Online Gambling in Maryland (2026) | Laws, Sports Betting & Casino Guide
Quick Legal Status
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Online Casino (iGaming) | ❌ NOT LEGAL — requires voter referendum |
| Online Sports Betting | ✅ LEGAL — since November 2022 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) | ✅ LEGAL |
| Land-Based Casinos | ✅ LEGAL — 6 licensed casinos |
| Online Poker | ❌ NOT LEGAL |
| Lottery | ✅ LEGAL |
| Horse Racing Wagering | ✅ LEGAL |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 21 (sports betting and casinos) |
| Regulator | Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) |
Legal Overview
What’s Legal
- Online sports betting is fully legal in Maryland. Mobile and online wagering launched in November 2022. As of 2026, 12 licensed online sportsbooks operate in the state.
- Retail sports betting is legal at licensed casinos and select off-site locations.
- Land-based casino gaming is legal at 6 MLGCA-licensed properties, including MGM National Harbor and Live! Casino & Hotel.
- Daily Fantasy Sports is legal in Maryland. DraftKings and FanDuel both accept Maryland players for DFS contests.
- Horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering is legal at licensed tracks and off-track betting facilities.
- State Lottery products are available to adults 18 and older.
What’s Not Legal
- Online casino gaming (iGaming) is NOT legal in Maryland. This is critical: Maryland’s constitution requires that any expansion of commercial gaming be approved by statewide voter referendum — the legislature cannot legalize iGaming on its own. As of May 2026, no referendum has been confirmed for the 2026 general election ballot. The earliest iGaming could realistically launch is 2027 at the absolute earliest.
- Online poker is not available from any state-licensed operator.
- Sweepstakes casinos: Maryland passed HB 1226 in March 2026 banning sweepstakes casinos, signaling a cautious regulatory approach toward expanded gambling products.
Key Legislation
| Bill / Law | Year | What It Did |
|---|---|---|
| Question 2 — Ballot Referendum | November 2020 | Maryland voters approved sports betting by approximately a 2:1 margin; authorized expansion of commercial gaming for sports and event betting |
| HB0940 — Sports Betting Enabling Legislation | May 2021 | Created the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC); established MLGCA as regulatory authority; authorized up to 60 online and 50 retail licenses; online wagering launched November 2022 |
| SB 306 — iGaming Bill | 2024 (failed) | Sen. Ron Watson introduced an online casino bill that failed on the last day of the 2024 session; earliest possible ballot: November 2026; earliest legal launch: 2027 |
| HB 1226 — Sweepstakes Casino Ban | March 2026 | Banning sweepstakes casinos passed Maryland House crossover deadline; signals cautious approach to expanded gambling |
Regulatory Structure
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) oversees all casino gaming and sports wagering in Maryland.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | https://www.mdgaming.com/ |
| Casinos page | https://www.mdgaming.com/marylands-casinos/ |
| Complaint form | https://www.mdgaming.com/marylands-casinos/compliance/casino-complaint-form/ |
The MLGCA oversees all 6 licensed casinos, all sports wagering licenses, and self-exclusion programs. The lottery operates separately under the Maryland Lottery.
Licensed Online Sports Betting Operators
Maryland has one of the largest legal sports betting markets on the East Coast. As of May 2026, 12 licensed online sportsbooks operate in the state. Maryland law authorizes up to 60 online licenses.
| Operator | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bally Bet | Active | Launched 2024 |
| bet365 | Active | |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | Active | Launched with December 2021 retail at MGM National Harbor |
| BetPARX Sportsbook | Active | |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Active | |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Active | Launched with December 2021 retail at Horseshoe Baltimore |
| Crab Sports Maryland | Active | Maryland-specific brand |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Active | |
| ESPN Bet Sportsbook | Active | |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Active | |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Active | Launched with December 2021 retail at Live! Casino |
| LetsBetMD Sportsbook | Active | Launched 2024 |
Departed operators: PointsBet stopped accepting Maryland wagers on January 30, 2024. SuperBook Sportsbook also exited Maryland in 2024.
Land-Based Casinos
Maryland has 6 licensed casino properties, all opened between 2010 and 2016. All are regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
| Casino | Location | Opened | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Casino Perryville | Perryville | Sept. 27, 2010 | Penn Entertainment |
| Ocean Downs Casino | Berlin | Jan. 4, 2011 | Churchill Downs, Inc. |
| Live! Casino & Hotel | Hanover | June 6, 2012 | Cordish Companies |
| Rocky Gap Casino Resort | Cumberland | May 22, 2013 | CNF Hospitality |
| Horseshoe Casino Baltimore | Baltimore | Aug. 26, 2014 | Caesars Entertainment |
| MGM National Harbor | Oxon Hill | Dec. 8, 2016 | MGM Resorts International |
Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment in November 2008 authorizing slot machines, and in November 2012 approved expansion to include table games, 24-hour operations, and a sixth casino — which became MGM National Harbor.
Offshore Online Casinos
Players in Maryland may access offshore online casinos, though these operate outside state regulation. Maryland players face significant restrictions at most major offshore sites.
CRITICAL NOTE for Maryland players: Maryland is on the restricted states list for the Bovada/Ignition network. Bovada, Ignition Casino, Cafe Casino, and Slots.LV do NOT accept Maryland players. Wild Casino (an independent operator not affiliated with the Bovada network) likely accepts Maryland players, but this should be verified directly.
Important: These operators are not licensed by the MLGCA. They operate offshore under international regulation. Players accept additional risk when using unregulated platforms and have no recourse under Maryland law in the event of a dispute.
| Operator | Maryland Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bovada | ❌ Does NOT accept MD players | Maryland is in Bovada’s restricted states list |
| Wild Casino | ✅ Likely accepts MD players | Independent operator; not affiliated with Bovada network; no known Maryland restriction. Verify before use. |
| Ignition Casino | ❌ Does NOT accept MD players | Same ownership/network as Bovada; Maryland is restricted |
| Cafe Casino | ❌ Does NOT accept MD players | Maryland is in Cafe Casino’s restricted states list |
| Slots.LV | ❌ Does NOT accept MD players | Maryland is in Slots.LV restricted states list |
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Daily fantasy sports is legal in Maryland. Both DraftKings and FanDuel accept Maryland players for DFS contests. Maryland’s DFS regulatory framework pre-dated sports betting legalization.
Recent Legal Changes 2024–2026
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| 2024 | SB 306 (online casino / iGaming bill) failed on the last day of the 2024 General Assembly session |
| January 2024 | PointsBet exits Maryland — stops accepting wagers January 30, 2024 |
| 2024 | SuperBook Sportsbook exits Maryland |
| 2024 | College player prop bets banned by MLGCA regulation |
| 2024 | LetsBetMD and Bally Bet both launch, bringing total active online sportsbooks to 12 |
| 2024 | Governor Moore signs $400M Pimlico Race Course renovation bill; state now owns Pimlico |
| November 2025 | Industry analysts not bullish on near-term iGaming legalization; no referendum confirmed for 2026 ballot |
| March 2026 | HB 1226 banning sweepstakes casinos passes Maryland House crossover deadline |
| May 2026 | No iGaming referendum confirmed for November 2026 ballot as of research date |
Responsible Gambling
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| Maryland Problem Gambling Helpline | 1-800-426-2537 (1-800-GAMBLER) — 24/7, no cost to Maryland residents |
| MLGCA Responsible Gambling | https://www.mdgaming.com/welcome/responsible-gambling/ |
| National Problem Gambling Helpline | 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) |
| National Council on Problem Gambling | ncpgambling.org |
| Gamblers Anonymous | gamblersanonymous.org |
| SAMHSA Helpline | 1-800-662-4357 |
Self-Exclusion Program
Maryland has a self-exclusion program administered through the MLGCA. Players can voluntarily exclude from all licensed Maryland casinos and sports wagering operators. For enrollment information, visit https://www.mdgaming.com/ or call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online gambling legal in Maryland?
Online sports betting is fully legal in Maryland — 12 licensed sportsbooks operate as of 2026. Online casino gaming (iGaming) is NOT legal. Uniquely, Maryland’s constitution requires that any casino gaming expansion be approved by a statewide voter referendum. The legislature cannot legalize iGaming on its own. No iGaming referendum was confirmed for the November 2026 ballot as of May 2026, meaning the earliest legal online casino launch would be 2027 at the very earliest.
Can I bet on sports online in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland has 12 active licensed online sportsbooks as of 2026, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, BetRivers, BetPARX, Crab Sports Maryland, LetsBetMD, and Bally Bet. All are licensed by the MLGCA. You must be 21 or older and physically located in Maryland to place a bet.
Will Maryland ever legalize online casino gaming?
Possibly, but not soon. Maryland’s constitution requires a statewide voter referendum for any expansion of commercial gaming. An iGaming bill (SB 306) failed in the 2024 General Assembly session. No referendum was confirmed for November 2026 as of May 2026. Realistically, Maryland iGaming would require a referendum to pass and then enabling legislation — putting the earliest possible launch at 2027 or later. Maryland also passed a ban on sweepstakes casinos in March 2026, suggesting a cautious regulatory environment.
Can Maryland residents use Bovada or other offshore casinos?
Most major offshore casinos do NOT accept Maryland players. Bovada, Ignition Casino, Cafe Casino, and Slots.LV all list Maryland as a restricted state. Wild Casino (an independent operator not affiliated with the Bovada network) likely accepts Maryland players, but players should verify directly by reviewing the operator’s current terms of service. MobileCasinoParty strongly recommends only using operators that clearly accept Maryland players and cautions that offshore platforms operate without MLGCA oversight.
How many casinos are in Maryland?
Maryland has 6 licensed casinos: Hollywood Casino Perryville, Ocean Downs Casino, Live! Casino & Hotel (Hanover), Rocky Gap Casino Resort, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, and MGM National Harbor. All are regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA).
What is the minimum age for gambling in Maryland?
The minimum age for sports betting and casino gaming in Maryland is 21. The Maryland Lottery minimum age is 18.
Who regulates gambling in Maryland?
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) regulates all casino gaming and sports wagering in Maryland. Website: mdgaming.com. The MLGCA oversees all six licensed casinos, all 12 licensed online sportsbooks, and the state’s self-exclusion program.
Does Maryland have a self-exclusion program?
Yes. Maryland has a self-exclusion program administered through the MLGCA that covers all licensed casinos and sports wagering operators. Players seeking help can also call the Maryland Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-426-2537, available 24/7 at no cost to Maryland residents.
Related Guides
- Responsible Gambling Policy — Support resources and helplines
- Casino Review Process — How we evaluate and rate casinos
- USA Online Casinos — Full state-by-state guide hub
- New Jersey Gambling Guide — Neighboring state; legal iGaming since 2013
- Pennsylvania Gambling Guide — Neighboring state; legal iGaming since 2019
- Virginia Gambling Guide — Neighboring state; sports betting legal, iGaming not yet legal
- West Virginia Gambling Guide — Neighboring state; legal iGaming since 2020
- Delaware Gambling Guide — Neighboring state; small iGaming market
- Michigan Gambling Guide — Legal iGaming since 2021
- New York Gambling Guide — Sports betting legal; iGaming not yet legal
- Wild Casino Review — Likely accepts MD players; not MLGCA-licensed
- DraftKings Sportsbook Review — Active in Maryland; MLGCA-licensed
- FanDuel Sportsbook Review — Active in Maryland; MLGCA-licensed
Last verified: 2026-05-19 | Responsible Gambling Policy | How We Review
