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 |
| Sweepstakes Casinos | ❌ BANNED — HB 1226 (March 2026) |
| 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 wagering launched in November 2022. As of 2026, 12 licensed online sportsbooks operate in the state.
- Land-based casino gaming is legal at 6 MLGCA-licensed properties, including MGM National Harbor and Live! Casino & Hotel.
- Daily Fantasy Sports is legal. DraftKings and FanDuel both accept Maryland players.
- Horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering is legal at licensed tracks.
- State Lottery products are available to adults 18 and older.
What’s Not Legal
- Online casino gaming (iGaming) is NOT legal in Maryland. Maryland’s constitution requires any expansion of commercial gaming to be approved by statewide voter referendum. The legislature cannot legalize iGaming on its own. No referendum confirmed for November 2026 as of May 2026. The earliest possible launch is 2027 at the absolute earliest.
- Online poker is not available from any state-licensed operator.
- Sweepstakes casinos were banned under HB 1226, which passed the Maryland House in March 2026.
Key Legislation
| Bill / Law | Year | What It Did |
|---|---|---|
| Question 2 — Ballot Referendum | November 2020 | Maryland voters approved sports betting by ~2:1 margin |
| HB0940 — Sports Betting Enabling Legislation | May 2021 | Created SWARC; established MLGCA authority; authorized up to 60 online licenses; mobile wagering launched November 2022 |
| SB 306 — iGaming Bill | 2024 (failed) | Online casino bill failed on last day of 2024 session; would have put referendum on November 2026 ballot |
| HB 1226 — Sweepstakes Casino Ban | March 2026 | Banned sweepstakes casinos in Maryland; signals cautious regulatory environment |
Regulatory Structure
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) oversees all casino gaming and sports wagering in Maryland.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | mdgaming.com |
| Complaint form | mdgaming.com/marylands-casinos/compliance/casino-complaint-form/ |
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.
| Operator | Status |
|---|---|
| Bally Bet | Active (launched 2024) |
| bet365 | Active |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | Active |
| BetPARX Sportsbook | Active |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Active |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Active |
| Crab Sports Maryland | Active (Maryland-specific brand) |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Active |
| ESPN Bet Sportsbook | Active |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Active |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Active |
| LetsBetMD Sportsbook | Active (launched 2024) |
Departed operators: PointsBet exited January 30, 2024. SuperBook Sportsbook also exited Maryland in 2024.
Land-Based Casinos
Maryland has 6 licensed casino properties, all regulated by the MLGCA. All opened between 2010 and 2016.
| 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 |
Offshore Online Casinos
Players in Maryland may seek offshore online casinos, though these operate outside state regulation. Maryland players face significant restrictions at most major offshore sites.
CRITICAL: 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) likely accepts Maryland players, but verify directly before use.
| 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. Verify before use. |
| Ignition Casino | ❌ Does NOT accept MD players | Same 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 |
Offshore platforms operate outside Maryland law and MLGCA oversight. Players use them at their own risk and have no legal recourse in Maryland.
Responsible Gambling
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| Maryland Problem Gambling Helpline | 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) — 24/7, no cost |
| MLGCA Responsible Gambling | mdgaming.com/welcome/responsible-gambling/ |
| National Council on Problem Gambling | ncpgambling.org |
| SAMHSA Helpline | 1-800-662-4357 |
Self-Exclusion
Maryland has a self-exclusion program through the MLGCA covering all licensed casinos and sports wagering operators. Visit mdgaming.com or call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) for enrollment.
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. Maryland’s constitution requires any casino gaming expansion to be approved by a statewide voter referendum. No referendum was confirmed for November 2026 as of May 2026, putting the earliest possible launch at 2027 or later.
Can I bet on sports online in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland has 12 active licensed online sportsbooks: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, BetRivers, BetPARX, Crab Sports Maryland, LetsBetMD, and Bally Bet. You must be 21+ and physically located in Maryland.
Will Maryland ever legalize online casino gaming?
Possibly, but not soon. Maryland’s constitution requires a statewide voter referendum for any commercial gaming expansion. An iGaming bill (SB 306) failed in the 2024 session. No referendum was confirmed for November 2026. The earliest launch would be 2027 or later. Maryland also banned 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 (not affiliated with the Bovada network) likely accepts Maryland players, but verify directly before use. 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, Rocky Gap Casino Resort, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, and MGM National Harbor. All are regulated by the 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.
Does Maryland have a self-exclusion program?
Yes. Maryland has a self-exclusion program through the MLGCA covering all licensed casinos and sports wagering operators. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) — 24/7, no cost to Maryland residents.
Related Guides
- USA Online Casinos — Full state-by-state guide hub
- New Jersey — Legal iGaming since 2013
- Pennsylvania — Legal iGaming since 2019
- West Virginia — Legal iGaming since 2020
- Virginia — Neighboring state; sports betting legal
- Delaware — Neighboring state; small iGaming market
- Wild Casino Review — Likely accepts MD players
- Responsible Gambling Policy
Last verified: 2026-05-19 | Responsible Gambling Policy | How We Review
