Maryland Online Casinos: Is Online Gambling Legal in Maryland?

Are Online Casinos Legal in Maryland?

No, online casinos that involve real money are not yet legal in Maryland. However, legislation has been introduced to allow for a referendum on the November 2024 general election ballot. If bill SB603 is approved by voters, Maryland online casino games would be allowed.

While you wait for real money Maryland online casinos to launch, you can get your fix at free online casinos and sweepstakes casino sites. You still can enjoy the same great games you’ll find at real money online casinos but the difference is you’ll never lose a dime of real money. In fact, with the sweepstakes casino model, you’ll even have a shot at winning cash prizes. Rest assured, just as you can claim a Maryland betting promo, you will be able to claim a casino promotion when Maryland online casinos launch. 

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Maryland Online Casinos Legislation Timeline

There have been many twists and turns in the failed legalization of Maryland online casinos. Below, we recap the legislation timeline.

• 📅 March 21, 2024: Many locals continue to push for the legalization of iGaming, including a report that claims legalizing it would help, not hurt, existing Maryland casinos.
• 📅 March 18, 2024: The MD iGaming bill passed in the House of Representatives. Now, we must wait to see if it will pass in the senate. This article breaks down the chances of it happening.
• 📅 March 13, 2024: The Maryland iGaming bill is amended by a subcommittee as a key deadline for November voters nears.
• 📅 April 10, 2023: Maryland state lawmakers passed many new laws, however, a bill to legalize iGaming in the state did not pass. Those hoping for MD online casinos in 2023 will have to wait another year.

Will Maryland Online Casinos Offer Bonus Codes?

In the event Maryland online casinos will launch, you can expect every operator to offer bonus codes to attract new players. Register your account, make a first deposit, then enter a casino bonus code in the box provided. You’ll be able to claim a welcome bonus including a deposit match and free spins to use on the biggest games in town.

Best Maryland Online Casino Offers

Gamblers will have access to some of the best Maryland online casino offers. It's possible to make your online casino gambling go further with a well-timed promotion. Start with a welcome bonus and free spins, then use your winnings to opt in to big-money promotions such as slots tournaments or loyalty schemes.

A welcome bonus is the most common online casino promotion offered. You’ll need to register your account and make a first deposit to take advantage. The casino will credit your online gambling account with funds equal to your deposit.

You’re then free to use your funds on eligible games such as roulette, blackjack or video slots. As long as you meet the playthrough wagering requirements, you can withdraw your winnings plus any free cash awarded by the online casino.

Maryland casinos will also run a full calendar of limited and year-long promotions. Follow up your welcome bonus with a reload bonus or earn free cash by referring a friend to the casino site. You can also join a loyalty program and earn regular benefits such as cashback on losing sessions, bonus spins or holidays.

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Most Popular Maryland Online Casino Games

Maryland online casinos should offer a healthy selection of games to play for free or real money. We suspect you'll need to meet the legal Maryland online gambling age of 21 in order to play.

Many games will resemble those you’ll find in your nearest brick-and-mortar casino. However, you’ll be able to enjoy Maryland onlin casino gambling at home with higher RTPs (Return to Player percentages) and a wider range of stakes.

Online Slots

Slots are the biggest draw at online casinos. Of the hundreds of casino games on offer, online slot machines will take up the largest share. Choose from penny slots and classic games or go for branded slots that feature exciting bonuses such as free spins.

Under Maryland gambling law, online slot providers will have to be properly licensed and regulated by the state’s gaming commission. That means you can spin in comfort with the knowledge that every game is fair and transparent.

Progressive Slots

The beauty of casino gambling is that you have a chance of winning real money. Progressive slots, meanwhile, give you the opportunity to win serious life-changing sums of cash.

In a progressive slot, a small percentage of each bet contributes toward a bigger jackpot. The jackpot increases with every contributing wager. It only falls when a player triggers a bonus game or activates the jackpot at random.

The longer a progressive jackpot goes unclaimed, the bigger it can get. Some of the largest jackpots won at online casinos have easily reached six and seven figures.

Online Poker

The current rules for Maryland online gambling don’t cover poker sites. However, if casino gambling is legalized, you can bet your bottom dollar that online poker will be too.

Hit the online tables to play Texas Hold’em or Omaha in a variety of cash games and tournaments. It’s just like playing at the MGM Harbor, but you never have to leave your own home!

In addition to cash games to suit your budget, you’ll also be able to jump into online satellites where you can secure your spot into the World Series of Poker and other huge live tournaments.

Online Blackjack

Online gambling isn’t all about slots; you can also play great games such as blackjack. It’s just against the dealer as you try to reach 21 without going bust. Blackjack is easy to learn and offers Maryland residents an excellent house edge at the casino.

In addition, top online casinos should offer a range of interesting blackjack variants, such as classic blackjack, Atlantic City Blackjack with the surrender option, and Perfect Pairs with fun side bets.

Online casino blackjack variants:

• Classic Blackjack
• Atlantic City Blackjack
• Live blackjack
• Multihand Blackjack
• Super Fun 21
• Zappit Blackjack

Online Roulette

Online roulette is one of the easiest casino games to learn and play. Plus, you’ll be able to gamble online at stakes much lower than you’ll find at the Horseshoe or Riverboat on the Potomac.

In online casino roulette, you bet on numbers from a choice of 38. You can also bet on colors or groups of numbers. Once bets have been placed, the roulette wheel spins and comes to a stop at random. The whole process is computerized and governed by a random number generator (RNG).

Maryland online casinos will offer a range of different game flavors, including American Roulette and French Roulette. That’s something you just won’t find in your local Maryland casino. Plus, the benefit of European Roulette and French Roulette is that they boast a smaller house edge than traditional American Roulette.

Popular online roulette games:

• American Roulette
• European Roulette
• French Roulette
• 100/1 Roulette
• Live Dealer Roulette
• Bonus Roulette

Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games are unique to online casinos. Play one-on-one against a human croupier beamed in live via webcam. You place your bets in the normal way using your keyboard and computer. However, every card dealt and roulette wheel spun is 100% real!

Every good online casino in the US now offers a host of live dealer games including baccarat, blackjack, and roulette. You can also bet on a prize wheel in games such as Dream Catcher and win big cash prizes.

Popular live dealer casino games:

• Live roulette
• Live blackjack
• Live baccarat
• Lightning Roulette
• Dream Catcher
• Live Three Card Poker
• Live Sic Bo

Other Online Casino Games

Once Maryland online casino sites are finally active, you’ll likely have access to some alternative games such as keno and bingo.

Online keno works just like your favorite games at Rocky Gap or the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore. Choose your numbers and win money if you match the numbers drawn out at random.

Every legit online casino in the US also provides video poker games from leading manufacturers such as IGT. It’s just like playing your favorite 5-card draw machines in the casino but you never have to leave home! Choose from Deuces Wild where twos act like jokers and boost your coin bets to have a shot at the biggest jackpot.

Land-Based Maryland Casinos List

Maryland casinos were legalized back in 2008. There are just six casinos operating across the state, plus one riverboat casino on the Potomac River.

All casinos offer a spread of video slot machines, table games and poker. Some casinos also offer sanctioned gambling on horse racing outside a race track and sell tickets for Maryland Lottery drawings.

While the variety and game selection doesn't quite match Las Vegas, Maryland still has plenty to offer. Most brick-and-mortar casinos or land-based gambling operations have poker rooms. Here are Maryland's six casinos with a fixed location plus the riverboat casino.

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Rocky Gap Casino Resort

Rocky Gap is one of Maryland’s smaller casinos. However, you couldn’t find a nicer surrounding in the shape of the Rocky Gap State Park. As for casino gambling, Rocky Gap offers over 600 slot machines with stakes up to $25. You can also purchase Maryland Lottery tickets and join the True Rewards Players Club to earn comps and cashback.

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore

Maryland residents have been flocking to the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore since it opened in 2014.

It’s operated by Caesars Entertainment, one of the largest gambling chains in the US. Inevitably, then, you can find over 2,200 slot machines plus video poker and table games. Horseshoe Casino was also home to the winner of Caesars’ biggest-ever slot tournament when one lucky Maryland gambler took away $500,000 in 2021.

Hollywood Casino Perryville

The Hollywood Casino Perryville is the second-biggest gambling resort in Maryland. Hollywood Casinos are operated by Penn National Gambling, one of America’s largest sports betting providers. No wonder, then, that Hollywood Casino has one of the best off-track betting (OTB) parlors around.

Hollywood Casino Perryville also spreads 800+ slots, including high-limit games, plus table games including 3-card poker, craps, blackjack and roulette.

Live! Casino-Hotel Maryland

Live! Casino in Hanover forms part of a chain of casinos that also includes locations in Pennsylvania. Live! Casino & Hotel has won multiple awards for its casino, and for good reason: you can play table games, slots, and poker tournaments. Plus, the Live! Rewards Club gives you the chance to rack up points every time you play.

The casino boasts Maryland’s largest gaming floor. You can try your hand at 4,000 video slots plus 200+ table games such as American Roulette, blackjack and craps. You can even have a chance of winning one of five different progressive jackpots with the STAX Super 4 Blackjack bet.

Plus, Live! Casino-Hotel provides some of Maryland’s best progressive slots. The casino boasts a million-dollar machine, but you can also take a shot at bagging the $100,000 Giant Jackpot or $10,000 Junior Jackpot.

Live! Casino-Hotel also runs its own online social casino where you can play slots and table games absolutely free. Join the tables and earn credits or join a promotion to bag even more free-play credits.

MGM National Harbor

Every state with casinos has at least one MGM casino. The MGM National Harbor is one of the best casinos for Maryland residents and offers restaurants and top-class entertainment alongside its casino gambling.

At MGM National Harbor, you can take your pick of hundreds of video slots and progressives, plus table games such as blackjack, craps and roulette. The casino was also North America’s first to offer Quartz Hybrid Electronic Table games. These give players the opportunity to play multiple table games at once.

Ocean Downs

Ocean Downs started out as a race course before introducing table games and slots following the relaxation of Maryland gambling laws. Ocean Downs now boasts a complete blend of pari-mutuel betting at the track, slots and table games. Slots denominations range from 1 cent to $25, and there are over 850 games to choose from.

As for table games, Ocean Downs boasts the full range of casino action including blackjack, roulette and craps. You can even try Players Edge 21, a blackjack variation with bonus prizes for a 7-7-7 blackjack.

You can even join the Club Ocean reward program where you can redeem points for cash. Club Ocean players can also receive free play or cash awards via email.

Riverboat on the Potomac

The Riverboat on the Potomac is Maryland’s only riverboat casino. Opened in 1992, The Riverboat on the Potomac initially offered keno and lottery tickets, before branching out into off-track betting. The casino was annihilated by Hurricane Isabel and rebuilt from the paddles up.

Responsible Gambling at Maryland Online Casinos

Casino sites will practice a solid approach to responsible Maryland online gambling in line with state regulations. Whether you play casino games, online slots or poker, you’ll have access to resources where you can get help.

The Maryland Problem Gambling Helpline should be your first port of call. They provide phone support and can refer you to a counselor if you need more help. The organization also holds information on setting up or attending meetings.

In addition, you can get a free assessment for problem gambling and treatment via the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling if you’re a state resident. Contact them on 667-214-2120 or text 1-800-GAMBLER.

Legal online gambling sites will also provide a range of tools for you to keep tabs on your activity. Set up reality checks to gauge your time spent gambling online, or program deposit limits and playing session times. You can also request a period of self-exclusion from online betting.

Author

Editorial Staff

@BetMDdotcom

The veteran team of Maryland sports betting experts behind BetMaryland.com.