling (MCEPG), a part of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, is a primary resource. It connects individuals with counseling services, peer support groups, and educational materials about managing their gambling habits. All these services are free, including referrals to and treatment from counselors. The MCEPG is accessible via their website or phone line, 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), which is open 24/7.
Another similar organization dedicated to this cause is the Maryland Council on Problem Gambling (MCPG). As the state’s affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling, the MCPG can also link you with treatment providers. Additionally, they play a significant role in educating Marylanders about the realities of problem gambling and methods to combat it. They consistently advocate for all problem gamblers in the state.
Casino gambling was legalized in Maryland in 2008 following a constitutional amendment approved by the voters. Online casino is not legal yet.
Social gambling in Maryland refers to private games where no one profits from hosting or organizing the game.
There are five major casino properties in Maryland: MGM National Harbor, Live! Casino & Hotel, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Hollywood Casino Perryville, and Rocky Gap Casino Resort.
As of now, online casinos are not legal in Maryland, but the state is making progress towards legalization.
Esports, or competitive video gaming, is growing in popularity in Maryland, with many colleges and universities establishing competitive gaming programs and teams.
DFS in Maryland is a legal form of online gaming, where players can participate in various sports leagues and compete for cash prizes based on the performance of their selected athletes.
Yes, betting on horses is legal and popular in Maryland, home to several renowned horse racing tracks.
The Maryland Lottery offers draw games, scratch-off tickets, and monitor games like Keno and Racetrax.
Online sports betting in Maryland was launched in November 2022.
In Maryland, resources for responsible gambling include the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, the Maryland Council on Problem Gambling, and peer support groups like Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon.
The Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling, formed in 2010, provides resources and support for Maryland residents who may have a gambling problem.
Visitors must be at least 21 years old to gamble in Maryland casinos.
MGM National Harbor features a Las Vegas-style casino with a wide selection of slot machines, table games, and a poker room.
Live! Casino & Hotel also features multiple restaurants, bars, and entertainment options.
DFS was officially legalized in Maryland in 2012.
The minimum age to participate in horse race betting in Maryland is typically 18 years old.
The Maryland Million is a prestigious annual horse racing event at Laurel Park, featuring races exclusively for Maryland-sired horses.
The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games, including Mega Millions, Powerball, Cash4Life, and Bonus Match 5.
Keno is a lottery-style game offered by the Maryland Lottery where players choose numbers from a field of 1 to 80.
The voluntary exclusion program is a state-operated initiative in which Maryland players can choose to ban themselves from the state’s casinos or the Maryland lottery for two years or longer.
The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling provides free services including counseling, peer support groups, and educational resources about controlling gambling. They can be reached through their website, or you can reach them via call/text at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Their phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Maryland Council on Problem Gambling connects people with treatment providers, educates Marylanders about problem gambling, and advocates on behalf of all problem gamblers in the state.
Gamblers Anonymous and Gamtalk are two prominent peer support groups available for problem gamblers in Maryland.
Gam-Anon is a support group for families and friends of problem gamblers.
In Maryland, DFS operators offer games across various sports leagues, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and more.
Hollywood Casino Perryville was the first casino to open in Maryland.
Maryland promotes esports by hosting several esports tournaments and events throughout the year and by encouraging colleges and universities to establish competitive gaming programs and teams.
Popular games played in Maryland esports tournaments include League of Legends, Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and more.
By statute, gaming license revenue in Maryland helps defray operational costs for the state’s problem gambling hotline and supports aid to problem gambling in the state.
Racetrax is a virtual horse racing game where players select horses and their desired race outcome. A random number generator simulates races, and players can win based on the horses they selected and the outcome of the virtual race.
