Best Maryland Online Casinos | June 2024
Setting the stage for Maryland online casinos, the online sports betting legalization process in the Old Line State began with a sports betting measure in November 2020. Maryland residents approved the measure, 67.07% to 32.93%.
Maryland voters joined nearby states that legalized sports betting in 2018, including Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Lawmakers in Virginia legalized sports betting in April 2020.
Maryland online sports betting launched in November 2022. Top online gambling companies (online sportsbooks) included BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, and FanDuel.
Legislation associated with MD online casinos remains prohibitive in the State Legislature.
MD ONLINE CASINOS
| 📖 Does Maryland have online casinos? | No |
| 🎰 Are social casinos legal in Maryland? | Yes |
| 🎂 Legal gambling age in Maryland | 21+ |
| 🗓️ Possible MD online casino launch dates | 2025/2026 |
| 🎲 Maryland social casino games available | Slots, Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, more! |
Maryland online casinos are likely a thing of the future, and legal online casinos in the state are not part of the present.
There are social casinos and sweepstakes casinos that are available to be played at in the state at this time, though.
Social casinos are fun online places with games like those at online casinos, but users often win prizes like "coins" instead of money. Sweepstakes casinos are similar to social casinos.
Some of our favorite social casinos are listed below:
MCLUCK SOCIAL CASINO
One of the newer additions to the social casino lineup, McLuck Social Casino offers a lot of variety for a younger brand. They've even got live dealer games like live roulette, which are rare to find on social casinos like this one.
It's among the best social casinos out there right now not only for variety but because it's a clean platform that doesn't bombard you with high-viz graphics and a bunch of calls to buy more credits. If you want to play social casino games in a comfortable and safe environment, check out McLuck, and secure their promo:
Sign Up and Get 7,500 Gold Coins + 2.5 free Sweepstakes Coins + 150% Extra Coins!
HIGH 5 SOCIAL CASINO
Owned and operated by High 5 Games, the High 5 Casino offers nearly three decades of experience creating online casino games.
We rank it as one of the top sweepstakes casino sites for its generous welcome bonus where players can get FREE 5 Sweeps Coins, 250 Game Coins and 600 Diamonds!
WOW VEGAS
If you like to play online slots, WOW Vegas offers 700 casino-style games. Enjoy their welcome offer of Get 1.5 Million WOW Coins + 30 Sweepstakes Coins for just $9.99!
There are hundreds of online slots from top software providers, including Habanero and Pragmatic Play, which you may find at Maryland online casinos once an online casino bill gets approved by the Legislature and Maryland residents.
PULSZ CASINO
First-time players at Maryland online casinos can try online gambling at the Pulsz Casino.
We rank Pulsz as one of our top sweepstakes casinos and legal and licensed offshore casino sites for its robust welcome bonus of Get up to 367,000 Gold Coins + 32.3 FREE Sweepstakes Coins, eligible to play at over 700 social casino games.
MARYLAND ONLINE CASINO LEGALIZATION
As of 2024, six Maryland casinos are acting as strictly land-based casinos, with Hollywood Casino Perryville (Penn National Gaming) as the first to open in September 2010.
Hollywood Casino Perryville offers over 800 video lottery terminals (VLTs), 1,500 slot machines, and 20 table games (live dealer games).
Other brick-and-mortar casinos in Maryland include:
- Ocean Downs (Berlin) - opened in January 2011
- Live! Casino & Hotel (Hanover) - opened in June 2012
- Rocky Gap Casino Resort (Flintstone) - opened in May 2013
- Horseshoe Casino Baltimore - opened in August 2014
- MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino (Oxon Hill) - opened in December 2016
ONLINE CASINO GAMBLING: ONGOING LEGALIZATION PROCESS OF MD ONLINE CASINOS
Online gambling at legal online casinos in Maryland requires a constitutional amendment approved by Maryland voters. Various online casino bill initiatives in the state’s House and Senate continue to stall in committee.
Dissenting voices regarding online casino gambling are concerned with problem gambling and the “cannibalization” of casinos in Maryland—specifically, Live! Casino owners and Ocean Downs Casino and Racetrack (horse racing).
That led to a $10 million Video Lottery Facility Displacement Fund in pending legislation for land-based casinos in Maryland, should employees require compensation after getting displaced by legal online casinos.
BUILDING UPON ONLINE SPORTS BETTING: HB1319, SB0565, AND SB0603
Proponents from Hollywood Casino Perryville, MGM National Harbor, Rocky Gap Casino Resort, and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore advocated for HB1319 in February for online casinos to become legal in Maryland.
Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary sponsored the Maryland online casino gambling bill, which ultimately passed (92 to 43) on March 16, two days before a deadline to reach the Senate.
However, a Senate Budget and Taxation Committee hearing on March 26 didn’t garner any support for HB1319, one of the best chances to legalize online casinos in Maryland in 2024.
Other Maryland online casino bills include SB0565 (Internet Gaming - Authorization and Implementation) and SB0603 (Expansion of Commercial Gaming - Internet Gaming Referendum), sponsored by State Senator Ron Watson in January and remain in committee.
FUTURE OF MARYLAND ONLINE CASINOS: NOVEMBER 2024 BALLOT MEASURE AND BEYOND
The current legislative session in Maryland adjourned on April 8th, and a Maryland online casinos bill did not make it. So, the online gambling ballot measure in November 2024 that could've made online casinos legal under the oversight of the Maryland lottery, has failed.
And since the public has to vote on the legalization of Maryland online casinos, it is looking like 2026 is the closest date for the state to hold that vote.
With revenue projections as high as $1 billion by 2029 for Maryland online casinos, it may only be a matter of time before players can legally play online casino games at online casinos.
Experts think that could put the state on the path to competing with nearby legal online casino states, and commercial gaming revenue in top casino destinations like Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
For now, we recommend players avoid offshore sites and prepare for real-money online casinos by playing casino games at social and sweepstakes casinos, which are legal in Maryland.
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR A MARYLAND ONLINE CASINO
While you wait for Maryland online casinos to become legal, we’ll help you with how to gamble online by first signing up for a new account.
You can choose a popular option from our list of recommended real-money online casinos to play slots and other Maryland online casino games—like table games, online poker, and live dealer games.
REGISTER FOR AN ACCOUNT
Once you’ve selected an option from our list of online real-money casinos legal in Maryland, click ‘Sign Up’ or ‘Register.’
Most online casinos require new players to provide personal information such as:
- Name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Cell phone number
- The last four digits of your SSN (Social Security Number)
You may also provide a promo code associated with a welcome bonus (like a deposit bonus) and a username and password.
VERIFY YOUR IDENTITY AND LOCATION
Unlike retail casinos, poker rooms, or lottery games (and offshore casinos), state laws require online casinos to verify a player’s identity and location before players can place a wager at table games, live dealer games, virtual slot machines, and other casino games.
If you use an online casino site to sign up for an account, you must download a geolocation plugin to confirm your location in a legal jurisdiction.
Online casino mobile apps use your phone’s location settings to determine your location, akin to verifying your account with multi-factor authentication and eligible documents like a government-issued ID or a utility bill.
MAKE YOUR FIRST DEPOSIT
To receive a deposit match bonus or win cash prizes at MD online casinos, you must first make a deposit.
Click ‘Cashier’ and ‘Deposit’ from your account dashboard and follow the on-screen instructions for some of these standard payment methods:
- Online banking - (ACH, VIP Preferred, e-check, wire transfer, etc.)
- Debit cards - (credit cards may be illegal at Maryland online casinos)
- Play+ card
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- PayNearMe
- Cash at Cage - (retail casinos)
POPULAR ONLINE CASINO GAMES IN MD
Gaming space limits land-based casinos and their slot machines and table games selection.
Players at the best online casinos can choose from thousands of slots and dozens of table games, with some platforms even offering online poker, an integrated sportsbook, and options for betting on horse racing—right from a computer or smartphone.
For a top-notch online casino experience, players can try authentic slots from the iGaming industry’s most popular software providers, classic table games with unique variants, and live dealer games for cash prizes like you were playing at the MGM National Harbor.
SLOTS
The best Maryland online casino most likely provides thousands of slots, including jackpots and exclusives. Minimum bets may range from $0.10 to $500 per spin.
Here are some of the featured slots at top online casinos:
- 88 Fortunes
- Almighty Buffalo Megaways
- Bonanza Megaways
- Capital Gains
- Cash Eruption
- Cash Machine
- Cleopatra
- Fortune Coin
- Triple Jackpot Gems
- Wheel of Fortune Triple Extreme Spin
POKER
Poker games (table games) fall into various categories, including draw and stud.
Some online casino companies also offer separate poker software to play cash games and multi-table tournaments against other players in legal jurisdictions.
For video poker, you can choose from IGT’s nine variants, including Jacks Or Better, Bonus Poker, and Deuces Wild—and play up to ten hands simultaneously.
There are also live dealer poker games, like Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud Poker, and Three Card Poker.
Here are a few virtual poker titles that may one day be legal in Maryland:
- Casino Stud
- Casino War
- Destiny Poker
- DJ Wild Poker
- Fortune Pai Gow Poker
- Four Card Poker
- I Luv Suits
- Let It Ride
- Mississippi Stud
- Texas Hold’Em Plus
BLACKJACK
Blackjack draws most of the betting volume at legal online casinos besides virtual slot machines.
A handful of different variants offer some of the most favorable return-to-player (RTP) averages of about 99.5% or better. Live dealer blackjack games from Evolution Gaming are also available 24/7.
Here are a few blackjack options from top software providers, which you can play for under $1 per hand or as much as $10,000:
- Blackjack with Surrender
- Blazing Blackjack 7's
- Blackjack Poker & Pairs (also with Surrender)
- Blackjack Xchange
- Multi-Hand Blackjack (also with Surrender)
- First Person Blackjack
- Lightning Blackjack
- Live Dealer - High Limit Blackjack
- Premium Blackjack Pro
- Speed Blackjack
ROULETTE
Virtual roulette is another top option among table games at online casinos.
While it’s not the best choice for using your welcome bonus (nor is there any ‘roulette loyalty program’), players can try entertaining variants suitable for any bankroll or betting style.
Here are a few of the most popular roulette titles that may eventually be available (under the auspices of the Maryland State Lottery) for $0.01 to $10,000 per spin:
- 100/1 Roulette
- Auto Roulette (also with American Roulette and Lightning Roulette)
- American Roulette
- European Roulette
- Double Bonus Spin Roulette
- French Roulette
- First Person Roulette (also with American Roulette and Lightning Roulette)
- Live Dealer - Casino Floor Roulette
- Space Invaders Roulette
- VIP European Roulette
Pro tip: We recommend playing European or French Roulette, which offers a higher RTP of about 97.30% compared to 94.74% in American Roulette.
MARYLAND ONLINE CASINO BONUSES
MARYLAND ONLINE CASINO BONUSES & PROMOTIONS
Online casinos offer bonuses to attract new players in a fiercely competitive market. Social casinos also provide daily free coins (like daily free Sweepstakes Coins).
Daily login bonuses, like a welcome bonus at a real-money online casino, encourage first-time players to start with a deposit to try and win cash prizes.
WELCOME BONUS
A welcome bonus is an introductory offer for first-time players.
Welcome bonuses might come as a deposit bonus, free spins, or a cash-back offer to reimburse any net losses within your first 24 hours.
DEPOSIT MATCH
A deposit match is a welcome bonus that “matches” your first deposit up to a certain amount (i.e., a 100% deposit match up to $1,000).
These bonuses include wagering requirements stipulating how much a player must bet to “unlock” their bonus into withdrawable cash.
FREE SPINS
Some online casinos offer free spins to new users, which are typically eligible for specific games.
Playthrough amounts (wagering requirements) attached to free spins are often lower than a deposit match.
So, if you see a free spins bonus, we recommend taking advantage of it, like buying lottery tickets through the Maryland lottery but with way better odds of winning.
RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING IN MARYLAND
Responsible Gambling (RG) in Maryland means providing resources for online players so they can learn about the risks associated with problem gambling.
Each online casino offers an RG section with online tutorials, overviews of problem gambling signs, and how to set limits, take a break, or place yourself on a self-exclusion list.
Here are a few websites or numbers players can use to get help, if necessary:
- Maryland Alliance for RG: 1-800-GAMBLER (https://www.mdgamblinghelp.org/)
- Gamblers Anonymous: In-person, virtual, and phone meetings available - isomain@gamblersanonymous.org (https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/?q=locations)
- National Council on Problem Gambling: NCPG@NCPGambling.org (https://www.ncpgambling.org/ncpg/)
- The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling: Live chat available (https://www.mdproblemgambling.com/)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MARYLAND ONLINE CASINOS
Below, we've compiled some common questions and answers about online casinos in Maryland. Here is our Maryland online casino FAQ.
WHAT LEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING OPTIONS ARE THERE IN MARYLAND?
If you’re wondering, "Are online casinos legal in Maryland?" The answer is no. As of early 2024, only sweepstakes and social casinos are legal in Maryland. Top options include the High 5 Casino, WOW Vegas, and Pulsz Casino. We recommend avoiding offshore sites that pose as real-money online casinos since they operate in a legal gray area, while social casinos are legal in the U.S.
HOW DO MARYLAND ONLINE CASINOS COMPARE TO OTHER US STATES?
Maryland borders three states with legal online casinos (Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia) and resides near three legal jurisdictions (New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island). While sweepstakes casinos are legal in over 40 states, including Maryland, it might only be a matter of time before the Old Line state legalizes online casinos. Players should avoid offshore gambling sites (offshore casinos) that operate in a legal gray area in the U.S.
WHEN WILL MARYLAND LEGALIZE ONLINE GAMBLING?
Since legalizing and launching retail and online sports wagering between 2020 and 2022, Maryland lawmakers continue to debate internet gaming. The state failed to pass any legislation during the legislative session, which adjourned on April 8, 2024, so voters aren't getting the chance to approve online casinos with a ballot measure in November.
CAN I WIN REAL MONEY PLAYING AT MARYLAND ONLINE CASINOS?
Yes, like buying lottery tickets, you can win real money at iGaming casinos once Maryland passes proper legislation; online casino companies may partner with brick-and-mortar casinos in Maryland (like MGM National Harbor and Ocean Downs) to offer casino games via platforms and mobile apps. The Maryland State Lottery may issue licensing and provide regulatory oversight to ensure games remain fair with reliable customer payouts.
WHAT IS THE LEGAL GAMBLING AGE IN MARYLAND?
To gamble at casinos in Maryland, players must be 21 or older. However, pari-mutuel betting (horse racing) only requires a minimum age of 18—the same legal age for social casinos like High 5, WOW Vegas, and Pulsz.