Best Maryland Online Casinos 2025
Maryland has over 300 years of gambling history, with the first documented form of gambling lotteries held in the 1700s. There are six land-based casinos in modern Maryland, but online casinos are still restricted. While this is true for real money play, you can use sweepstakes to play casino games for fun.
Read our complete guide to Maryland online casinos to learn more about these platforms, including the best operators, how to register, and the best land-based casinos in the state.
Our Top Five Recommended Maryland Casinos
What Other Online Casinos Will Open in Maryland in the Future?
Each land-based casino is allowed several online partners, creating space for more operators to join the current 30 online casinos in the state. PlayStar Casino partnered with Ocean Casino Resort as one of the most recent online casinos to join the Maryland space.
Play 17,000+ Free Casino Games
Top Legal Games to Play at Maryland Online Casinos
As one of the country’s most welcoming states to gambling, it is no surprise that Maryland has one of the widest ranges of legal games in the US. Maryland also joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement to allow online poker fans to join games and compete against players from different states.
Best Casino Games to Win Real Money in Maryland
While Maryland sweepstakes casinos might not support real-money gaming, you can still enjoy playing with Sweepstakes Coins, which you can exchange for prizes. Playing games with high RTPs like those listed below is a good idea to give you the best shot of winning SC.
Slots
Blackjack
Roulette
Live Dealer
Crash Games
Card Games
Baccarat
Arcade
Bingo
Casual Games
Craps
Dice Games
Fish Shooting
Game Shows
Instant Games
Instant Tap
Keno
Other
Scratch Cards
Slingo
Table Games
Video Poker
Virtual Sports
Spinmatic
Amatic Industries
Barcrest Games
Spinmatic
SmartSoft Gaming
Casino Web Scripts
How to Win Real Money on Casino Games in Maryland
RTP indicates how much a slot will likely pay back over time. For example, if the RTP is 96% and you spend $100, the slot will likely pay back $96 over time. Of course, fair games are random on every spin so that you could win more or less than this amount. It’s just an average estimated by millions of simulated spins.
For example, a game with a 98% RTP will pay out $0.98 for every $1 wagered. Games with high RTPs payout more on average in the long run. However, all games run on Random Number Generators (RNG), so each return may vary. Most online slots range from 92% % to 99% RTP, while table games typically start at around 98%.
Maryland Online Gambling Overview
Maryland Gambling Law
Maryland mirrors other states in terms of its established gambling laws. Legal online gambling options include sports betting, lotteries, and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). However, real-money online casino gaming in all its forms remains illegal.
The recent introduction of House Bill 17, which would legalize online casinos in Maryland, could change the entire landscape if approved. House Bill 17 is currently going through the standard governmental process in Maryland. It would grant all existing physical casinos and partners a license to launch a real-money online casino in the state.
How to Play With Maryland Casinos
Before signing up with any Maryland online casino, you should assess the safety of the respective site. We advise sticking with sites already vetted by experts - such as those we've recommended above. If you venture away from such platforms, look at the site owner/operator and search for reviews from current and previous customers for safety verification.
Once you're comfortable that a site is safe and secure, you can then successfully register by following these standard steps:
- Visit the homepage and click the sign-up/register link.
- Provide required details such as name, address, email, etc.
- Choose a username and password and add any additional security information.
- Create your username and password.
- Agree to the terms and conditions and choose your welcome offer (if available).
- Sign in and redeem your welcome bonus to play top games.
Accepted Maryland Online Casino Banking Methods
Since we are discussing sweepstakes casinos in Maryland, we must point out that payment methods aren't used for deposits. Instead, they are used to pay for coin packages. You can make prize redemptions if you are lucky enough to rack up SC.
Standard methods you can use for both payments and withdrawals include debit/credit cards, e-wallets like Skrill and PayPal, prepaid cards, and bank transfers, as confirmed by the following table:
| Payment Method | Deposits/Purchases? | Withdrawals/Redemptions? |
|---|---|---|
MasterCard
| Yes | Yes |
Visa
| Yes | Yes |
American Express
| Yes | No |
Discover
| Yes | Yes |
Venmo
| Yes | Bo |
Online Bank Transfer
| Yes | Yes |
PayPal
| Yes | Yes |
Prepaid Card
| Yes | No |
Neteller
| Yes | Yes |
Cash at the Cage
| Yes | Yes |
ACH eCheck
| No | Yes |
Who Can Play at Maryland Online Casinos?
If Maryland had real money online casinos, you'd have to be 21+ to sign up and play legally. For social casinos in Maryland, you only need to be 18+. Some sweepstakes may have rules requiring you to be older, so check before playing.
You must be an MD resident to sign up and play at sweepstakes casinos. When registering, you may need proof of your age and residency, although not all sweepstakes require this.
What Legal Requirements Must Players Meet for Maryland Casinos?
Regarding retail casinos in Maryland, you must be 21+ to enter the establishment and gamble. However, you don't have to be a Maryland resident to play the games at retail casinos. Instead, anyone passing through the state who is of legal age and isn’t on a self-exclusion list can enjoy in-person real-money casino games.
Who Regulates Online Casinos in Maryland?
Technically, there is no regulatory body for the time being. If this changes, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) would become the regulator by default. This agency already oversees retail casinos and online sports betting in MD.
The regulator’s responsibilities include issuing licenses to gambling operators, monitoring DFS competitions, regulating sports betting providers, and operating the Maryland Lottery. These responsibilities relate to ensuring a safe and fair environment for all Maryland-based gamblers.
Maryland Casino Apps for Players
Although most sweepstakes casinos in Maryland support mobile gaming through optimized mobile sites, some top brands allow you to play through a mobile app. Sometimes, you can unlock exclusive promotions and perks through these platforms.
As for the Maryland sweepstakes casinos with the best mobile apps, we've listed them in the following table:
Maryland Casino Apps for Android
Maryland Casino Apps for iOS
History of Online Gambling Laws In Maryland
Maryland has had favorable laws towards gambling that date back to the 1700s. Back then, the main activities involved lottery play and horse racing, yet regulation wasn't well-established. However, from the 1920s onwards, regulation became far more formalized, and the overall gambling landscape started to take shape. Here are some key landmarks:
Timeline for Online Casino Gambling in Maryland
1920
The Maryland Racing Commission is established to oversee pari-mutuel horse racing betting.
1973
After Maryland residents approved a constitutional amendment in 1972, the Maryland Lottery launched in January 1973.
2008
Maryland votes to amend the constitution to approve slot machines.
2010
Hollywood Casino Perryville opens as MD's first legal land-based casino.
2012
Maryland lawmakers legalize table games.
2021
After voter approval in 2020, lawmakers drafted HB 940 to legalize online and retail sports betting in Maryland.
Legal vs Offshore Casinos in Maryland: What’s the Difference?
There is a key difference between legal casinos operating within Maryland and those classified as offshore casinos. Maryland sweepstakes casinos are sites that accept players in MD and allow them to play casino games safely for fun.
In contrast, offshore sites don't have licensing and operate illegally in Maryland, providing real-money gaming. If anything goes wrong, you have no protection from US regulators, so there is no guarantee that those sites will process your payments fairly or offer unbiased games.
What are the Best Land-Based Casinos in Maryland?
Land-based casinos in Maryland first emerged in 2010. The first to launch was the Hollywood Casino Perryville, while the most recent casino was the MGM National Harbor, which launched in 2016. Maryland has six land-based casinos, each serving a blend of slots, table games, poker, and other popular gaming categories—all regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
Hollywood Casino Perryville
As the first land-based casino to launch in Maryland, the Hollywood Casino Perryville was a true trailblazer. It launched in 2010 and now offers over 800 slots and table games. Additionally, this casino offers live poker and off-track betting.
Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
The Horseshoe Casino Baltimore launched in August 2014. Quite amazingly, this casino has well over 2,200 games, including high-roller slots where you can wager up to $500 per spin. For true poker enthusiasts, the fact that the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore has 22 World Series of Poker rooms puts it at the top of the list for card players.
Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland
It would be unfair if we didn't draw attention to the casino with the most slot games in the state. The Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland has more than 4,000 slot games available, and with 200+ table games backing this up, the diversity of its offerings is fantastic. Furthermore, when it comes to the most immersive experiences, you can't go far wrong here since this location has the largest casino floor in the state.
FAQs
Are online casinos legal in Maryland?
Real-money online casinos in Maryland are not legal. However, sweepstakes casinos in Maryland allow players to sign up and play for fun.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland sweepstakes casinos are not prohibited, and you can register and play at these platforms as long as you are 18+ and an MD resident.
What are the best online casinos in Maryland?
Some of the best Maryland online casinos include Hello Millions, High 5 Casino, and WOW Vegas Casino.
Are Maryland online casinos safe?
Yes. Maryland casinos are safe if you sign up with vetted sites like those we've shortlisted above. However, safety is not guaranteed if you venture outside of casinos based outside of Maryland.
Can I claim bonuses at Maryland casinos?
Yes. As demonstrated by our recommended Maryland sweepstakes casinos, you can claim bonuses on these sites.
