Maryland
Gambling Laws 2026
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Casino / iGaming
State Lottery
Horse Racing / Racetracks
Maryland has built a substantial commercial casino market since 2012. Six licensed facilities operate including MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, and Live! Casino and Hotel in Hanover. These are large, full-service operations. Sports betting launched in late 2021 and mobile betting followed in 2022. Online casino gambling launched in 2023, making Maryland one of the newer states to offer legal online slots and table games.
The lottery has operated since 1973. Horse racing at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course is significant — Pimlico hosts the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, every May. The racing industry has faced financial challenges but remains active.
For residents in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, casino access is strong. Multiple large properties are within reasonable driving distance of most of the state's population. Mobile sports betting works statewide through major apps. Online casino gambling adds another layer, allowing residents to play slots and table games at home through licensed Maryland operators. The market is now one of the more complete gambling ecosystems on the East Coast.
6 commercial casinos including MGM National Harbor. Online casino gambling launched 2023.
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People Also Ask
What is the new gambling tax law in 2026?
Do you have to be 18 or 21 to gamble in Maryland?
Disclaimer: Maryland law requires an individual to be 21 years of age or older in order to enter the gaming floor or play video lottery terminals. Please play responsibly, for help visit mdgamblinghelp.org or call 1-800-GAMBLER.
What two states prohibit gambling?
National Collegiate Athletic Association). If state-run lotteries are included, then 48 states allow some form of gambling. The exceptions are Hawaii, where gambling was outlawed prior to statehood, and Utah, which bans gambling in its state constitution.
Is gambling 18 or 21 in the US?
“In most U.S. states, you have to be 21 years old to legally bet on sports. But prediction markets, you only have to be 18,” says Rebecca Patterson, noting that a lower age threshold is one factor drawing young male users to prediction markets.
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In the News
- Maryland Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for May 17, 2026 - DelmarvaNow.comMay 18
- Maryland Sports Betting: MD Sportsbooks, Apps, and Promos - FOX SportsMay 4
- The Cashout: Sports Betting Handle Is Up 3% In Early April Data; Kalshi Volume Levels Off - The Closing LineMay 17
- Maryland Sports Betting 2026: Best MD Sportsbooks - CBS SportsMay 5
- Maryland sports betting handle rises in April - Focus Gaming NewsMay 11
Full Maryland profile
Taxes, cost of living, gun laws, nudism, nightlife and more.
Sources: American Gaming Association 2024, Legal Sports Report, NCSL. Gambling laws change frequently — verify current status before wagering.