Updated on: January 6th, 2025
The Maryland Gambling industry has been booming for many years. Horse race betting is incredibly popular in the state. There are currently six fully operational casinos in Maryland that offer customers the opportunity to play electronic games, as well as live table games. Out of the six casinos, Ocean Downs Casino is the only one that doesn’t offer table games just yet.
Information about the different payback percentages for electronic gaming equipment at Maryland Casinos is not readily available for players to view. But it’s generally required that electronic gaming machines have a minimum payback of 87%, while all other machines must have an average payback of 90% to 95%. Maryland is an exception; many other states release payback statistics and make it public information.
One other aspect that sets Maryland casinos apart from casinos in other USA states is the fact that no alcohol is served there. This rule is according to state regulation. Smoking is also banned in all Maryland casinos.
The minimum gambling age in Maryland is 21 years, while pari-mutual games allow bettors from the age of 18. Its casinos are open 24 hours, which means you have unlimited access to all its games. This rule applies unless there’s a notice that states otherwise.
Maryland Casino Games
Every state casino wants to be successful and wants to have hundreds of players coming through its doors every day. Casinos in the USA have therefore made every effort to offer all the popular casino games that players love. The casino is open 24 hours, and therefore its games are available around the clock as well. Here are the casino games available at Maryland casinos: Slot machine games, video keno, video poker, craps games, blackjack, roulette and three-card poker.
There are also additional games open to all players. These elective games include other casino favorites like let it ride, baccarat, pai gow poker, Mississippi stud, poker, 4 card poker, big 6 as well as Texas hold em’ games.
List of Maryland Casinos
It’s great to know what games are available, but it’s even more necessary to know the names of the casinos that offer them. We mentioned previously that there are only six casinos in Maryland; they include:
- Rocky Gap Casino Resort
- Live! Casino Hotel, Maryland
- Casino at Ocean Downs
- Hollywood Casino Perryville
- Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
- MGM National Harbor
Maryland Casino Laws
Maryland is in the USA, and because of this, you can expect the rules, laws and regulation regarding gambling to be super tight. The US has a reputation for imposing heavy legislature on the industry, especially with online gambling. We have a breakdown of all the important laws below to make it easier for you. It’s vital that you familiarise yourself with the rules to avoid transgressing and possibly landing yourself in big trouble.
- Maryland residents may not possess any gambling device; this includes water vessels that travel abroad.
- Charities that would like to host casino games as part of a fundraising initiative must register the event with local authorities. The only games allowed for such purposes include raffles, bingo, paddlewheels and wheel of fortune games. Charity organizations are permitted only two raffles a year, and bingo players may not buy more than 54 tickets in a single sitting.
- Maryland casinos can only operate under a local referendum.
- The tax rate on all slot machines at any Maryland casino is 67%, while the tax rate on table games and live poker is 20%.
- Maryland gambling law states that all forms of horseracing are legal in the state, but forbids greyhound racing.
- Race tracks are permitted to offer live racing and racebooks.
- All registered racing companies can accept bets through mobile apps as well as online.
- Maryland lottery can distribute scratch off tickets and can also host lotto draws. Lottery tickets, however, cannot be sold over the internet.
- Fantasy sports is legalized in Maryland.
History of Gambling in Maryland
The first form of gambling ever recognized in Maryland is horseracing, and that dates back to the 18th century. The first horseracing organization was founded in 1743 and was named The Maryland Jockey Club.
The organization held its first few races at the Pimlico Race Course. The club still exists today and is now home of The Preakness. Regular racing only became legal by law in 1870.
Pari-mutual betting pools were invented and legalized by law around the same time. Off-track betting in Maryland was first approved in 1988.
Gambling in Maryland FAQs
There are currently two thoroughbred mile tracks in Maryland, Laurel and Pimlico. There’s also one-half mile track, called Timonium as well as one steeplechase track called Fair Hill. In addition to this, there’s also two standardbred tracks known as Ocean Downs and Rosecroft.
Yes, they are. There are currently six casinos that operate in the state.
All forms of online gambling are not yet officially legalized, with the exception of fantasy sports and off-track betting. These are playable online and on mobile.
From the best of our knowledge, all fantasy sites accept players from the state of Maryland. Examples of these fantasy sites include CBS Sports, Yahoo, DraftKings, StarsDraft, Star Fantasy and FanDuel.
Every state has its own requirements, in Maryland the legal age for games like bingo, the lottery and racing is 18 years. But, you must be at least 21 years old to gamble at a casino.
Maryland casinos offer various casino games for you to choose from. Scroll up to our game section to see what they are.
