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When thinking about gambling hotspots across North America, it’s fair to say that Maryland rarely springs to mind. However, this bustling state is actually home to a growing number of casino resorts. We’ve highlighted the best casino gaming options in the state, alongside taking a closer look at Maryland gambling history and legislature.
There are more than 500 Indian gaming establishments in the US, which are defined as casinos built on native land. They’re regulated under the 1988 India Gaming Regulatory Act and operated by a total of 246 regional tribes across the states. While there are no Indian casinos located in Maryland, you’ll have every chance to enjoy yourself at one of the state’s commercial resorts and racino hotspots.
Racinos
As the name suggests, a racino is categorized as a resort that combines a racetrack with additional casino facilities such as slots, table games and cash poker tournaments. These entities are obviously advantageous as they offer a more diverse range of betting verticals to punters, while the popular Ocean Downs racino in Berlin also boasts a bumper 5,000 seating capacity.
Are There Cruise Ship or Riverboat Casinos in Maryland?
Riverboat (or cruise ship) casinos are defined as resorts based on waterfronts, with a total of 53 dotted across just six US states. There are none located in Maryland and the nearest riverboat casino are located in Indiana, which is more than 590 miles away.
Full Maryland Casino List
Choose a City
Choose a Type
All Casinos in Baltimore
Hollywood Casino Perryville
1201 Chesapeake Overlook Pkwy, Baltimore, 21903
Commercial
Baltimore
Horseshoe Baltimore
1525 Russell St, Baltimore, 21230
Commercial
Baltimore
Live! Casino & Hotel
7002 Arundel Mills Cir #7777, Baltimore, 21076
Commercial
Baltimore
Rocky Gap Casino Resort
16701 Lakeview Rd NE, Flintstone, 21530
Commercial
Baltimore
All Casinos in Ocean City
Ocean Downs
10218 Racetrack Rd, Ocean City, 21811
Racinos
Ocean City
All Casinos in Washington
MGM National Harbor
101 MGM National Ave, Washington, 20745
Commercial
Washington
Expected New Casinos
There are six prime gambling towns in Maryland, but no immediate plans to build additional casino resorts in these locations or anywhere else within the state.
Gambling in Maryland
Maryland Gambling Topics
Gambling Facts for Maryland
Number of Casinos
6
Casino Types
Commercial, Racino
Casino Games Offered
Slots, Table Games, Poker Tournaments, Dice Games, Lottery Games,
Age
21+ for all casinos,
Smoking
Yes/No*, *Smoking inside is prohibited but there are external smoking areas in each Maryland casino
Drinking
Yes/No*, *Drinking while playing is allowed, but no free alcoholic drinks are served
Opening Hours
24/7, Some casinos are closed on Easter and Christmas. Check the brands pages for more info
Not all casinos or gambling laws are created equal in the states we explore, meaning that you’ll find different games depending on where you’re playing. In this section, we’ll address the full range of casino games that are legally available in Maryland.
Slot
Colossal Wizards
Li’l Red
Spartacus Gladiator of Rome
Forbidden Dragons
Queen of the Wild II
Lazer Lock Ice Sapphire
11600+ Slot Machines
Types: Traditional Reel, Video Reel, Video Poker Free Slot Tournaments
Slot Providers: WMS Gaming
Casino Poker
Let it Ride
Flop Poker
Limit Hold ‘em
No Limit Hold ‘em
Additional Details129 poker tables located across the state’s six casinos
Cash Poker & Tournaments
Crazy 4 Poke
Fortune Pai Gow
Sharp Shooter
Razz Limit Hold ‘em
NL Hold ’em
Roulette
American Roulette
European Roulette
Additional DetailsNo French roulette iterations available
Blackjack
Any 2 Card Blackjack
Spanish 21
Hand-Held Deck
Shoe Game
Single Deck
Double Deck
Dice Games
Craps
Sic Bo
Hazard
Chuck-A-Luck
Lottery Games
Keno
75 Ball Bingo
90 Ball Bingo
Daily Lotto Draws
Mini Lottos
Scratchers
Other Games
Electronic Craps
Electronic Blackjack
Electronic Roulette
Electronic 3-Card Poker
Sports Betting
Horse Racing
Additional DetailsWin, Place, Show, Superfecta wagers allowed at Oceans Downs
Gambling Legal Situation in Maryland
When was casino gambling legalized in Maryland? Casino gambling in Maryland was fully licensed and regulated in 2008, with the Hollywood Casino in Perryville the first resort to open its doors two years later.
Online gambling While there is a written bill that proposes the legalization of online gambling in Maryland, this has yet to be passed through the state senate.
What is the legal gambling age in Maryland? The legal gambling age in Maryland is 18 for lotteries and pari-mutuel wagering, while you must be 21 or older to enter or wager at a casino.
Can you smoke in Maryland Casinos? Smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas at four of the state’s six casinos. However, this practice is prohibited at the Hollywood Casino and Rocky Gap.
Horse racing / Off-Track betting: Maryland has a rich horse racing heritage, with this type of gambling first legalized way back in 1870. You can watch and bet on horse racing at the iconic Oceans Downs racino in the state.
Dog racing / Off-Track betting: Dog racing remains illegal in Maryland, so you won’t be able to engage in either live or off-track betting when visiting the state.
Maryland Charitable gaming: So-called ‘games of entertainment’ (such as bingo and raffles), are permitted so long as they’re carried out by licensed charitable organizations in the state of Maryland.
Other legal restrictions: Aside from the restrictions already listed here (such as age and laws pertaining to specific verticals), there are no other considerations from a player perspective.
Taxation of Winnings
Gambling in Maryland is subject to a 24% federal tax on gambling winnings. In addition, the Maryland state authority also applies a tax rate of 8.75% on their residents’ winnings of more than $5,000, so you’ll have to pay 32.75% of your cash haul to the state in some instances.
Prize ($)
Maryland Gross Income Tax (%)
$5000+ (any prize)
32.75% (24% Federal Tax and an 8.75% state tax)
Maryland Gambling Laws
Title 12, Subtitle 1, Section 1-102 et seq. The Maryland Code – Amended in 2008 This law, which was amended following a referendum in 2008, allowed for the development of licensed casino resorts in targeted locations
Title 10, Subtitle 5, Section 10-502 The Maryland Code – 1952 ‘Games of entertainment’ such as bingo and raffles are permitted in instances when they’re carried out by charitable organizations (1952).
Chapter 273, Acts of 1920 The Maryland Racing Commission Conceived in 1920, this law licenses all people to engage in pari-mutuel, satellite and simulcast betting on a host of different race types
History
1920: Maryland has always been synonymous with pari-mutuel horse racing wagering, with this practice having been regulated way back in 1870 and formally legalized in 1920. The state was also amongst the first to legalize bingo in the states (in 1952), although it should be noted that this discipline faces a number of restrictions and can only be conducted by charitable organizations.
1972: A state lottery in Maryland was fully legalized in 1972, and this remains available to all state residents aged 18 or over. Despite these positive legislative developments, however, the authority resisted the urge to regulate offline casino gambling for the remainder of the 20th century.
2008: This changed in 2008, however, when a constitutional referendum approved the installation of slot machines at five privately owned facilities in Maryland. This led to the opening of the state’s first fully-fledged casino in Perryville in 2010, while the remodeled Oceans Downs racino quickly followed during the next 12 months.
2012: A further referendum followed in 2012, in which voters approved the legalization of table games at all six Maryland casino resorts and the development of a sixth facility in Price George’s County (the MGM National Harbor, which subsequently opened its doors in December 2016).
Upcoming Changes in the Gambling Regulation
The gambling laws in Maryland seem relatively set and stable, particularly following the opening of the state’s sixth privately-owned casino location in Oxon Hill. The laws relating to horse racing betting are arguably even more secure, having remained largely unchanged since the formative years of the 20th century.
FAQ
Where Can you Find Casinos in Maryland?
There are five commercial casinos and one racino located in Maryland, with the cities of Baltimore, Hanover, Oxon Hill, Perryville, Berlin and Flinstone all represented.
Is there a new casino Opening soon in Maryland?
No, there are currently no plans to open a seventh casino resort or gambling hub in the state of Maryland.
Where Does the Revenue from Gambling Taxes go in Maryland?
24% of all gambling taxes are received by the federal government, while the Maryland state authority receives a flat rate levy of 8.75% on all prizes worth $5,000 or more.
How Much Tax Revenue Does Maryland Get from Gambling
The flat rate of Maryland tax (8.75%) is applied to all winnings of $5,000 or more, and this amount will go directly to the state Treasury.
Where Can I Get Help regarding Gambling Addiction?
If you find yourself developing signs of problem or compulsive gambling behavior, you can reach out to the Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling. You’ll find all the resources you need here.
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