Updated on: January 3rd, 2025
Maryland is one of the best gambling destinations on the Eastern Coast. You can practically engage in any form of wagering you like, including casino games, pari-mutuel betting, lottery games, and charitable gambling games. They also recently approved sports betting.
Unlike in some of the surrounding states, casinos in Maryland are within its jurisdiction and not on Native American reservations. So, the state is very friendly to people looking to engage in gambling activities.
If you would like to find out more about gambling in Maryland, stick around. Below we go through all you need to know about gambling in the Old Line State and even list the top 10 online casinos.
Gambling Laws in Maryland
Gambling in Maryland is legal. The state is one of the most unrestricted on the Eastern Coast when it comes to gambling. There are land-based casinos in Maryland – not in the reservations in the state. There are no tribal casinos because no tribes in Maryland have attempted to enter into agreements with the state.
One thing to note is that you will not find any slot machines in the state. Rather MD casinos offer video lottery terminals.
These games function similarly to slots but offer lottery-style games, such as bingo, keno, and scratch cards. Often, tons of players compete for the same prize at the same time. Aside from video lottery games, you can also play table games.
The state also recently approved expanding gambling services to include sports betting options. Although there aren’t any areas that allow you to bets on sports, the state is working towards launching its sports betting industry soon.
This should come as no surprise as the state already allows for pari-mutuel betting. It is also home to the “second jewel of the Triple Crown” – the Preakness Stakes, which draws thousands of wagers each year.
Some of the other legal gambling options in Maryland include:
- State lottery
- Daily fantasy sports
- Charitable games
Online Gambling in Maryland
Like many other states in the US, online gambling has not been declared legal or illegal in Maryland’s Annotated Code. This is important because Maryland acknowledges forms of land-based gambling and provides operating procedures for it.
In such situations, it is possible to gamble online simply because it hasn’t been declared illegal. You will not get into trouble for signing up to an offshore online casino that accepts Maryland players because you aren’t breaking any rules.
If you choose to gamble at an offshore online casino, we suggest ensuring that the casino you choose is safe to use. Casinos that are safe to use are licensed, use tried and trusted security procedures, and offer fair games.
Land-Based Casinos in Maryland
As mentioned above, there are casinos in Maryland. In total, six venues are considered traditional casinos. Aside from these casinos, there are also racetracks and other establishments where you can gamble. Here is a good list of options:
| Venue | Address | Number |
| Fair Hill Races | 402 Fair Hill Dr, Elkton, MD 21921 | (410) 398-2578 |
| Greenmount Station | 1631 N Main St #4, Hampstead, MD 21074 | (410) 239-0063 |
| Hollywood Casino Perryville | 1201 Chesapeake Overlook Pkwy, Perryville, MD 21903 | (410) 378-8500 |
| Horseshoe Baltimore Casino | 1525 Russell St, Baltimore, MD 21230 | (844) 777-7463 |
| Laurel Park | 198 Laurel Race Track Rd, Laurel, MD 20725 | (301) 725-0400 |
| Live! Casino Hotel Maryland | 7002 Arundel Mills Cir, Hanover, MD 21076 | (443) 842-7000 |
| Long Shot’s | 5400 Holiday Dr, Frederick, MD 21703 | (301) 694-7507 |
| MGM National Harbor | 101 MGM National Ave, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 | (844) 646-6847 |
| Ocean Downs Casino | 10218 Racetrack Rd, Berlin, MD 21811 | (410) 641-0600 |
| Pimlico Race Course | 5201 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215 | (410) 542-9400 |
| Rocky Gap Casino | 16701 Lakeview Rd NE, Flintstone, MD 21530 | (301) 784-8400 |
| Rosecroft Raceway | 6336 Rosecroft Dr, Fort Washington, MD 20744 | (301) 567-4500 |
Casinos in MD – FAQs
Yes, gambling is legal in Maryland. The state has many land-based casinos and racetracks, including Pimlico Race Course, which hosts the Preakness Stakes every year.
Yes, you can gamble online in Maryland. Online gambling is not explicitly illegal or legal in the state. This means you cannot be prosecuted for gambling online because there is no law to break.
The legal gambling age in Maryland is 21 if you are looking to visit casinos and bet on sports. It is 18 if you want to play the lottery and bingo games.
The largest casino in Maryland is the MGM National Harbor. It continually adds to its services to remain competitive with all the new casinos popping up on the Eastern Coast.
The answer to this question is debatable because everyone has their own favorite casino. In our opinion, Horseshoe Casino provides visitors with a strong online gambling experience filled with opportunities to win big.
Casino gambling became legal in Maryland in November 2008. Casinos operate under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Lottery. Before this, the only form of legal gambling was charitable gambling. In 1973, the lottery was established.
Maryland sports betting bill was approved in 2021.
Although sports betting is already legal in Maryland, the state has yet to roll out its plan of action for statewide sportsbooks.
Yes, you can use MyBookie’s services in Maryland.
