Real money online casinos in Maryland are not available yet, but in recent years, the Old Line State has made multiple positive adjustments, allowing retail and online sports betting in 2021.
Considering that MD shares borders with multiple states where online casinos are legal, it makes sense for lawmakers to legalize online casinos and hold onto the gambling revenue. Currently, online casinos from Maryland are easily accessible in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware, or with a short drive, New Jersey.
Players seeking online casinos in Maryland without having to wager real money can also join sweepstakes and social online casinos, which are legal in the state.
In our guide to online casinos in Maryland, we’ll look at how to play your favorite games without breaking the law or joining unregulated online sites. We highly recommend playing at licensed casinos to avoid unfair games and unreliable security and always receive your withdrawals.
Are Online Casinos in Maryland Legal?
Online casinos in Maryland are illegal, but the state is moving towards more online gambling opportunities. In 2021, in-person and online betting was legalized, representing a major step forward to introduce MD online casinos in the future.
Are any Types of Online Casinos Legal in Maryland?
To play MD online casino games, the only legal option is sweepstakes online casinos. These provide more than just “social gaming” as you can collect sweep coins and redeem them for real money cash prizes.
Since sweepstake online casinos in Maryland do not use real money on games, they are not considered online gambling (wagering real money on games of chance). Therefore, you can choose from a wide range of legal sites, which we discuss in more detail later in our guide to online casinos in Maryland.
When Will Maryland Legalize Online Casinos?
Even though Maryland online casinos are not legalized yet, the state is under pressure to put the subject up for a vote. In November 2024, legislation to legalize MD online casinos will form part of the referendum, which could lead to the approval of bill SB603.
Since online brands such as BetMGM, PlayLive!, and Ocean already have land-based establishments, introducing online casinos in Maryland would be much easier. Online sites have to partner with land-based establishments to provide online gaming legally. Therefore, if bill 603 is approved, we can expect to see online casinos in Maryland by the end of 2025.
Brief Gambling History in Maryland
Maryland has had a relatively slow-paced growth of gambling, especially related to casino games. Although horse racing was legalized in the twenties, table games weren’t made legal until 2012. In less than a decade later, the state legalized online and retail sports betting, showing the Old Line State is opening up towards more forms of gambling.
The late legalization of table games and permitting sports betting may carry some momentum toward legalizing online gambling in the state.
- 1791 Lotteries for churches and public improvement are legalized
- 1920 Horse racing given state oversite
- 1943 Slot machines allowed in some counties
- 1973 State Lottery starts.
- 2008 Slot machines approved for some private venues
- 2012 Casino table games legalized
Best Sweepstake Online Casinos in Maryland
Sweepstakes online casinos in Maryland are similar to real money sites in many ways. They provide the same gaming software, ensuring access to the latest titles and the most impressive graphics. These sites include more than just the best online slots, as you’ll also find table games, live dealer games, and video Poker, to mention just a few categories.
Participate in tournaments, collect loyalty rewards, and claim sweep coins in many other ways at sweepstake online casinos. You can redeem your sweep coins after verifying your account, which gives you access to perfectly legal real money rewards.
| Rank | Sweepstakes Online Casino in MD | Welcome Reward |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | McLuck Casino | 50,000 Coins + 25 Sweeps |
| 2. | BetRivers.Net | 10 to 1,000 VC$ |
| 3. | Gamblino Slots | 100,000 Coins + 200 Free Spins |
| 4. | Wow Vegas | 5,000 Wow Coins |
| 5. | Stake.us (Crypto) | 250,000 Coins + $25 Stake Cash |
In which States are Online Casinos Legal?
Gianing access to legal online casinos from Maryland is easy since and a short drive away. New Jersey was the first state to launch legal access to the best online casinos in America. Today, six other states have followed, many of which are close to Maryland.
Closest State with Legal Online Casinos from Maryland
As mentioned above, access to online casinos from Maryland doesn’t require long journeys since multiple neighboring states provide access to the best US online casinos.
Depending on your location in Maryland, you can access online sites in Pennsylvania and Delaware in less than 100 miles. New Jersey provides access to most online sites, offering unique bonuses and thousands of games, and is less than 200 miles from Baltimore.
Land-based Casinos in Maryland
The first land-based casino to open its doors in Maryland was the Riverboat on the Potomac in 1992. Today, there are seven establishments throughout the state offering various electronic slot games, tables, and more.
These land-based casinos in Maryland are spread throughout the state, offering players various choices to access games and additional benefits such as hotels, restaurants, and more.
Online Casinos in Maryland Could Arrive Soon
There is hope that online casinos in Maryland will launch within the next two years, but it will depend on the voters. While the state is showing positive movement toward gambling, there’s no way of knowing which way the vote would go. It could become legal in 2024, or be declined and only brought up again in a few years.
However, since multiple surrounding states offer online casinos already, Maryland would need to provide access to the best sites to ensure revenue remains within state borders.