Maryland Casinos, Sweepstakes and Gambling
Neighbouring States: Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC
Maryland at a Glance
✅ Allowed
- Online sports betting: legal since November 2022; 10+ licensed operators including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and others
- Land-based casinos: six licensed commercial casinos; one of the densest casino networks on the East Coast
- State lottery: Maryland Lottery; Powerball and Mega Millions; online ticket sales available
- Daily fantasy sports (DFS): legal and regulated
- Horse racing: pari-mutuel wagering at Pimlico and Laurel Park (home of the Preakness Stakes)
- Charitable gaming: licensed bingo, raffles, and tip jars
- Social casinos: free-to-play with no cash prizes
- Sweepstakes casinos: currently available but under active enforcement and facing imminent ban (see important note)
- Minimum age: 21 for casino gaming; 18 for sports betting and lottery
❌ Not Allowed
- Real-money online casinos: not yet legalised; iGaming referendum bill withdrawn in 2026; earliest possible: November 2026 ballot
- Online poker: no licensed real-money poker sites
- Credit card funding: prohibited for sports betting accounts
Sweepstakes casinos — ban imminent, use caution: HB 295, a sweepstakes casino ban bill, passed the Maryland House of Delegates 105-24 on 20 March 2026 and has been referred to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. If it passes the Senate before the legislature adjourns on 13 April 2026 and is signed by Governor Wes Moore, sweepstakes casinos will be banned in Maryland with criminal penalties of up to 3 years imprisonment and fines of $10,000–$100,000. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) has already sent cease-and-desist letters to more than 75 operators — MegaBonanza, WOW Vegas, and Spree have already restricted Maryland access. Even if HB 295 does not pass this session, the MLGCA is actively enforcing existing law against sweepstakes platforms. Social casinos are the safest alternative.
Sweepstakes and Social Casinos in Maryland
Maryland is one of the most active sweepstakes enforcement states in the country. The MLGCA has issued 75+ cease-and-desist letters, though Director John Martin testified in February 2026 that only around one-third of operators complied. The remaining accessible platforms operate in a legally contested environment where the agency considers them to be offering illegal gambling under existing Maryland law.
Sweepstakes Casinos — Currently Accessible But at Risk
Some platforms remain technically accessible to Maryland players as of this writing, but given the legislative and enforcement environment, access may be cut off at any time. Platforms already restricted include MegaBonanza, WOW Vegas, and Spree — all likely responding to MLGCA enforcement. Available platforms include:
- Crown Coins: A well-regarded sweepstakes casino with a strong game library.
- Fortune Coins: Popular for its large game library and strong VIP programme.
- American Luck: A US-focused platform with regular promotional offers.
- Free Spin Casino: A solid option with a wide variety of slot titles.
Given HB 295's imminent passage, we strongly recommend Maryland players consider social casinos as their primary option.
Social Casinos — The Safe Alternative
- 7 Seas Casino: Free-to-play Vegas-style slots. No prizes, no purchase, no legal risk.
- Vegas World: Free slots, poker, and table games in a lively social environment.
- Casino World: A broad range of free social casino games.
Online Sports Betting — Fully Legal
Online sports betting launched in Maryland in November 2022 and has grown into one of the larger East Coast markets. Licensed operators include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, and others. Maryland raised the sports betting tax to 20% of gross revenue in June 2025, one of the higher rates in the US. Credit card use for sports betting is prohibited. The minimum age is 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Maryland?
They are increasingly treated as illegal under existing Maryland gambling law. The MLGCA has sent 75+ cease-and-desist letters, and HB 295 — which passed the House 105-24 in March 2026 — would explicitly ban them with criminal penalties. The Senate must act before April 13, 2026 for the ban to pass this session. Regardless of legislative outcome, the MLGCA considers most sweepstakes casinos to be operating illegally. Social casinos with no cash prizes are the recommended alternative.
Are real-money online casinos legal in Maryland?
Not yet. Maryland has been one of the most hotly debated iGaming states. Online casino revenue is projected in the billions annually, and several major casino operators support legalisation. However, the iGaming referendum bill (SB 761) was withdrawn in March 2026 after a Senate committee cancelled its hearing, making iGaming dead for 2026. Senator Watson's SB 885 remains — it would put the question to voters in a November 2026 referendum — but needs to pass both chambers first. Opposition comes from regional operators like Cordish Companies (Live! Casino) who fear cannibalisation, and from polling showing 71% of Marylanders oppose "always-on" mobile casino access.
How many casinos are there in Maryland?
Maryland has six licensed commercial casinos, all regulated by the MLGCA. There are no tribal casinos in Maryland. The six casinos generated $1.965 billion in gaming revenue in FY2025, making Maryland one of the top commercial casino markets on the East Coast.
Is online sports betting legal in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland legalised sports betting in 2021 via voter referendum, with online and retail sportsbooks launching in November 2022. The market has 10+ licensed operators. Maryland raised the sports betting tax to 20% in June 2025. Credit cards are prohibited for funding betting accounts. Minimum age is 18.
Is daily fantasy sports legal in Maryland?
Yes. DFS is legal and regulated in Maryland. Major platforms including DraftKings and FanDuel operate legally. The minimum age is 18.
Where is the nearest casino to Washington DC?
MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, is approximately 7 miles from downtown DC — easily accessible via Metro. It is the largest casino in the Mid-Atlantic region and one of the most visited on the East Coast. Live! Casino Maryland in Hanover is about 30 minutes from DC and another major option.
What responsible gambling resources are available in Maryland?
The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling provides statewide support at 1-800-522-4700 (National Problem Gambling Helpline), available 24/7. The MLGCA administers a voluntary self-exclusion programme covering all licensed casinos and sports betting operators. Maryland casinos are required to post responsible gambling information prominently and train staff to identify problem gambling behaviours.
Maryland Gambling Laws and Regulation
Maryland gambling is regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA), which oversees all six commercial casinos, the state lottery, sports betting, and DFS. All casino expansion in Maryland requires voter approval via referendum — a constitutional requirement that has shaped the state's gradual casino rollout and continues to be the primary obstacle to online casino legalisation.
Maryland's gambling statutes prohibit unlicensed gaming operations. The MLGCA's legal position is that sweepstakes casinos operate without a licence and therefore violate state law — a position the agency has acted on aggressively with its C&D campaign. HB 295, the pending sweepstakes ban, would codify this into explicit criminal law and add a companion enforcement bill (HB 1226, the Maryland Illegal Online Gambling Enforcement Act) granting regulators authority to issue C&D orders, block payment processors, and implement IP blocking against unlicensed operators.
The iGaming standoff — Maryland's billion-dollar debate
Maryland is one of the most commercially attractive iGaming markets in the US — the state is wealthy, densely populated, and surrounded by states where online gambling is either legal (New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia) or rapidly evolving. Projected annual iGaming tax revenue runs into the hundreds of millions. But the combination of a constitutional referendum requirement, union opposition from casino workers, and regional operator resistance (particularly from Cordish Companies' Live! Casino) has repeatedly blocked bills. The November 2026 ballot remains the most realistic path — if a referendum bill passes the legislature before April 13. Total gaming handle in Maryland exceeded $10 billion in FY2025.
Maryland Gambling History
Maryland's gambling history is closely tied to horse racing, which has been a fixture of Maryland culture since the colonial era. The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, has been held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore since 1873 — one of the most storied races in American sport. Laurel Park hosts thoroughbred racing for most of the year.
The Maryland Lottery launched in 1973 and has been a consistent revenue source for education and other state programmes. Casino gambling arrived later and more cautiously. A 2008 voter referendum approved a limited number of slot machine licences, and a 2012 referendum added table games and a sixth casino licence. The rollout was staggered deliberately — Hollywood Casino Perryville opened in 2010, followed by the others over subsequent years, with the flagship MGM National Harbor opening in 2016.
Sports betting was approved by voters in November 2020 and launched at retail in December 2021, with the full online market following in November 2022. Maryland entered the post-PASPA betting landscape relatively quickly compared to its mid-Atlantic neighbours.
Maryland's Six Commercial Casinos
Maryland's six casinos are spread across the state, with the heaviest concentration near the Baltimore-Washington corridor:
- MGM National Harbor (Oxon Hill): The crown jewel of Maryland gambling, located on the Potomac River just south of Washington DC. One of the largest and most luxurious casino resorts on the East Coast, with 3,000+ slot machines, 140+ table games, a theatre, hotel, multiple restaurants, and spa. Approximately 7 miles from downtown Washington DC — accessible via Water Taxi and Metro bus.
- Live! Casino Maryland (Hanover): Operated by Cordish Companies, consistently one of the highest-grossing casinos in the region. Located between Baltimore and DC, with 4,000+ gaming machines, 200+ table games, a hotel, and extensive dining and entertainment.
- Horseshoe Baltimore (Baltimore): Part of the Caesars network. Located in downtown Baltimore with 2,200+ slots, 150+ table games, and a 24-table poker room.
- Ocean Downs Casino (Berlin): A racino near Ocean City, combining slot machines with live and simulcast harness racing.
- Hollywood Casino Perryville (Perryville): The first Maryland casino to open (2010), located at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. Slots, table games, and a poker room.
- Rocky Gap Casino Resort (Cumberland): Located in western Maryland amid the Allegheny Mountains. Slots, table games, a hotel, golf course, and spa — a resort destination in a scenic setting.
Responsible Gambling in Maryland
- Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling: Part of the University of Maryland School of Medicine; provides clinical services, training, and research. Contact via the National Problem Gambling Helpline.
- National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700, available 24/7 by phone, text, and live chat at ncpgambling.org.
- MLGCA Self-Exclusion Programme: A single voluntary registration excludes a player from all six licensed Maryland casinos and all licensed sports betting operators. Information at mdgaming.com.
- Gamblers Anonymous: Active chapters in Baltimore, Annapolis, and throughout Maryland; schedules at gamblersanonymous.org.