Maryland statutes are fairly liberal when it comes to land based gambling. The state offers pari-mutuel horse race betting, charity gambling and state-controlled lotto games. Casino games such as slots, roulette, baccarat or blackjack are available exclusively in commercial gambling establishments due to the fact that Maryland doesn’t have any Indian-operated gambling venues. It’s worth pointing out that the local casino industry has been expanding at a rapid pace over the past few years, but unfortunately no iGaming-friendly regulations have been passed so far.
Online Gambling in Maryland
Maryland Code is rather unique when it comes to unlawful gambling, as the local regulations don’t discern between running an illegal gambling business and participating in an unlicensed game as a player. Placing a bet on the outcome of any games of chance is considered illegal unless the operator has been approved by the local authorities, but none of the relevant statutes refer specifically to online play. Despite the fact that no players have been prosecuted for playing on offshore sites so far, we definitely recommend contacting a lawyer before you join one of those gambling platforms due to the fact that the consequences of breaking the local gambling laws might get unreasonably severe.
Casinos & Sportsbooks Accepting Players From Maryland
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Casino Games
There are four major casinos located in Maryland and all of them are definitely worth giving them a try. Whether you opt to visit the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore or Maryland Live!, you’re pretty much guaranteed to enjoy the time that you spend playing various cutting-edge slots and table games. If you’d like to relive that experience from the comfort of your home, we recommend going for one of the Maryland-friendly online casinos listed here.
Sports Betting
If you want to engage in pari-mutuel horse race wagering in Maryland, the Laurel Park is going to be your best bet. Nevertheless, if all you care about are major American leagues like the NFL, NBA or the MLB, we believe that joining one of our Maryland-friendly sportsbooks is the only way to ensure that you’re going to get a complete sports betting package that combines amazing prices with extensive event coverage and interesting live in-play betting opportunities.
Poker
Playing poker in Maryland isn’t all that tricky, but many people prefer to hone their skills by playing countless hands online. Unlike live poker, the internet variant of the game is incredibly fast-paced and allows you to play on multiple tables at the same time. If you’d like to give it a try, we believe that you should stick with one of the networks listed below.
Online Gambling FAQ
Where can I find regulations that pertain to gambling in Maryland?
Every issue pertaining to games of chance is covered in Section 12 of Maryland Code.
What forms of gambling are legal and regulated within the borders of Maryland?
Maryland allows charitable gambling, pari-mutuel wagers, casino games and poker. The state operates its own lottery.
What is the legal status of online gambling in Maryland?
Maryland doesn’t discern between participating in illegal gambling activities as a player and as an operator. The state hasn’t made any attempts to prosecute online gamblers since the current regulations are unclear when it comes to determining the legal status of internet play. Extra caution is advised.
Do offshore gambling sites accept Maryland residents?
Yes, most offshore sites have nothing against accepting new Maryland-based customers.
How can I deposit to an offshore gambling site from Maryland?
You can use a debit card or a credit card. Visa and MasterCard are the most reliable brands when it comes to gambling-related banking.
How can I withdraw my money from an offshore iGaming site if I live in Maryland?
The default method is to request a wire transfer, but some players might be allowed to withdraw via a check delivered by a courier.
Is Maryland planning to regulate online gambling in the future?
Maryland lawmakers haven’t made up their mind yet, but it’s clear that some of them are interested in introducing this kind of legislation.
Gambling History – Interesting Facts
1. Maryland gambling expansion wasn’t slow and steady, it was a series of explosions. The first boom happened in the early 19th century, when the entire country was in love with playing games of chance for money.
2. In 1950s, some of the Maryland counties legalized slots for a short period of time.
3. Maryland lottery was launched in 1973.
4. The most recent vote to expand gambling in the state took place in 2012.
Maryland Gambling Resources
Annotated Code of Maryland:
http://lib.guides.umd.edu/content.php?pid=131120&sid=1126003
The Maryland Alliance For Responsible Gambling:
List of Casinos in Maryland:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_casinos_in_Maryland