Maryland Internet Gambling
- Maryland lawmakers go back and forth when it comes to online gambling. More recently, they seem to be leaning towards the possibility of legal domestic online gambling. Brick-and-mortar casino gambling is somewhat new, so the delay between land-based casinos and state-regulated online casinos is.
- This Swedish virtual casino game provider has more than 23 years of experience in the.
There are two forms of legal Maryland online gambling. Off-track horse racing is permitted on apps and registered websites. The main companies that accept this type of pari-mutuel action are TVG, XpressBet, and TwinSpires. Maryland wanted to legalize fantasy sports by the end of 2015, but was repealed by state legislation in 2016. Maryland Gambling Law. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (LGCA) is responsible for overseeing the state lottery and land-based gaming industry. The LGCA is the authority that issues licenses for casinos, monitors casinos for adhering to all state regulations and ensuring that the lottery is run in a safe and legal manner. During this current health crisis, the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling (the Center) remains open and committed to providing real-time support, help and hope to all Maryland residents. Contact the Maryland Problem Gambling Helpline 1-800-GAMBLER to be connected with Peer Support, Treatment Providers and other resources.
Maryland online casinos have exploded in the market over the past two decades, offering residents and visitors the chance to try their luck and win big all from the comfort of their own homes.| Rank | Online Casino | Key Info | Bonus Info | Visit Casino |
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What Makes These the Top Maryland Online Casino Sites?
Our list of the top Maryland online casinos was not stitched together in five minutes with a few Google searches. We have a team dedicated to finding and analyzing online casinos that service Maryland customers. It’s an extensive process, but the results are the list of the top casino sites above. In the following sections, we’ll take a short look at a few of the criteria our team is looking to find.
Excellent Marks in Safety, Security, and Trustworthiness
For the best Maryland online casino sites to make our recommended list, they need to excel in many areas. Hands down, the most important of those areas is safety, security, and trustworthiness. We stand firm on the fact that you shouldn’t have to worry about your money, your safety, or the fairness of the casino games you play online.
All of the best Maryland online casinos we recommend received high marks in these three areas.
Here are a few of the qualities we used to make those determinations:
- Proper installation of SSL certificates
- A proactive and not reactive approach to security
- Dedicated teams actively eliminating external threats
- Upgraded servers and software to meet today’s standards
- Random number generators regularly tested for fairness
The Casino Games That Maryland Players Want to Play
There’s one thing Maryland residents love more than blue crab… Just kidding! There is nothing we love more. But a close second is gambling and casino games! We’re 11th on the all-state list of yearly lottery sales and 10th in gross gaming casino revenue!
Check out the summarize snippets below:
| Lottery Ticket Sales by State (in billion U.S. dollars) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 3.05 | ||
| New York | 9.69 | ||
| California | 6.28 | ||
| Florida | 6.06 | ||
| Massachusetts | 5.22 | ||
| Texas | 5.07 | ||
| Georgia | 4.56 | ||
| Pennsylvania | 4.14 | ||
| Ohio | 3.93 | ||
| New Jersey | 3.29 | ||
| Michigan | 3.1 | ||
| Illinois | 2.86 | ||
| North Carolina | 2.38 | ||
| Virginia | 2.01 | ||
| Gross Gambling Revenue by State (in million U.S. dollars) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 1,746.36 | ||
| Nevada | 11,917.37 | ||
| Pennsylvania | 3,251.2 | ||
| New Jersey | 2,903.48 | ||
| New York | 2,587.74 | ||
| Louisiana | 2,561.46 | ||
| Indiana | 2,240.84 | ||
| Mississippi | 2,142.06 | ||
| Ohio | 1,863.94 | ||
| Missouri | 1,754.47 | ||
| Iowa | 1,467.33 | ||
| Michigan | 1,444.1 | ||
| Illinois | 1,373.46 | ||
| Colorado | 842.1 | ||
Based on our anecdotal research, we’ve found that Maryland gamblers are particularly fond of keno, roulette, blackjack, poker, and slots. When we’re creating our list of the top Maryland online casinos, we pay special attention to these games. We’re looking for casinos that offer a well-rounded series of options, but also with some special attention to these Maryland favorites.
The Highest-Quality Online Casino Experience Available
Technology has come too far in this industry for you ever to consider settling for a less than perfect online casino. In the early days, we’d cut companies slack because everything was new. Now, though, you will not see any Maryland online casino sites on our recommended list that do not excel in every way possible.
Here are some of the ways the best Maryland online casinos we recommended above shine when it comes to offering a quality product:
- The highest quality games
- An impressive selection of games to choose from
- Crips graphics and smooth animations
- Seamless gameplay
- Lots of banking options properly integrated
- Superior customer service
Are Maryland Online Casinos Legal?
When you dig into the Maryland lawbooks, you will find several sections concerning land-based casinos and riverboat casinos.
What you won’t see, though, is any mention of laws concerning online gambling. This seems like an open and shut case to us as well as many gaming attorneys.
But some legal minds feel differently. Their case says that because the lawbooks don’t say it’s legal, then it is illegal. This guilty due to omission approach does not hold water. Nowhere in the MD codes of law does it say that using a calculator is legal. Does this mean we have to revert to counting on our fingers?
While we will concede the legality of Maryland online casinos could be more transparent, we stand by our interpretation of the rulebooks. The only laws that address this issue within this jurisdiction are federal statutes. However, these laws only concern casino owners and operators. Unless you’re looking to open your own Maryland online casinos, you have nothing to worry about. All that said, you still have options if you need a more unambiguous answer.
Breaking Down the Legality of Land-Based Casinos in Maryland
Whether you’re looking for table games, slots, or poker, you’ll be pleased with what the state of Maryland allows to operate within its borders.
Here’s the landscape by the numbers:
- 15 casinos
- 11,974 slots and gaming machines
- 488 table games
- 129 live poker tables
- Live gambling offered in 11 cities across MD
According to the Maryland legal codes, gambling’s definition is the following:
“Wagering or betting in any manner to receive something of value dependent upon the result of any race, contest or contingency.”
Live casino action is alive and well in the state of Maryland. According to our understanding of the laws, there are no restrictions on casino games within the state. You are free to play what you want and when you want.
Thankfully, the best Maryland online casinos are picking up the slack.
Predictions for the Future of Maryland Online Casinos
Where does the Maryland online casino market go from here? It’s our prediction that the simple answer is up. In a state where legalized gambling is everywhere, you can expect the same trend to continue when they begin regulating and addressing online casinos.
For now, the best Maryland online casinos can operate without much regulation, which is excellent for them but not ideal for you. It’s the Wild West.
When this happens, they’ll be looking for their cut from the Maryland online casino sites but, in return, will be providing a much safer gaming landscape for you.
We can’t guarantee this will happen or that it will happen anytime soon. But based on our understanding of the market and the recent growth of online poker in the state, the only direction to move is forward. Additionally, recent attempts to fast-track sports betting legislation in Maryland leads us to believe good things are to come.
Maryland Online Casino Sites FAQ
Maryland is home to major sports teams such as the Baltimore Ravens and
Orioles. As you’d probably expect, there’s a huge number of sports fans here,
many of which love to place wagers on major games. Unfortunately, this state has
taken an anti-gambling stance over the years, particularly when it comes to
online gambling. With that being said, there are still a number of great
Maryland sports betting sites available here.
For those new to internet sports betting in Maryland, choosing a website to play at for
the first time can seem daunting. To help out with this, our team of experts is
going to break down the four most important features that all online sportsbooks
should provide. We’ll also dive into why online sports betting in Maryland is
growing more popular every year.
Later on, we’re going to explain the current laws and regulations surrounding
online sports wagering in this state. There’s a lot of information to unpack.
Let’s get into it!
Of course, if you want to skip this entire breakdown and get straight to the
betting, you can check out the sports betting websites in Maryland that we
recommend below.
| Rank | Gambling Site | Deposit Bonus | Get Started | |
| #1 | 100% Up To $2,500 | Visit Site | ||
| #2 | MyBookie | 50% Up To $1,000 | Visit Site | |
| #3 | 100% Up To $1,000 | Visit Site | ||
| #4 | Bovada Sports | 50% Up To $250 | Visit Site | |
| #5 | 50% Up To $1,000 | Visit Site | ||
Here’s What to Look for in Maryland Sports Betting Sites Today
The US online sports betting industry has come a long way. Not long ago, this
entire market was limited to just a few websites offering limited odds with poor
designs. Today, some of the biggest online gambling companies in the world are
available throughout the country.
Finding a few sports betting sites in Maryland shouldn’t be
difficult, as long as you know what to look for. That’s what we are here for!
Below are four of the most important features that absolutely all internet
sportsbooks should provide to their members.
Safe and Transparent Payment System
Safety is and always will be the most important thing to make sure that a
gambling website provides. You could find a sportsbook with the best odds on a
wide range of different sports, yet if it doesn’t provide you with security,
it’s not worth joining. Fortunately, this is an easy thing to look into
nowadays.
Maryland Online Gambling
There are a few ways to do this. One is to head over to our
sports betting sites page.
Over the years, our team has looked at hundreds of different online sportsbooks.
In each review, we dive into the payment systems for these websites. If we find
anything shady going on, we’ll let you know about it.
Maryland Gambling Sites
It’s also a great idea to simply check out these websites for yourself.
Almost all Maryland sports betting sites operating today provide their members
with information on exactly which payment methods are accepted. If you find that
a site doesn’t, there’s probably something wrong.
The best US online sportsbooks allow deposits to be made
using both debit and credit cards. Withdrawal (payout) methods are generally a
little more limited. Most of these sites only allow payouts to be made using
Bitcoin. Fortunately, Bitcoin withdrawals come with extremely low fees and are
processed within just a few days.
Some sites, including
BetOnline.ag, even provide entire pages that explain how Bitcoin
payouts are made.
Before joining any sports betting sites in Maryland, make sure that they
provide you with safe and transparent payment methods. There’s nothing more
important!
Great Design and Overall User Interface
Design may not seem all that important. On the contrary, it’s one of the most
crucial things to look for in a Maryland betting site. The style and functionality
of these websites will affect your entire gambling experience. If you find that
the sports betting sites in Maryland make it difficult to place bets, they’re
probably not great.
Much like the payment system, this is another extremely easy thing to look
into. In this case, your best option is to simply check out a few sites. The
ones we recommend at the top of this page are well-known for offering amazing
designs and interfaces.
Everyone’s design style differs. Some love simplistic websites that only
provide certain odds on major sporting events. Others love modern, complex sites
that provide a massive list of different odds and promotion offers. The
important thing is finding a site that fits your gaming needs.
Take a little time to find a few Maryland sports betting sites
that provide a modern style. It should be extremely easy to actually place bets
through these websites. Check to make sure that they don’t crash as well.
Wide Range of Betting Odds
More often than not, the more odds that a website offers, the better the
entire sports betting site really is. This is the case now more than ever. All of the
modern sports betting sites in Maryland provide thousands of different betting
odds to their members every single day.
Some sites are known to provide more odds than others. Major sites such as
Bovada provide odds on a huge number of both big and small sporting events.
Others tend to focus on the major US sports leagues. As long as you can find
odds on the sports you plan to bet on, you’re good to go!
Are you a hardcore Ravens fan? Find some sports betting sites in Maryland
offering NFL odds for the entire season. Do you love the Orioles? Find some of
the best online sportsbooks in Maryland that provide a range of MLB bets.
A few of the MD sports betting sites operating today also
provide odds on fun novelty events. You can find wagers for things like politics
and movie outcomes! Do a little research and find a few betting websites that
offer the types of odds that you are looking for.
Helpful Customer Service Options
This is probably the feature of Maryland betting websites that players fail to look for
the most. It’s unfortunate because a solid customer support system is sometimes
crucial. Maryland does not currently regulate its sports betting market. That
means, if you ever encounter an issue with your gambling experience, you’ll have
to rely on the site you play at to help you out!
For this reason, we highly recommend when betting online in Maryland to select a site with excellent customer service.
Much like design, this is something you will want to check out on the sites themselves. These internet
sportsbooks should clearly list which support options are provided directly on
their homepage.
In our opinion, a live chat feature is the best option available right now.
This allows you to speak directly with a website representative over text chat.
It’s the best and easiest way to have your questions answered instantly. A
direct phone line is also fantastic.
Some of the less-reputable sports betting sites in Maryland
only offer email support. We don’t recommend joining these sites. Email support
can often take weeks to answer any questions you have. Always look for online
sportsbooks that provide instant customer service whenever you need it.
Why Are Online Sports Betting Sites in Maryland Becoming so Popular Now?
Maryland, and Baltimore, in particular, is known to have one of the most
passionate sports fan bases in the country. Unfortunately, there are very
limited options here to actually bet on sports. Since PASPA was struck down back
in May of 2018, every state now has the ability to completely legalize sports
betting.
Lawmakers in Maryland have not yet taken the steps to do so. A few bills have
been introduced that could change this, yet they have not been passed in the
State Senate.
We wanted to know exactly why the popularity of online sports betting in
Maryland is growing so much. Our team asked a number of bettors here why they
love to wager online. There are two responses we heard over and over.
Most Convenient Option Available
There may be a time when land-based sports betting options are available in
MD but till then, online betting in Maryland is one of your options.
Until that happens, the only real options to make bets here are online or
through an illegal bookie on the ground. For obvious reasons, the internet route
is significantly more convenient.
For one, you can make these wagers from the comfort of home. In fact, all of
the sports betting sites in Maryland operating today allow you to place bets
from anywhere with an internet connection. The majority even let you make wagers
on the go using a smartphone!
Forget trying to find a local bookie. There are a huge number of amazing
Maryland sports betting sites that offer thousands of odds every single day.
Don’t believe us? Check out the sites at the top of this page and see for
yourself!
Massive Range of Different Betting Options
We’ve touched on this a few times. The fact is, even if Maryland did allow
for land-based sports betting, sportsbooks here wouldn’t provide as many betting
options as internet sportsbooks do. You would not believe some of the things you
can bet on nowadays.
The huge number of different wagering options is certainly a reason why these
sites are growing so popular. Bettors here can find great odds on sporting
events taking place around the world. That means at any time of the day, you’ll
have something to throw money on.
The best online sportsbooks in Maryland provide more betting
options than even the biggest sportsbooks in Las Vegas. Whether you love
basketball, football, or ice hockey, there are odds available through these
websites.
So, Is Online Sports Betting in Maryland Actually Lawful?
As we mentioned earlier, Maryland has some pretty restrictive laws when it
comes to gambling. It makes no sense, as legalized sports betting could earn the
government here millions in additional revenue every year. The specific legality
of Maryland sports betting sites is a little vague.
First, let’s look at the definition of gambling in Maryland.
Section 12-102 of the State Statutes declares that:Maryland Gambling Age
“A person may not
1) bet, wager, or gamble;
(2) make or sell a book or pool on the result of a race, contest, or
contingency;
(3) establish, keep, rent, use, or occupy, or knowingly allow to be
established, kept, rented, used, or occupied, all or a part of a building,
vessel, or place, on land or water, within the State, for the purpose of: (i)
betting, wagering, or gambling; or (ii) making, selling, or buying books or
pools on the result of a race, contest, or contingency; or
(4) receive, become the depository of, record, register, or forward, or
propose, agree, or pretend to forward, money or any other thing or consideration
of value, to be bet, wagered, or gambled on the result of a race, contest, or
contingency.”
Does that mean all forms of gambling are completely banned here? Well, no.
And that’s why these laws are a little confusing. MD is one of the few states
that also specifically states that it’s not allowed to bet using a “gaming
device.”
(1) “Gaming device” means:
(i) a gaming table, except a billiard table, at which a game of chance is
played for money or any other thing or consideration of value; or
(ii) a game or device at which money or any other thing or consideration
of value is bet, wagered, or gambled.
Some feel this makes it illegal to bet on sports over the internet. There are
others that feel the laws aren’t specific enough to make a ruling on the
legality of sports betting sites in Maryland based in other
areas. We always recommend you abide by the law. With that being said, laws and
constantly changing, and they may decide to completely regulate online sports
betting in Maryland within the next few years.
Will I Be Prosecuted For Playing at Sports Betting Sites in Maryland?
It’s pretty unlikely. Technically, Maryland seems to have the power to crack
down on online gambling. It doesn’t seem to have happened yet, though. Our team
has not come across a single case of any individuals facing legal trouble for
betting on sports online here.
How Do I Stay Safe Playing at Sports Betting Sites in Maryland?
As we’ve already mentioned, online sports wagering is safer now than ever
before. Most of the Maryland sports betting sites operating today take strict
measures to ensure their members stay completely safe. There are, however, a few
basic steps that you can take to ensure your gambling experience online is
nothing but fun.
Our team has spent years finding the best ways to bet over the internet. We
have come up with five simple tips that everyone can follow to stay safe. Check
them out below!
Make Sure to Play at Trustworthy Sites
The easiest way to ensure you stay safe is to only play through reputable
sites! If you do this, there’s a very good chance you will never have a single
issue. Make sure that any of the sports betting sites in MD you
are thinking about joining offer safe payment options and a range of helpful
customer support options.
Track How Much You Are Betting
This one is your responsibility. Sports betting is extremely fun, and
sometimes, people wager a little more money than they probably should. Don’t
make this mistake! Always track exactly how much money you are betting online.
If, on the off chance, you realize you are betting too much, take a break from
your Maryland betting sites for a few weeks.
Bet on Sports That You Know About
With thousands of different odds available every single day, it can be
extremely tempting to throw money on the underdog of a sporting event you know
nothing about. This is almost never a good idea. We recommend that you only
wager on sports that you understand. Your chances of winning will go up
significantly.
Never Give out Your Account Information
You should think of your betting account as a bank account! Anyone with
access to this account information can spend your money as they wish. For this
reason, it’s hugely important that you never give the details of your username
and password to anyone. Reputable sports betting sites in Maryland
will never ask for this info. It’s also a good idea to change your betting
password from time to time.
Stay Updated on Changes to Online Gambling Laws in Maryland
Sports betting laws are changing fast around the country. There’s a very good
chance that in time, all Maryland sports betting sites will be completely
regulated by the state government. Make sure to follow our
industry news page for updates
on changes to gambling laws. If this state begins to completely legalize the
online sports betting industry, we’ll be the first to let you know about it!
FAQ on Internet Sports Betting in Maryland
What Are the Most Popular Sports That People Bet on Here?
Maryland’s sports fanbase is diverse. From what we have seen, most people
here tend to place wagers on the NFL and MLB. Fortunately, most Maryland sports
betting sites provide amazing odds on both of these sports and more.
How Much Money Can I Win Betting Online?
Sports gambling is happening throughout the country. Online sports gambling
is growing particularly popular in Massachusetts right now because it’s the
safest option available and offers more wagering options than even the top
land-based sportsbooks in the country.
Is Online Sports Betting in Maryland Easier Than Land-Based Betting?
It’s very similar! The major difference is that it’s significantly more
convenient. Online sports betting allows you to place wagers from anywhere in
the state with an internet connection. When it comes to actually placing bets,
the process is just about the same.
When Will Online Sports Betting in Maryland Become Fully Regulated?
It’s hard to say. Back in February of 2018, Maryland lawmakers introduced
Bill No. 989 that provides an outline to legalize and regulate sports gambling.
Since that time, the state has not made any progress to make Maryland sports
betting sites fully legal. In our opinion, this industry will be regulated
within the next few years.
Why Should I Play at Sports Betting Sites in Maryland?
We never want to push internet sports betting on anyone. The choice to bet or
not bet is always yours! From what we have heard from the players that we have
spoken to, online sports betting is the most convenient option available and
provides more odds than even the biggest and best land-based sportsbook.
Conclusion
It’s a shame that Maryland has not taken the same pro-sports betting approach
that nearby states like New Jersey have. There is obviously a massive market for
the industry here, and the state could earn millions every year if it becomes
fully legal. As more states around the country begin to legalize this industry,
we feel that Maryland will, too.
If you decide that internet sports gambling is for you, make sure to check
out the Maryland sports betting sites that we recommend at the top of this page.
Each one is amazing and provides some great odds on almost every major sport.
Feel free to take a look at our
gambling blog page for expert predictions on major sporting events taking
place around the country. Good luck making your bets!