Maryland casinos operate under the oversight of the Maryland Lottery. If you have any doubts about signing up for a specific site, we recommend contacting a local lawyer first. Many offshore gambling sites accept Maryland residents, arguing that online play isn’t prohibited by the current regulations. However, state laws don’t refer specifically to online gambling, and authorities have never attempted to pursue individuals who engage in real-money gaming on offshore sites.

Section 12 of the Maryland Code states that betting, wagering, or gambling with an unlicensed entity is illegal. Online casino gaming and poker are unregulated. State residents are free to engage in mobile sports betting, DFS, and parimutuel horse betting, more of which later. Sports betting, DFS, and horse race bettingġ8 for pari-mutuel, bingo, lottery games 21 for casinos, sports betting Business Regulations, Title 10, Subtitle 5, Section 10-502. and Maryland Business Regulations, Title 11, Subtitle 1, Section 11-101 et seq. Most matters related to unlawful gambling are covered by the Maryland Code, Criminal Law, Title 12, Subtitle 1, Section 1-102 et seq.

Certainly, state authorities have never prosecuted anyone for playing online and have shown no interest in doing so. Maryland Code Title 12-102 makes it clear that a person 'may not bet, wager or gamble.' But state laws do not specifically mention online gambling, and the jury's out on whether this can be applied to playing on the internet from the privacy of your own home. Under the new rules, anyone caught placing an unlawful bet could be subjected to a $500-$1,000 citation, depending on the amount of money on the line. In April 2019, Maryland lawmakers amended the regulations.

A misdemeanor charge, it carried a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail and a hefty fine. Until recently, the punishment for engaging in illegal gambling as a player was harsh. Maryland defines gambling as “wagering or betting in any manner to receive something of value dependent upon the result of any race, contest, or contingency.” Charitable bingo was legalized in 1952, and in 1973 Maryland residents voted in favor of establishing a state lottery.Ītlantic City-style brick and mortar casinos were approved in 2008, following a statewide referendum. The first races at the Pimlico Race Course were held in the 1740s, and the industry was allowed to operate with no dedicated regulations until 1870. Maryland can be considered a regional gambling hotspot, especially when it comes to horse racing and tournament poker.

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