Maryland Online Casinos
One of the states where some of the biggest expectations for legalizing online gambling, Maryland, didn’t quite come through up to now. The regulations regarding gambling are permissive, and although there aren’t that many Maryland casinos locations, this small state offers a wide variety of options. Also, some starting steps have been made in the online market, but there’s still a long way to go until we see the first Maryland online casino. The alternatives are numerous, and the lawmakers are rather open to the novelties in the field. At the same time, they ask for strict respect for these laws and risk gambling outside the legal MD casinos or in those other allowed venues is simply not worth it. But we gathered a list of USA online casinos for Maryland players.
Best Online Casinos Accepting Maryland Players
| Casino | Bonus | Website | Rating | Features | Deposit | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | $2000 | Review |
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| 2 |  | $12250 | Review |
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| 3 |  | $12000 | Review |
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| 4 |  | $2500 | Review |
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| 5 |  | $1000 | Review |
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| 6 |  | $7777 | Review |
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| 7 |  | $3000 | Review |
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| 8 |  | $800 | Review |
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| 9 |  | $4000 | Review |
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| 10 |  | $5000 | Review |
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Contents
Maryland Gambling Laws
Unlike many other states where this domain shared a vast history, most of the time, one filled with illegalities and organized crime stories, Maryland gambling laws were issued much later than those years of reference. Thus, lawmakers have taken their time and have based their decision on the experience that other states had, taking what has worked in the past in similar situations. But, this doesn’t mean that they were rigid. After the 2008 referendum, for introducing slots at some previously defined locations, this being the first step of the expansion, things have escalated in huge strides. Four years later, there has been a decision to introduce table games at these venues, the birth moment of the Maryland casinos market.
Afterwards, it has become a diversified market, offering besides the gambling casinos in Maryland:
- Horse and dog racing, with one of the venues, is one of the “racinos” types
- Bingo halls and different other charitable gaming options
- Lottery, both state and interstate versions
- Home poker games, allowed by a highly controversial bill
- Maryland sports betting, which the future shall probably bring along this year or 2020 after another controversial bill has passed, which states that this form of betting is to become legit should it be allowed on federal legal grounds.
Surely, seeing how the offline options are many, it’s only normal that the laws state what is accepted and what is not, to be strict. The gambling age in Maryland is 21, no exceptions added, as in other places. For instance, there is also a severe definition of gambling devices, which could mean everything from smartphones to desktop computers. However, the betting online business is still a “grey area”, without control or official regulations, and no player has ever been charged with illegal gambling.
Online Gambling Maryland
Online gambling in Maryland is, as claimed before, unregulated in this state, meaning that any website that offers casino gaming services based in the MD jurisdiction can be prosecuted. Of course, no player has been charged with illegal gambling while playing for real money on websites with operating licenses received from the more relaxed countries when it comes to betting: Canada, Curacao, Malta, etc. These are the real deal, and while one doesn’t wander off on dubious links but ffollowsthe instructions and tecommendations issued by trustworthy websites, which try the gameplay and share reviews, the only risk a player takes upon himself is tis luck runs out.
However, there are some developments that allow us to dream of better times where online activity is concerned:
- The bill which allows home poker games, besides seeming to create competition for MD casinos, gives hope for future online poker legitimacy.
- Another quirky rule is that of social gaming, which is allowed, with some local venues even having their own sites. For example, Maryland Live Casino online business has available mobile real money slots, table games, tournaments, a rewards system, and even a VIP lounge.
- The Maryland Live Casino sports betting platform is ready to be put to good use, especially after the decision to pass a bill stating that whenever the federal law about money transfers is retracted, another bill sustaining wagering on sports is to be passed. This surely affects the Internet-based operators, seeing how to get a larger piece of the pie, they’ll make good use of the advantage of easy access, which is not to be ignored.
To make you not worry about your gambling experience, we reviewed dozens of brands and prepared a hand-picked list. We find Bovada Casino the best choice. Bovada is legal in Maryland, and it offers many interesting features for American players.
- 100$ up to $3000
- Top 1 USA online casino
- Fast payouts
Offline Gambling
Casinos
While there aren’t that many venues of sorts statewide, the ones that do exist are some of the most impressive locations on the entire east coast. The largest casino Maryland has, of the 5 establishments in the state, is the Live! Casino and Hotel, owning 4000 slot machines, around 50 poker tables, and over 100 gaming tables. The resort is owned by locals, and it goes head to head with the commercial and widely-spread brand of MGM, disposing of no more than 3000 slots devices, more than 40 poker rooms and over 100 gaming tables.
These being the case, it’s easy to see why the distaste of lawmakers in Maryland for live online slots when so many live options exist in the brick-and-mortar resorts. More so, seeing the kind of competition neighbour states bring to the table. Delaware, Pennsylvania, and even West Virginia are offering many casinos near Maryland to compete over state’s residents willing to gamble.
Race tracks
A couple of such locations exist in the state, with one of the most famous competitions in the US being held here, at Pimlico Race Course. Unfortunately, lawmakers decided there’s no need for off-track betting locations because the state is of rather a small size, and the 6 race tracks are well spread around the state. Therefore, these venues are forbidden, compelling customers to use one of the existing venues.
Charitable
While charitable games are concerned, some counties allow bingo, but not all of them, making it not the most popular option there is. The base of this category of games is made out of raffles, card games, and the highly notorious casino nights. These get-togethers make another fair point on why no new casinos in MD opened anytime soon. Although only card games and roulette games are permitted during the casino nights, it’s enough for novices to get a taste of how the atmosphere in such a venue really is like.
Social Gaming
The market of Maryland online gambling has received unexpected help from the social gaming side of the Internet. MD Live! Social Casino is the virtual platform where players can get and enjoy some of the games found in the land-based venue, play in tournaments, and join the reward program with bonuses that can be used in the resort.
The Maryland Live! Social Casino is a great example of how a legalized domain of sorts might look like and is perhaps giving an incentive for players to become more interested in the online side of things and an extra impulse for law-makers to reanalyze their decisions on the matter.
Future Expectations
The near future seems to bring along some interesting developments regarding the sports betting legalization. In early 2017 the decision to regulate this subject when and if the federal ban would be cancelled seems to have met its demands. 2018 found the Supreme Court issuing a decision in that direction, and everyone assumes it’s only a matter of time before we can see the first sports booking platforms. The only question is how many casinos in Maryland will start investing already in getting ready for the first wave of customers.
On the downside, there are some bills submitted for banning daily fantasy sports and while at this moment there hasn’t come to any conclusion and the sites are still active, things look pretty bleak up ahead.
Also, MD being a populous state means there are some talks about opening new casinos in Maryland, although the bill which allows home poker games along with the organization of casino-nights put the necessity of opening new such venues in doubt.
You Might Also be Interested in:
Virginia state online casinos
Washington online casinos
Pennsylvania state online casinos
Delaware online casinos
Is gambling legal in Maryland?
Yes, most forms are legal. Maryland gambling laws are quite permissive and allow a variety of types; land-based casinos exist, as well as racinos. Bingo is allowed, with most charitable games as well. Sports betting is up next but with some problems, and perhaps online gambling will soon follow.
Is online gambling legal in Maryland?
For now, the only option is to play on the carefully selected off-shore websites. There has been a bill passed recently to allow home poker games, which hopefully will open the window for the regulation of online poker in Maryland.
What type of legit Maryland online gambling is there?
First, for a complete experience, the only accepted way is to join the off-shore sites reviewed recommended in the list above. Another option is to play in the Maryland Live Casino online platform of social gaming. Also, awaiting the legalization of online sports betting in Maryland, advanced debates are being held on this topic.
Is online poker legal in Maryland?
Maryland online poker hasn’t been legalized just yet, and it’s still considered a grey area. But while there aren’t any US-based websites to offer these services, some verified sites, like those from the list above, are registered outside borders, such as Bovada, Maryland players can use.
How can I transfer money in and out of sites that offer online poker for Maryland players?
All the websites that accept Maryland online poker players have certain terms and conditions regarding the accepted means of transferring money to and from the virtual account. Some limitations are put in place, especially for the safety of the player, as, for example, e-wallets are generally not accepted. Also, some of the restrictions are because the banks involved need to apply some extra security measures, which might delay the transactions.
What is the gambling age in Maryland?
Regardless of whether it’s about playing in an MD casino or any other form of gambling, the Maryland gambling age is 21 years old.
How is the Maryland online casino market developing?
Two aspects give us hope that the future is bound to bring favourable development:
- There are talks about opening new Maryland casinos, on account the state has a larger population than the 5 casinos’ capacity
- MD Live online casino, the platform used for social gaming, already offers versions of slots and table games, with tournaments and rewards system, quite similar to the way a regular virtual establishment does.