Maryland Casinos & Gambling Laws

Rachel Elam | January 20, 2020 | Updated on: November 28th, 2023

While Maryland casinos were legalized very late. The guideline was left up to the city governments before the pari-mutuel gambling went online in the early 20th Century. The state allows charities to offer bingo and some of the other games of chance. Maryland casinos only got approved in 2008. Resort casinos and some racetracks offer Atlantic City style gaming. We have compiled a guide for you to get to know everything Maryland Casinos. Read on

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Maryland Casino & Gambling

• Year Gambling was regulated in Maryland: Lottery (1972), Racing (1870), Bingo (1952), Casinos (2008)
• Tax Revenue from Gambling: $900 million
• Estimated Gaming Revenue: $2.8 billion
• Maryland legal Gambling Age: Bingo, racing, and lottery: 18 Casinos: 21

Maryland Online Gambling

There are two types of legal Maryland web gambling. Off-track horse racing is only allowed on apps and registered sites. Maryland wanted to authorize fantasy sports by the end of 2015, however, it was canceled by state legislation in 2016. The state accepted language in the federal Unlawful Online Gambling Enforcement Act that excuses fantasy sports.

Live Gambling in Maryland

Horse racing is the oldest type of Maryland gambling. There were six tracks in the state. There are now only two that offer planned races with pari-mutuel betting. They are Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course. Pimlico is also home to the Preakness race, which forms part of the Triple Crown. There are two kinds of gambling games of chance that are widely available in Maryland. Charities offer bingo and raffles. Bingo rules are generous. Raffles can only be operated twice per year. A state lottery sells lotto and scratch-off tickets.

There are five casinos in Maryland. They are Rocky Gap Casino, Hollywood Casino, Horseshoe Casino, Maryland Live! and also Ocean Downs. Maryland casinos offer the same games that can be found in New Jersey or in Nevada.

Popular Casinos Games

• Slots
• Blackjack
• Poker
• Craps/Roulette
• Horses
• Lottery

Gambling Law in Maryland

Maryland gambling laws are very strict for activities that are not legal. Possession of betting devices is illegal for Maryland residents. This applies to vessels that might go out into international waters. Charities should register with local authorities. Charitable games that are allowed are paddlewheels, raffles, wheel of fortune and bingo. Charities should hold no more than two raffles in a year. Maryland casinos are only allowed to operate if legalized via a local referendum. Each region can only have one gaming operation.

Maryland casinos offer a wide variety of casino games. These casino games include slots, live poker, video poker, craps, blackjack, roulette, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Four Card Poker, baccarat. There is a 67 percent tax rate on the slots. Horseracing is very legal in Maryland; however, Greyhound racing is not. Racetracks offer live racing and racebooks. Registered national racing companies accept bets over mobile apps and online in Maryland.

The state lottery is allowed to sell scratch-off tickets and to hold lotto draws. It may also participate in national lotto draws. Maryland is one of two states that legalized fantasy sports. The state had adopted the fantasy sports exemption in the Illegal online However, in 2016 this gaming law was canceled by the Maryland state legislature, making it illegal again.

Maryland Gambling History

Horse racing dates back to the mid-18th Century. The Maryland Jockey Club was established in 1743. Its first races were held at Pimlico Race Course. To date, it is still open and home to The Preakness, one of the three Triple Crown races. Racing became legal under state law in 1870. That is when pari-mutuel gambling pools were created in Maryland under the state racing commission. Regulation of the tracks was left to the state or city where the track was located till 1912 when the state took control.

Maryland then approved off-track gambling in 1988. Broadcasting of races was legal at the time when live racing was not on a track. In 1993, the state then expanded off-track gambling at any time the venue was open for business.

List of Maryland Casinos

More State Casinos Guides:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New York
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Rhodes Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee