Online · MD · legality
Is online gambling legal in Maryland?
Matrix from state registries · not legal advice · no operator exits on this page.
Online casino, poker, racing, and lottery are not legal for a commercial state licence in Maryland. Sports and fantasy are licensed or limited — open the state page for registry lists.
Law table, nearby floors, and why offshore / sweepstakes are not a substitute — below.
Law, regulator, and check date
Six formats from the state × format matrix. Status tones match the online hub legend.
| Format | Status | Statute | Regulator | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino | Not legal | Maryland Lottery and Gaming: licensed mobile sports wagering and registered fantasy are the only legal online gaming options. | Maryland Lottery and Gaming | Oct 13, 2026 | Open source → |
| Sports | Live | Md. Code, State Government Title 9-1E | MLGCC; SWARC awards mobile licences | Oct 13, 2026 | Open source → |
| Poker | Not legal | Maryland Lottery and Gaming: licensed sports and registered fantasy are the only legal online gaming options. | Maryland Lottery and Gaming | Oct 13, 2026 | Open source → |
| Racing | Not legal | No Maryland ADW statute text or MLG ADW roster was archived after check. | Not named | Oct 13, 2026 | Open source → |
| Lottery | Not legal | Md. Code, State Government § 9-111(e)(1): no ticket purchase through an internet-connected device. (e)(2) and (e)(3) allow a subscription and a voucher that funds it. | Maryland Lottery and Gaming | Oct 13, 2026 | Open source → |
| Fantasy | Live | State Government § 9-1D, as cited on the fantasy page. COMAR text was not saved. | Maryland Lottery and Gaming | Oct 13, 2026 | Open source → |
What’s legal nearby
Commercial floors in this catalog. Casinos operated by federally recognized tribes are not listed yet — that research is in progress.
Land floors in Maryland
- 1MGM National HarborOxon Hill
- 2Live! Casino & Hotel MarylandHanover
- 3Horseshoe Casino BaltimoreBaltimore
- 4Hollywood Casino PerryvillePerryville
- 5Ocean Downs CasinoBerlin
- 6Rocky Gap Casino ResortFlintstone
Neighboring states (online matrix)
Offshore and sweepstakes are not the answer
1. Unlicensed / offshore
State regulators issue cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed online operators. Those sites sit outside self-exclusion, deposit limits, and testing rules that apply to licensees — they are not a white path from Maryland.
Michigan Gaming Control Board — legal vs illegal online gambling →
2. Sweepstakes / dual-currency
A promo dual-currency “sweepstakes casino” skin is not a state licence. Multiple states ban or enforce against that model — see the sweepstakes meaning guide.
3. What we show instead
We show state-licensed formats only (online hub / state page when any format is playable) and land floors in our catalog. Prediction markets and social casinos stay outside this white catalogue.
Guides
Grey lanes and how to read licences
Education only — no operator exits from these pages.
- Is online casino legal in Maryland?No. Maryland Lottery and Gaming states that licensed mobile sports wagering and registered online fantasy competitions are the only legal online gaming options — not online casino games.Read
- Is online casino legal in the US?Only where a state licenses it. Federal law does not legalize online casinos nationwide, and a .com domain is never a licence. Seven states run licensed iGaming; Nevada allows online poker only.Read
- Licensed vs unlicensed online casinoA real US licence names a state regulator and an authorized-site list. A logo, a foreign seal, or a .com homepage is not the same thing.Read
- Online casino trust checklistTrust is not a star rating. For US online casino games it means: on the state list, under published rules, with a board that can take a complaint.Read
- What is a sweepstakes casino?A sweepstakes casino sells casino-style games on two virtual coins, one of them redeemable. Attorneys general call that a lottery in disguise. This page explains the mechanism only.Read
FAQ
Legality FAQ
Is online casino gambling legal in Maryland?
Online casino, poker, racing, and lottery are not legal for a commercial state licence in Maryland. Sports and fantasy are licensed or limited — open the state page for registry lists.
What about sports, poker, racing, lottery, and fantasy in Maryland?
Matrix status — Casino: not-legal; Sports: live; Poker: not-legal; Racing: not-legal; Lottery: not-legal; Fantasy: live. Details and registry lists stay on the state online page when a format is playable.
Can I use an unlicensed offshore site from Maryland?
No white path. Unlicensed sites are outside self-exclusion, deposit limits, and testing. See the licensed-vs-unlicensed and trust checklist guides.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Maryland?
A promo dual-currency “sweepstakes casino” skin is not a state licence. Multiple states ban or enforce against that model — see the sweepstakes meaning guide.
Where are licensed online markets?
Open the Maryland online state page for licensed formats. Neighboring states with playable online cells: DE, DC, PA, VA, WV.
Sources
- MatrixMaryland × format status (regulator cites)Checked 2026-10-13
- RegulatorMaryland Lottery and Gaming
- EXOffshore / sweepstakes primary sources (S8)Regulator and court cites only
- MethodMethodology
State matrix + S8 EX cites. No operator exits. Ranks are not sold.