Maryland gambling laws

Maryland gambling laws in one minute

Maryland runs a tightly licensed system. Gambling that the state approves goes through the MLGCA, whether it's a slot machine at Horseshoe Baltimore, a lottery ticket, a sports bet on a phone or a paid fantasy contest. Anything outside that list, including real-money online casino games, isn't authorized.

For the wider picture, including offshore options and help resources, start at our Maryland online casinos hub.

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency

One agency covers almost everything. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (opens in a new tab) runs the state lottery, licenses and audits the casinos, and licenses sports wagering and fantasy operators. That single-regulator setup is less common than you might think; our guide to state gambling regulators shows how other states split the job.

The agency's position on the internet is direct. Its legal vs. illegal online gaming page (opens in a new tab) says that, apart from licensed sports wagering and fantasy competitions, no other forms of real-money online or mobile gaming are operating legally in Maryland. It also lists the companies it has sent cease-and-desist letters to, noting that the list isn't complete.

Are online casinos legal under Maryland gambling laws?

No. Online slots, blackjack and roulette for real money have no license route in Maryland. A 2025 fiscal note from the Department of Legislative Services, attached to HB 1140 (opens in a new tab), indicates that expanding gaming to online casinos would require approval by voters in a referendum. That's the same path sports betting took in 2020.

Offshore casinos still accept Maryland players, and the MLGCA treats that activity as outside the law. It doesn't publish a statement that players will be prosecuted, and we don't suggest either way. What it means in practice is covered on our real money casinos in Maryland page: no state regulator to complain to, no state protection for balances, and terms written by the casino.

Some neighboring states take the other route. Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia all license online casinos, and our list of states with legal online casinos explains how those licenses work inside each state's borders.

Maryland's six casinos and the law that licenses them

Real-money casino games in Maryland happen at six commercial venues, all licensed by the MLGCA. The 2025 fiscal note lists them as:

• Hollywood Casino Perryville, in Cecil County
• Ocean Downs
• Live! Casino in Anne Arundel County
• Rocky Gap
• Horseshoe Baltimore, a short trip for players in Baltimore
• MGM National Harbor

The minimum casino age is 21, according to the American Gaming Association's 2026 State of the States report. Our sources record no tribal casinos in Maryland, so the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act plays little part here, unlike in states with tribal compacts.

Maryland sports betting law

Sports wagering became possible after the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban in Murphy v. NCAA in 2018. Maryland voters approved it by referendum under Chapter 492 of 2020, and Chapter 356 of 2021 set out the licensing system.

The MLGCA lists 12 licensed online and mobile sports wagering operators, plus retail sportsbooks. A third-party report gives the online launch as November 23 without stating the year, so we don't quote one. For the rules on how and where you can bet, see our page on Maryland sports betting.

Fantasy contests and the Maryland Lottery

Paid daily fantasy contests are legal in Maryland, and the MLGCA lists 11 registered online fantasy competition operators. Our overview of daily fantasy sports laws compares Maryland's registration model with other states.

That same agency runs the Maryland Lottery. Whether tickets can be bought online isn't covered in our sources, so check the lottery's own site. The minimum ages for lottery play and sports betting weren't confirmed in our sources either; see our gambling age by state table for the latest we have.

Sweepstakes casinos and Maryland gambling laws

Maryland hasn't passed a sweepstakes casino ban. A third-party bill tracker records that HB 1140 in 2025 proposed one but wasn't enacted, and that 2026 bills HB 1226, HB 295 and SB 652 also didn't pass.

The regulator has acted anyway. The MLGCA sent cease-and-desist letters to Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots on November 18, 2025, and lists Stake.us among the recipients too. Those letters show the agency views dual-currency sweepstakes casinos as unauthorized gaming, ban or no ban. Our page on sweepstakes casinos in Maryland goes into detail, and sweepstakes casino laws compares states.

MLGCA cease-and-desist letters

The agency's published list gives a sense of what it considers unauthorized. It's not comprehensive, and it covers prediction markets and skill-gaming apps as well as casinos.

None of our partner casinos appears on that list as recorded. That doesn't make them authorized in Maryland; the agency says the list is incomplete. Our explainer on cease-and-desist letters covers what these letters do, and prediction markets explains the Kalshi dispute.

Penalties and the federal laws that apply in Maryland

The specific Maryland criminal statutes and penalties for illegal gambling aren't summarized on the MLGCA page we rely on, so we don't quote them here. If you need the exact wording, check the Maryland Code or ask a Maryland lawyer.

Federal law sits on top of state law and mostly targets operators, not players:

• The Illegal Gambling Business Act makes it a federal crime to run a gambling business that breaks state law, involves five or more people and runs for more than 30 days or takes $2,000 in a day, with up to five years in prison.
• UIGEA bars gambling businesses from accepting cards, transfers and checks for unlawful internet gambling under 31 U.S.C. § 5363 (opens in a new tab). It doesn't make placing a bet a federal crime for the player.
• The Wire Act applies to sports betting, according to the First Circuit's 2021 ruling, and reaches people in the business of betting.

Recent Maryland gambling bills and events

No online casino bill had passed by October 2026. If one does, it would still need voters to approve it, according to the fiscal note, so any change would take time.

Gambling taxes for Maryland players

Winnings are taxable federal income, from a casino in Baltimore or an offshore site alike. For payments made in 2026, casinos report slot, keno and bingo wins of $2,000 or more on Form W-2G. From tax year 2026 the loss deduction is reported to be capped at 90% of losses, and only up to winnings; check IRS guidance.

Our gambling taxes overview explains the federal rules. Maryland's own income tax treatment of winnings isn't covered in our sources, so check with the state comptroller or a tax professional.

What Maryland gambling laws mean for you: a checklist

1. Use MLGCA-licensed options if you want state protection: the six casinos, licensed sportsbooks, registered fantasy sites and the lottery.
2. Know that any real-money online casino accepting you from Maryland is outside the state's licensing system.
3. Check the MLGCA's cease-and-desist list before signing up with any online gaming brand.
4. If you use an offshore site, read its terms on withdrawals, caps and disputes first, since no Maryland agency can help.
5. Keep records of wins and losses for your taxes.
6. Set a budget before you play, and use deposit limits or blocking tools if gambling stops being fun.

Problem gambling help in Maryland

The Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling (opens in a new tab) is the state program the MLGCA points to. Nationally, the National Problem Gambling Helpline is 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738), by call or text, with chat through NCPG's help and treatment page (opens in a new tab). Gamblers Anonymous runs meetings, and Gamban and BetBlocker can block gambling sites on your devices.

Offshore casino offers shown to Maryland readers

We show these offers alongside the law because many Maryland readers look for them. Both casinos are offshore, neither is licensed by Maryland or any other US state, and the MLGCA says real-money online casino gaming isn't operating legally in Maryland. Read the law above and decide for yourself. Offers are for new players aged 21+ (18+ where allowed), and terms apply. We earn a commission, and the order is commercial.

Royal Ace Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 35 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Third-party reviews disagree: casino.guru lists 250% up to $2,500 plus 35 spins without wagering, while LCB.org lists 200% up to $4,000 at 30x (bonus + deposit) on slots, 60x on blackjack and video poker, with a max cashout of 10 times the deposit. Reviewers also report slow payouts and weekly caps of $2,500.

Slot Madness Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 50 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). LCB.org reports a 275% match up to $2,750 with a $30 minimum deposit, 30x (bonus + deposit) on slots and no max cashout. The Michigan Gaming Control Board named Slot Madness in a cease-and-desist action on August 14, 2025.

We don't show Decode on Maryland pages because third-party reviews report that it refuses Maryland players. Bonuses are slot-focused, and table games are often excluded or weighted lower. Check the terms shown at sign-up, and see our Maryland casino bonuses page for how wagering works.

21+ (18+ where allowed). Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: responsible gambling tools and free help. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).