Maryland Gambling Laws
Maryland has one of the more developed regulated gambling markets on the East Coast. Over the past two decades, the state has expanded from a traditional lottery and horse racing industry into a destination for commercial casinos and legal sports betting. Today, residents can legally visit six full-service casinos, place retail and mobile sports wagers, buy lottery tickets, participate in charitable gaming, and enjoy pari-mutuel horse racing.
Unlike neighboring states such as Pennsylvania, MD has not authorized real-money online casino gaming or online poker. Although lawmakers have introduced several iGaming proposals in recent legislative sessions, none have become law.
Because regulated online casino gaming remains unavailable, some residents choose to access online MD casino sites that operate from offshore. players. These sites operate outside the states licensing system and are not regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA).
Below, we'll examine the Maryland gambling laws that govern both land-based and online gambling throughout the state.
Gambling Laws Explained
Maryland gambling laws are established through a combination of the Maryland Constitution, the Maryland Code, and regulations adopted by the Lottery and Gaming Control Commission. Over the past two decades, voters have approved several constitutional amendments that expanded legal gambling beyond the state lottery to include commercial casinos and sports wagering.
Today, MD laws authorizes:
- Six licensed commercial casinos
- The Maryland State Lottery
- Retail and mobile sports betting
- Horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering
- Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs)
- Live table games
- Charitable gaming
- Fantasy sports contests
Gambling Regulation in Maryland
The primary authority responsible for regulating legal gambling in the state is the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA).
The agency oversees virtually every major gambling activity within the state, including:
- Commercial casinos
- Sports wagering
- Lottery operations
- Gaming licensing
- Regulatory enforcement
- Responsible gambling initiatives
- Financial auditing and compliance
The Lottery and Gaming Control Commission works alongside the agency by approving regulations and licensing decisions, while enforcement staff investigate potential violations of MD gaming law. Casino gaming statutes are primarily contained within the Maryland State Government Article beginning at §9-1A-01, while sports wagering laws begin at §9-1E-01. Gaming regulations are further implemented through Title 36 of the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR).
Gambling Age Requirements
Maryland has different minimum ages depending on the gambling activity.
| Activity | Minimum Age |
| Lottery | 18 |
| Horse Racing | 18 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | 18+ |
| Casino Gambling | 21 |
| Sports Betting | 21 |
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