1. Is Online Betting Legal
2. Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Maryland
3. Is Online Betting Legal In Maryland
4. Online Betting Legal States
5. Online Sports Betting Legal States
6. Legal Online Betting Sites
7. Online Sports Betting In Maryland

Much like every state looking to legalize sports betting, Maryland had flirted with the idea ever since the 2018 US Supreme Court decision. After all, Maryland does have other forms of gambling at horse racing tracks and brick-and-mortar casinos.

From a domestic standpoint, it is not legal to own or operate an online gambling site in the state of Maryland, but licensed and regulated offshore gambling operators are in the clear. Legal Maryland Online Gambling Sites These gambling websites listed below are. The Current Online Sports Betting Situation in Maryland As we mentioned before, right now you can’t bet on sports in Maryland right now, but you will be able to soon. That doesn’t mean the state is opposed to traditional gambling, however. Marylanders wanting to engage in sports betting will have to wait even though they voted to legalize.

1. Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Maryland If you live in Maryland, there are no land-based sportsbooks that will let you bet on the states many college and pro sports teams. That’s the main reason you might turn to an Internet sportsbook.
2. Pennsylvania online gambling has reached biggest success within public, promoting numerous events and games. It is 100% legal and secure. If Vegas is mecca for rich people, spending thousands on hotel, planes and restaurants, we can call PA online gambling is a starting point for everyone.
3. Online gambling is legal in the state of Maryland, however, lawmakers have found a way to restrict such activity by making the deposit and withdraw options for players limited. Online gambling sites too have found a way to meet the needs of their players, by offering alternative banking methods for USA players. Legal Online Casinos In Maryland.

Finally, sports betting at those casinos is on the way, as voters voted yes on the legal sports betting question on the November 2020 ballot.

Latest updates

Last updated: Dec. 17, 2020

Is Online Betting Legal

Penn National Gaming secured operations to Hollywood Casino Perryville for $31.1 million in cash. The plan is to launch a Barstool Sportsbook, both retail and online, pending regulatory approval.

Voters in Maryland said “yes” to legal sports betting in the Nov. 3 elections. Question 2 on the ballot posed legalizing wagering in the state, with the purpose of raising money for local education. Now that it’s a done deal, in all reality, Maryland sports betting could begin in 2021. It all depends on how fast details can get hammered out and when the first bets will actually be taken.

When will Maryland sports betting launch?

The sports betting gears were turning very slowly in Maryland.

After the Maryland Senate passed a full-fledged sports betting bill, the House opted to strip all the language regarding how sports betting would be conducted.

Because of this, voters had to approve sports betting via a November 2020 ballot initiative. They were asked this question:

“Do you favor the expansion of commercial gaming in the State of Maryland to authorize sports and event betting for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education?”

Now that it has passed with a legal vote, conservative guesses would say that sports betting could launch sometime in late 2021.

Remember, lawmakers still have to sit down in 2021 and plan out exactly how sports betting will function in the state. There are regulations, rules, and decisions to make on licenses, plus a whole host of details to be worked out.

Where will I be able to make legal sports bets in Maryland?

Sports betting traditionally operates via two outlets: physical retail locations and mobile/online wagering.

Maryland is in a perfect position for both. The state has six casinos, three racetracks and several gambling operators that would love a crack at the online market.

Retail locations

As mentioned, Maryland has six land-based casinos, all of which would be capable of opening a retail sportsbook.

• Maryland Live! Casino
• MGM National Harbor
• Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
• Hollywood Casino Perryville
• Ocean Downs
• Rocky Gap Casino Resort

Additionally, there are three racetracks capable of opening sportsbooks.

• Pimlico Race Course
• Laurel Park
• Timonium at Maryland State Fairgrounds

Mobile sports betting apps

Usually, when a property opens a retail sportsbook, it tends to launch a companion app. There are six gambling operators in the state that could go at it alone or partner with other companies to launch apps.

• Caesars Entertainment
• Gaming and Leisure Properties
• Golden Entertainment
• MGM Resorts International
• Saratoga Casino Holdings
• The Cordish Companies

Of course, these are all hypotheticals. Ultimately, who can and will operate sports betting will be determined by the language in the final sports betting bill.

Background to Maryland gambling law

Maryland’s history with gambling dates back to 1947 when four southern counties went over the governor’s head and installed 9,300 gambling machines. When 1968 rolled around, Maryland outlawed slot machines altogether, and the millions generated from these illegal machines dried up.

Four decades later in 2008, residents approved a constitutional amendment to allow slot machines in five designated locations. In 2012, voters again elected to expand gambling by permitting table games and authorizing a sixth casino in the state.

That sixth casino, MGM National Harbor, is right across the water from Washington, D.C.

The six casinos are located in:

• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore
• Cecil County
• Allegany County
• Worchester County
• Prince George’s County

How old do I have to be to place sports bets in Maryland?

Since there is no sports betting law just yet, the exact age to place a bet is still unknown. However, simply looking at other states with sports betting, it’s safe to assume you will have to be 21 or older to place a wager.

The minimum gambling age in the state is 21; odds are that will apply to sports betting, as well.

The mechanics of getting started

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In Maryland

When the laws are finalized, sportsbooks are officially open, and apps and online sites have launched, then you will be ready to start betting.

Make sure you understand sports betting basics and the type of bet you are placing. If you have any doubts, the casino staff can explain.

Typically, you can place a bet in two ways.

The traditional way is to go to a tellerwindow. You pay your money and receive a ticket, which is your record of the bet.

A new way is to use a bettingkiosk. These come with touch screens that display all the available bet types and games. Select your bet, pay with cash or card, and the kiosk will print out your betting ticket.

Keep your betting ticket safe because you will need it if you win. To collect your winnings, go to the teller window and hand over your ticket.

How do I begin mobile sports betting in Maryland?

If law permits, mobile wagering will be a way for customers to place bets without having to travel to a physical sportsbook.

Geolocation will ensure that you are within state borders, and various levels of security will be installed on the apps to make sure you are who you say you are.

However, until that day comes, all of this is hypothetical.

When online sports betting arrives, you can set up a sports betting account in a matter of minutes. In some jurisdictions, such as Nevada, the law states that you must set up your account in person at a casino. There is a chance lawmakers in Maryland might adopt this rule.

You would only need to travel to the nearest physical sportsbook once to set up your account. After that, you would be able to place wagers from anywhere in the state.

Whenever online sports betting launches in MD, we will provide links to all the various brands together with reviews of each operator.

To open your account, follow one of our links and complete the information on the sign-up page. Remember, personal details will be required. This is to prevent any chance of underage gambling.

After you have chosen a screen name and password, you are ready to place your first bets. If you open your account using a mobile device, you will need to download the appropriate app. After that, the process is the same as signing up from your desktop.

Be sure to check out the new customer offers before deciding which online sportsbook to use.

How to make a deposit

Much like an online bank account, you will need money in your sportsbook account in order to place a bet.

Online sports betting operators will offer as many ways as they can to allow customers to make deposits. In some states, the laws even stipulate that operators must accept specific payment methods.

When you place a bet, funds are taken from your sportsbook account, and any winnings will credit to it. The operator will provide a complete transaction history on request.

US deposit methods

There are several options to deposit funds in other legal sports betting states. These options include:

• Credit and debit cards
• Prepaid cards
• Wire transfers
• E-checks
• PayPal, Skrill and Neteller
• Cash
• Check or money order

How to withdraw winnings

Withdrawals are easiest if you can use the same method you used to make your deposit.

Withdrawals are fast compared to the time needed by offshore (or illegal) sites. Because these are not allowed to use the US banking system, it can take weeks to claim your winnings from an offshore operator.

In the US, the process is almost instant if using credit or debit cards or payment processing services.

Other withdrawal methods, such as requesting a check, can take a little longer. You may not withdraw money through PayNearMe.

Easy financial transactions and the security of your account funds are significant reasons to switch from offshore sports betting to the legal market.

Do I have to be in Maryland to bet online?

Short answer — yes. If you set up an online sports betting account in Maryland, you will most likely have to be inside state boundaries to place a bet. The same goes if you are betting in neighboring Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

Online gambling is regulated at the state level, not the federal level, so Maryland law no longer applies when you leave the state. One step across the border, and you are no longer legally allowed to wager on your mobile device with a Maryland licensed operator.

Geolocationtechnology is accurate. If you try to place a bet, the software will refuse to accept it. Of course, all bets you have made before leaving the state remain legal.

Another frequently asked question is, what if the same operator is in both states? Regardless, you will have to set up separate accounts. You will not be able to use your Pennsylvania account to bet in Maryland and vice versa.

What sports can I bet on in Maryland?

In theory, you most likely will be able to bet on any and all sports in Maryland.

Typically the regulator decides what counts as a sport eligible for betting. Betting on the Oscars may or may not qualify.

However, there is a possibility that lawmakers may adopt a rule that prohibits wagering on in-state college teams, much like New Jersey.

Obviously, there will be no betting on high school sports or any sports involving minors where they are the majority participants.

What types of sports bets will be available in MD?

The law may specify the types of permitted sports bets, but the regulator will probably have a great deal of latitude.

Some of the common bet types are:

• Moneyline:Wagers on which team or player will win.
• Spreads: You don’t bet on the winner of the game; you bet on the difference between the final scores of the two teams involved in the game.
• Totals: Betting on the combined total of both teams’ scores.
• Futures: Futures bets are on something a long way off, such as who will win the NBA championship.
• Parlay: You select the winners of several games, usually all taking place on the same day. If you get one winner wrong, you lose your stake.
• Teaser: This is just like a parlay, but the legs of the parlay are only on totals bets or spread bets, and you can move the line in your favor.

Live betting on MD sports betting apps

Live betting allows you to wager after a game has begun. The data that sports betting operators have now is so good — at least for major events — that they can adjust the odds of bets in response to the action on the field almost instantly.

Live betting, or in game wagering, is where you bet on certain outcomes during a game. Some examples include:

• Will the next play be a run or a pass?
• Will David Johnson run for a TD on the next play?
• Will LeBron James make a 3-point shot on this possession?
• What will the total score be at the end of the next quarter?

Live, in game wagering is rapidly becoming a favorite of bettors. When you have a bunch of friends watching a game together, a few small in-game bets can enhance your enjoyment of the game and give everyone a stake in the outcome.

Which sportsbooks will launch in Maryland?

It’s still too early to know who will be opening a sportsbook in Maryland. But by looking at neighboring states and other jurisdictions that have launched sports betting, we have a good guess as to who might.

The names you will almost certainly see if they can get access to the market will be:

• Kindred
• Kambi

All are already active in the US market, and all will try to find a Maryland sports betting partner.

Does Maryland support other forms of online gambling?

Short answer — no.

Unfortunately, Maryland does not have any other forms of online gambling such as online poker or online casino games.

The state does have charitable, horse-based gambling, a state lottery and land-based casinos.

Maryland is a unique state when it comes to the issue of online poker. As most poker players from the state know, getting online to play poker can be a challenge in Maryland. That’s not to say it’s impossible for Marylanders to play online poker, but there is definitely information you’ll want to review before playing real-money poker online.

Maryland is one of those states in the US where players do have fewer options for playing poker for real cash online. While their options may be fewer, that doesn’t equate to no options whatsoever. In fact, some of the top US-friendly poker sites welcome Maryland players – but it’s limited to a few.

We’ll discuss that information, along with a broader survey of gambling in Maryland, in our Guide to Playing Online Poker in Maryland.

Most Recent Online Poker News in Maryland

Is Online Betting Legal In Maryland

It has been quite a few years since online poker was discussed by lawmakers in Maryland.

In 2012, State House Speaker Michael Busch included online poker and casino games as a part of the special session legislative agenda. He had no detailed proposal but did want to consider online poker as part of a larger gambling expansion plan. Neighboring states were moving in that direction, and some Maryland lawmakers wanted to consider the option as well.

However, days later when the agenda became official, online gambling was not in it. Busch even downplayed the idea that it had been a serious consideration.

Since then, there have been no proposals for online poker and/or casino games.

This could change in the coming years. Neighboring Delaware has been offering online gaming for more than five years, and Pennsylvania just launched its online gambling sites in 2019. West Virginia legalized online poker and casino games and plans to launch those sites by 2021.

Casinos have grown in popular in Maryland in the past few years, with poker rooms at establishments like Maryland Live! and MGM National Harbor drawing big crowds of players. Online gaming could complement that revenue as it does in New Jersey, but it remains to be seen if lawmakers are ready to consider it.

Is Online Poker Legal in Maryland?

Any discussion of the legality of online poker – or any form of gambling, really – has to begin with a caveat: Don’t rely on the Internet for legal advice. Get in touch with a lawyer who has gambling-related experience in your state if you have any question of consequence.

However, if you’re just a poker player with a casual interest in the state law of Maryland as it pertains to playing poker in Maryland or gambling online, we can simplify the process. The complete Maryland state code below, and it’s suggested that you review it. To help you with what can be a dense read, here are some of the most important parts presented in laymans terms:

While most states provide a definition of gambling, Maryland instead relies on a broad prohibition of the basic act of gambling. It’s illegal to “bet, wager or gamble” (Section 12-102) in the state, with no further definitions provided for any of those terms.

Maryland doesn’t distinguish between players and those involved in the business of illegal gambling to the same degree as the average US state. Participants face far tougher penalties (at least theoretically) than they would in neighboring states.

Poker players could also run into trouble with Section 12-103, which prohibits playing a “gaming device” for anything of value. You might not think of a deck of cards and a kitchen table as gaming devices, but Maryland law is broad on this point, defining a gaming device as basically anything involved in the playing of a game that involves betting or wagering: “a gaming table, except a billiard table, at which a game of chance is played for money or any other thing or consideration of value; or(ii) a game or device at which money or any other thing or consideration of value is bet, wagered, or gambled” (Section 12-101(1)).

Finally, the possession of a “gaming device” (or a financial interest in such a device) is also a violation of the law in Maryland (Section 12-104). Again, the sweeping definition raises questions regarding exactly what players can and can’t have by the letter of the law.

Maryland gambling law does vary from county to county, so it’s important to become familiar not only with state law, but with your local law as well.

As you can see, Maryland law regarding gambling in general, and therefore poker specifically, is a complicated animal. Hopefully this starting point has gotten you closer to answers for your questions about online poker sites and the law in Maryland.

Will Maryland Regulate Online Poker?

Eventually, Maryland will regulate online poker.

With so many surrounding states already offering – or preparing to offer – online poker, it is only a matter of time before Maryland joins in. As the state takes on sports betting and other types of gambling expansion, online gaming will inevitably be a part of that someday.

In addition to pressure from neighboring states, education of Maryland’s lawmakers is also a requirement. They will have to learn how online poker and casino games can benefit the state through revenue and casinos through cross-promotion. They can learn all of that through a close examination of the New Jersey market, but it requires a desire to do so.

For now, there are online poker options for players. They are not regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, but they are fully licensed and regulated by well-respected regulatory bodies.

Until Maryland chooses to regulate their own market and license operators within it, players can access online poker through the sites we recommend.

Famous Maryland Poker Players

Anthony Gregg is a soft-spoken poker pro, often choosing to stay out of the limelight and play his best game. That plan earned nearly $12 million thus far in his poker career.

The next two players on the list of top Maryland pros both gained much of their notoriety through their performances at the World Series of Poker Main Event.

Greg Merson is perhaps the best known of the two, as he won the WSOP Main Event in 2012 for more than $8.5 million, and he did that after winning another event that summer at the WSOP, a Six-Handed NLHE event for more than $1.13 million. Unsurprisingly, he also won the WSOP Player of the year in 2012. All of it was a result of his extensive online poker history.

Steve Dannenmann is known for his runner-up finish at the 2005 WSOP Main Event. He finished second to Australian Joe Hachem that year but still won $4.25 million for second place.

Christian Harder and Phil Galfond, both Maryland natives, are most well-known for their online poker history. Both played in some of the toughest games online before Black Friday and built solid reputations as winning players. Galfond now owns his own poker site called Run It Once Poker, which is available outside of the US.

As of 2021, these were the top 10 live tournament money earners from Maryland:

Online Betting Legal States

1. Anthony Gregg ($12 million)
2. Gregory Merson ($11.4 million)
3. Steve Dannenmann ($4.8 million)
4. Christian Harder ($4.6 million)
5. Brock Parker ($3.8 million)
6. Dan Kelly ($3.6 million)
7. Justin Liberto ($3.6 million)
8. Rhett Butler ($3.4 million)
9. Phil Galfond ($3 million)
10. Jesse Yaginuma ($1.9 million)

Online Sports Betting Legal States

Maryland Gambling Facts

Maryland is actually in the midst of what most would consider to be their third wave of gambling expansion. The first was in the 1800s, when several American states had rather liberal attitudes toward various forms of gambling in both private and public settings. The next was in the 1950s, when slots were briefly legalized in some Maryland counties. The final, and current, wave stretches back to 1973, when Maryland sold their first lottery ticket and continues to this day, most recently with the vote to once again expand gambling in November 2012.

Regulated Gambling Options in Maryland

All of the big five regulated gambling options are available in Maryland except for one – tribal gambling. That leaves pari-mutuel wagering, casino-style gambling, the Maryland lottery and a nice selection of charitable-focused gambling on the regulated gambling menu for Marylanders. Maryland is easily in the top tier of states when it comes to quantity and depth of regulated gambling activity.

Legal Online Betting Sites

Does Maryland Offer any Regulated Online Gambling?

Not yet, but it appears as if it’s only a matter of time before you can play at a Maryland-licensed online poker room. The state is heading toward regulation, and it might be more than poker when all is said and done. However, the law takes some time to change, and until Maryland changes theirs, the status quo is that Marylanders don’t have any state-regulated online gambling options.

All Poker and Gambling Laws by State

Online Sports Betting In Maryland

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Sources & Citations For This Article on Maryland Online Poker