Despite a rich history in gambling throughout the lottery and horse racing, Maryland was a late bloomer in regards to casino gaming. But by passing a law to permit slot machines in 2008, Maryland put the wheels in motion to have casinos constructed throughout the state.
The nation’s progress in casino gambling is promising, however from an online perspective Maryland isn’t a great location for sports bettors to live. While infrequently enforced, Maryland’s laws call for harsh penalties against anyone who puts any kind of wager beyond a casino in the nation.
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Gaming Laws in Maryland
The Maryland Slot Machines Amendment was on the ballot in Maryland on November 4, 2008. The measure gave the state the authority to issue up to five video lottery licenses and place around 15,000 slot machines across the country at five distinct locations. When this law passed, Maryland became the 38th state to allow live casino gambling or slot machines.
In 2012, gaming rights in Maryland were expanded even further. One extra casino was approved to be built along with the five that were approved, and table games were permitted to be introduced into these establishments. While before these casinos only served as slot parlors, they could now work more like regular casinos to add table games and poker rooms.
The legalization and growth of those casinos has been a welcome change to the Maryland Code as gambling outside of these legal casinos is strictly prohibited. Under Penal Code 12-102,»a person might not bet, bet, or gamble» from the state of Maryland. Bettors which are captured and convicted are guilty of a misdemeanor which is subject to 6-12 weeks in prison and a fine of $200 to $1000.
Sports Betting in Maryland
Sports gambling is illegal in the state of Maryland. When the majority of states offer much harsher penalties for bookmaking as opposed to betting, Maryland’s state laws don’t really make particular mention of bookmaking. Rather, anyone who’s partaking in gaming whether they’re betting or getting a bet are by the letter of the law committing a misdemeanor.
Online Betting
Offshore sportsbooks don’t fall under the jurisdiction of Maryland’s state laws as they’re not from the nation or the country. Consequently, a number of them still offer online gambling to Maryland citizens despite being illegal in the nation.
There are no specific mentions of online gambling anywhere in the Maryland Code, but it would be hard to argue against its illegality when all forms of»betting, wagering, and gambling» are deemed illegal and punishable by misdemeanor by the state. Although this legislation is not a heavily regulated one, citizens of Maryland have to understand the risks that have putting bets in the state and choose for themselves whether they would like to take those risks. With no other sports betting paths available, online betting is the only viable option Maryland sports bettors possess.
Poker and Casino at Maryland
In 2010, the Hollywood Casino at Perryville opened, getting the first casino in Maryland to open its doors to the public. Ocean Downs at Berlin followed in 2011, the Rocky Gap Casino Resort and the Maryland Live! Casino started in 2013 and the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore opened in 2014. In 2016, the MGM National Harbor will open in Prince George’s County.
The Horseshoe Baltimore has a World collection of Poker themed poker area, but the biggest poker room in the state by far is your Maryland Live! Poker Room with More than 50 tables. Both places offer tournaments and cash games.
Online Poker
As is the case with online sports betting, several internet poker rooms will accept company from Maryland residents since they are not under the authority of the state of Maryland. Playing online poker is illegal in the state of Maryland under the definition that any bet or wager is, even if poker isn’t mentioned specifically.
Poker players in Maryland need to weigh the pros and cons of playing online playing or illegally live in the state’s legal casinos. Live games are more restricted, but players do not need to worry about being caught either.
Other Gaming Options in Maryland
Horse racing is alive and well in the state of Maryland with 2 harness race tracks at Ocean Downs and Rosecraft Raceway and three regular race tracks in Laurel Park Racecourse, Maryland State Fairgrounds (as soon as the fair is in town) and the Pimlico Race Course. Baltimore’s Pimlico track hosts the Yearly Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Maryland Lottery
The Maryland Lottery has been established in 1973 and is the fourth largest contributor to the nation’s market. The country offers in-state drawings, multi-state drawings including Powerball and Mega Millions, and scratch ticket games.

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