Maryland Online Gambling
Our comprehensive free guide to Maryland online gambling with news, reviews of Maryland gambling sites, and the best of MD sportsbooks, online casinos, and poker rooms!
Looking for another state? Check out our guide about online gambling for US players.
5 Best Maryland Online Gambling Sites
We have reviewed and ranked the top online gambling sites in Maryland.
1.
- Fantastic Mobile App
- Stellar Rewards Program
- Enticing Deposit Bonus
- Very Fast Payouts
DraftKings is expected to be available for Maryland players in 2022. The site offers a vast variety of sports options along with a streamlined web and mobile user interface. The sportsbook also has attractive reload offers to keep its loyal clients happy. The customer support offered is some of the best we have seen in the business and can be contacted 24/7. Its VIP program is only limited to invites.
2.
- Variety Of Sporting Markets
- Feature-Rich Android & iOS Apps
- Initial Risk-Free Bet Offer
- Various Promotions and Offers
FanDuel is one of the most popular sportsbooks in the US, the FanDuel Sportsbook offers a vast variety of promotions for new and old players. The platform features a top-tier mobile application and website layout. The site also offers various types of bets, i.e., from point spreads to odds boosts. With FanDuel, players can bet on daily fantasy sports like NBA, NFL, MLB, and NCAA. In terms of customer support, the platform offers support via phone, email, and live chat. The site is not yet available for residents of Maryland although it is expected to launch sometime later this year.
3. (Coming Soon!)
- Neat iOS & Android Apps
- Welcome Risk-Free bets
- Big New Deposit Bonus
- In-Play Betting Available
Although BetMGM is not live in Maryland yet, we do expect it to launch this year. While simple, the platform is comprehensive and well-organized. The platform offers numerous betting options and benefits, most particularly for those who wish to join its loyalty program. Users also get weekly offers and daily odds boosts, along with opportunities to bet on their favorite sports in play. There is also a variety of sports available to bet on so you can branch out if you so wish.
4. PointsBet MD (Coming Soon!)
- Initial Risk-free Bets
- Variety of Betting Markets
- Smooth Mobile Apps
- PayPal Support
PointsBet is expected to launch in 2022. This site is best-known for offering its own PointsBetting sportsbook system as well as offering additional bonuses and unique bets that might interest the seasoned gambler. PointsBet also has a variety of betting markets so you should find something to your liking no matter what time of the day you log on to their site.
5. Caesars Sportsbook MD (Coming Soon!)
- Amazing Initial Bet Insurance Offer
- Stellar Rewards Program
- Vast Variety of Banking Options
- Streamlined User-Interface
Caesars Sportsbook is not yet available in Maryland but we expect to see them launch in 2022 since the sportsbook already has a presence in the state, i.e., its Horseshoe Casino Baltimore. The platform offers various betting options like point spreads, parlays, totals, and more. Users can also place bets with just a few cents. In terms of customer support, users can get in touch via phone calls, email, and Twitter DMs.
Legal Real Money Gambling In Maryland
Online gambling is not legal in the state of Maryland. However, local companies can run social gaming websites where gamblers can play table games, slots, interactive puzzle games, and tournaments. Such websites also have loyalty programs for ongoing players.
MD Online Casino
Online casino games have not been legalized in Maryland yet. This law applies to MD live dealer casinos, slots, poker sites, and table games. Naturally, MD casino apps are also not legal as of yet. However, we can expect lawmakers in Maryland to add online casinos to the state's gaming options at some point. For the time being, Maryland residents can play MD online slots, poker, and table games for free at sweepstakes casinos.
MD Online Sportsbooks
Online sports betting in MD has not been launched yet. The good news is that it is set to launch this year around the time football season starts. The state has a rich history in football, so it is no surprise that state officials are eager to see online sportsbooks arrive soon. Once it does, some of the best MD sports teams to bet on are , , and .
MD Horse Racing Betting
Home to the annual , along with many other top-tier racetracks, the state has a powerful horse racing betting industry. Parimutuel horse race betting is allowed at off-track betting locations, racetracks, and ADW providers on horse racing sites in Maryland. Maryland residents can also bet on horse racing via horse racing mobile apps licensed in the Free State.
MD Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports have legally been in operation since 2017. Before lawmakers stepped in to regulate the industry, the industry had been regulating itself. What sets Maryland apart from other states is that it does not have a licensing process or fee requirements for aspiring operators, provided they follow a set of conditions.
MD Online Poker
At this point, Maryland prohibits online poker. In terms of the best MD poker sites, locals and residents can play for free at sweepstakes casinos. There is hope that this will change in the future but there isn't anything significant in place at the moment that would give MD poker players much cause for optimism.
MD Lottery
Maryland is an exciting place to be for lottery lovers. They have many lottery game variations including , , , and many others. The state offers online lottery facilities (in subscription form only) as well. The is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing gambling in the state. It was formed in 1973. MLGCA also facilitates revenue for the state's local projects. Since its formation, the agency has managed to generate more than $16 billion for Maryland projects, with over $25 billion worth of player winnings.
How We Rank Gambling Sites In Maryland
The process we use to discover, rank and review the best online gambling sites for Maryland players is simple. We consider the key criteria that truly matter and sprinkle some nice-to-have features.
Generous Bonuses
Every well-respected gambling site should have a nice lucrative bonus designed to bring in more players to the site. Some bonuses at first glance may appear to be wonderful but please check the small print to see if they are as good as they initially might seem. For sportsbooks, you are likely to receive some cash bonus free bets based on the amount you have deposited.
Customer Support
Nobody wants to contact customer support but it is good to know that we have it as an option if we need it. Small problems might occur or you might be wondering if a particular promotion would apply to you. Instead of waiting for a few hours to get a response, we like our sportsbooks to have live chat around the clock. Therefore, whatever time you are placing a bet it is good to consider that someone will be able to help you if you have any queries. The quality of the support is also important. We require knowledgeable staff that treats their players with kindness and respect.
Mobile App
Once again, a bookmaker without an app leaves us wondering how serious they are about their online gaming business. Some sites have apps but they are token and are frustrating to use and could simply be described as an addition to the site. In our opinion, the app should be as functional as the site, and for the sites above we find this to be the case.
Odds & Fairness
A site could have everything going for it but if the odds you are receiving are not fair and competitive then you cannot consider them to be an option. This is because you would not be getting maximum value from the betting selections you make. The sites we recommend all offer competitive odds. You also want great bet builders for prop bets, parlays, and teasers.
License & Safety
On this site, we are only interested in recommending sites that hold all the appropriate licensing. If a site doesn't hold this then your privacy and safety might be compromised. The gambling industry is a lucrative business and there will be lots of sites out there looking to bring in new clientele. We suggest that you stick to the sites we recommend as they have all been vetted and whatever happens we know we can trust these sites.
Payment Methods
Some sites can be very restricted in how you can deposit and withdraw money. In our opinion, this process should be simple and there should also be more than a few options for you to deposit money. Electronic wallets have become a secure way for many to deposit money and some might even want to make wire transfers for example. All of the best sportsbooks in the USA should offer a wide range of payment methods.
Reputation
Like any good business, a gaming site's reputation is the most important thing they should consider. We research every site we recommend meticulously. There are lots of betting sites that come with lots of horror stories. It is pretty easy for us to pick up on what sites we can trust and which we can't. If they have all the features we are looking for we then start looking for weaknesses in their product. If we find none then we are all too happy to recommend them to you guys.
Game Selection
Today, we don't expect the bookmakers to have a lot of restrictions on the types of sports and markets you can bet on. The days are gone when you can only bet on the outcome of a match. Maybe you want to place a bet on a quiet Tuesday afternoon, a site that covers almost everything will have something to keep you entertained. If a site's options leave us feeling underwhelmed we would not recommend them.
How To Start Gambling In Maryland
Whilst it really is not rocket science to get started with placing a few bets on a website or an app, there are a few steps you really need to go through to avoid costly mistakes down the line.
Select a legal site
You may have seen many of the best online sportsbooks or casinos in Maryland through our guide. Choosing a good app is integral since you want your experience to be tailored to your gambling preferences.
Many websites have different things that might draw you towards them, some have great bonuses while others offer more variety in their markets. At the end of the day, choose the platform and brand that resonates with you the most.
Check to see what bonus you will be receiving
Many gambling sites appear to offer attractive bonuses only for you to have to wager this bonus multiple times before you can withdraw actual cash. This is why we recommend that you go through the terms and conditions of all the promotions you sign up for. You could even get in touch with the sites' customer service, just to be safe. You want to make sure that if you do everything correctly that you will get your bonus issued.
Create your account
During the signing up process, you will be asked to provide information such as your name, date of birth, and your phone number. You will also have to offer identification to prove that you are a legal citizen, e.g., your passport, driver's license, or proof of address. Make sure all the information you enter is correct as this will cause you issues somewhere down the line.
Deposit real money onto the site
Once you have been verified by the site you will then be allowed to deposit money onto the betting site. If you want to receive the welcome bonus you might have to enter a promo code or deposit a particular amount of money.
Place your bets
The fun part! Before you place your bet there are a few things you should take into consideration. The odds of your selection and how much you are willing to stake. If you feel comfortable with both of these things then you have passed the criteria needed to make your first bet. Please remember that although winning feels great you should only use gambling as a fun experience.
Withdraw your winnings
Hopefully, you have bossed the betting game, and you are left with a nice sum of cash in your balance. If this is the case please do not hesitate and withdraw this money straight back into your bank account. Waiting times will vary but in most cases, the money should be landing in your account within three working days.
Deposits & Withdrawals
No matter what state, all betting platforms must offer a great diversity of trusted banking options to make deposits and withdrawals convenient for players.
The banking methods for sports betting in Maryland are vast and include:
- Debit & Credit Cards - Paying through debit/credit cards is fast, safe, and reliable. Most platforms in Maryland offer this method.
- PlayPlus - Relatively new compared to other banking options in the sports betting industry but many players use this method if they don't feel comfortable giving their card information to a site.
- PaySafeCard - A prepaid card many partnered retail stores offer in the state. This method is also safe and easy to use and is once again good for those who don't want to deposit money with their card.
- Trustly - Trustly's PayWithMyBank is a very secure portal if you want to avoid revealing your checking account number.
- ACH - Automatic Clearing House is a digital network that processes transactions. A great option if you do not have access to a debit card.
- Digital Wallets - Digital wallets such as PayPal and Skrill offer a sense of familiarity. They are safe to use, and most of them do not impose transaction charges. Examples of digital wallets include PayPal, PayNearMe, Skrill, etc.
Legal Gambling Bonuses In MD
When gambling you will be made very aware that almost every gaming site offers some form of promotion. The quality of these gambling promotions will differ drastically but they all have the goal of enticing new players to their casino and keeping the players they have satisfied.
Here are the most common types of promotions that you are likely to come across in Maryland.
MD Sign Up Bonus
New deposit bonuses often take the form of welcome bonuses, and the most popular type of these is a deposit match bonus. A deposit match bonus matches the amount of your initial deposit, therefore doubling your account balance. It is also common for online casinos to offer their new players free bets when they have wagered a specific amount (see "wagering requirements").
MD No-Deposit Bonus
No-deposit bonuses do not require any deposits for you to acquire them, however, they do come with wagering requirements. The bonuses are normally small but they cost nothing so they are certainly worth checking out. They are best utilized by selecting a bet with high odds.
MD Free Bets
Risk-free bets are one of the most common bonus types amongst online operators. They either come as welcome or ongoing bonuses. These bets allow players to place a single bet without any risk. With such an offer, players can try placing higher stake bets with longer odds. If the outcome is not favorable, they do not lose anything.
MD Reload Bonus
Reload bonuses add value for existing users. You cannot access these through a bonus code. Instead, casino operators apply them to boost an amount deposited by a player in their gambling account, sometimes by 100%. Operators often use these to incentivize increased participation, especially when a major sports event is drawing near.
MD Odds Boost
With boosted odds, you will be getting improved odds if your selection wins. For example from a $10 stake, you might stand to win $120 if your selection is victorious. With an odds boost, this amount could go up to $150 for example. Such special odds are generally offered for specific games and events.
Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs are best for players who bet on a regular basis. These often feature reward tiers or points that unlock special features such as exclusive bonuses and quicker withdrawals. Although loyalty programs are worth the investment for high-rollers, they are only beneficial if players intend to wager a lot of money on one particular site. Players who spend copious amounts will be unlikely to capitalize much from a VIP program.
MD Gambling Laws
In the United States, each state has its own legal framework in regard to retail and online gambling. Let's review what Maryland's gambling laws look like.
| Game | Land-Based | Online | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casino | There is a total of 15 legal land-based casinos in Maryland. | Online casinos are not legal in the state of Maryland. | Online gambling is illegal in Maryland and this extends to mobile casino apps. |
| Sports Betting | Sports betting was . The first retail sportsbook opened in December 2021. | in November 2020 and state legislators passed bills facilitating wagering in April 2021. As of now, there are only a few places that Maryland residents can bet online. | The launch of mobile sports betting in Maryland still does not have a clear timeline. First, online sports betting will have to be in full operation and then this will hopefully be extended to mobile use. |
| Horse Racing | Overseen by the , land-based horse racing betting is legal (as of 2020). | Horse racing betting online is illegal in Maryland. | Mobile horse racing betting has not been legalized in Maryland yet. |
| Poker | There are fully-functional casinos in six Maryland counties, all of which offer all types of gambling, including table games like poker. | Online poker sites are illegal in Maryland. | Mobile poker is illegal in the state. |
MD Gambling Regulators
The (MLGCA) is responsible for regulating and overseeing gambling in Maryland. The commission consists of a board of seven members appointed by the state governor, authorized by the Senate.
Gambling History of Maryland
Let's take a look at the landmark moments in the legal history of MD gambling.
1743-1791 - The Maryland Jockey Club
The was established in 1743. Later in 1791, the first form of legalized gambling took place in the state. That was when the state legalized lottery grants for public projects and churches.
1834 - Corruption
Corruption linked to lotteries in the state of Maryland . As a result, a vote surfaced which lead to new licenses not being granted.
1920-1943 - Birth of The Horse Racing Regulatory Board
The was formed in the state in 1920. Later in 1943, a local options bill allowed licenses for slot machines to be installed in multiple counties.
1963-1973 - Ban On Slot Machines
A law to stop the renewal of licenses for slot machines was passed. The last slot machine license expired in 1968. The state lottery saw its beginnings in 1973.
2008-2012 - Slot Machines Allowed
Slot machines were allowed to be kept in five private venues/casinos in 2008. In 2012, table games were legalized. Around this time, many casinos were established. Daily fantasy sports also became legal in 2012.
2019-2021 - Legalization of Sports Betting
In 2019, attempts to legalize sports betting via the state lottery were unsuccessful. Sports betting was finally legalized in April 2021, later that year in December.
Responsible Gambling in MD
Although gambling counts as a leisurely activity in moderation, too much of it can lead to gambling problems also referred to as . If such a thing happens, consider referring to specialized organizations that can guide you through finding practical solutions.
Below are some responsible gambling resources you can contact if you feel that your gambling behavior is not under control.
| Organization | Phone Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 800-426-2537 | offers 24/7 counseling to people with gambling addiction and their relatives | |
| 800-522-4700 | answers common questions about problem gambling and offers guidance | |
| 800-426-2537 | raises awareness about problem gambling and educates gamblers on treatments, training, preventative methods, and research available |
MD Gambling: FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about gambling in the Old Line State.
Is online gambling legal in Maryland?
Online gambling is not legal in Maryland yet. However, businesses within the state can run social gaming websites. Websites such as Live! allow gamblers to partake in free table games, slots, and tournaments.
What is the legal age for gambling in Maryland?
The legal age for gambling in Maryland is 21, this would apply for casinos, sports betting, and poker. 18-year-old individuals can participate in bingo, daily fantasy sports, the lottery, and horse racing betting. Always be prepared to show some form of identification when betting in Maryland as the authorities are very aware of the consequences of allowing an underage player to play in their facilities.
Who is regulating online gambling in Maryland?
The is a seven-member board that regulates gambling-related activities in the state. However, online gambling is not legal in Maryland yet.
What casinos currently operate in Maryland?
Maryland is home to a few well-known casinos. The most noted ones all have good reputations and include the , , , , , and the .
Should I wager on offshore gambling sites from Maryland?
On this site, we would never recommend such practices. Offshore gambling is not legal and you have no guarantees that your information or potential winnings are safe. Please stick to betting on sites that are legal in your state.
Is it safe to use MD gambling sites?
Yes, we would only ever suggest sites that are legal to use. These sites have excellent track records and you can be assured that your money is safe with them. If you stick to the sites we recommend, that have official licensing then you will not run into any issues.
How are MD casino winnings taxed?
Based on the , casino winnings worth more than $5,000 incur taxes (for both state and federal income tax reasons). For residents, the tax rate is 8.75%, and for non-residents is 7%. Gamblers are still required to pay income taxes for winnings over $500.
When will online casinos be legal in Maryland?
Casinos are not yet expected to go live in the state due to a legal ban. However, online sportsbooks in the state are expected to go live later this year. Sports betting has now been made legal in the state and the Maryland gambling community is now anxiously waiting for more news.