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By State › Maryland
State guide

Online Gambling in Maryland

Maryland has legal online sports betting (since 2022) and strong horse racing, including the Preakness at Pimlico. Real-money online casino isn't legal, and sweepstakes casinos face a de facto ban through aggressive enforcement.

What's legal in Maryland?

Maryland voters approved sports betting in November 2020; online sports betting launched in late 2022, regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) at a 15% tax (21+). Horse racing is legal at 18+, headlined by the Preakness Stakes. Real-money online casino and poker are not legal, and sweepstakes casinos face a de facto ban through MLGCA enforcement.

Sports Betting and Casino Bonuses for Gamblers in Maryland

Current welcome offers
SportsbookFanDuelBet $5, Get $350 in Bonus Bets (over 7 days)Claim
SportsbookBetRivers2nd Chance Bet up to $500 USBTRVClaim
SportsbookDraftKingsBet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
SportsbookBetMGM$1,500 First-Bet Offer
RacingAmWager100% Deposit Match up to $50 AMWAGERClaim
RacingTwinSpiresUp to $200 new-member bonus
PredictsKalshiNew-account trading bonus (federally regulated)
agamble.com editors’ verdict

For sports betting, FanDuel‘s Bet $5, Get $350 is the standout — the bonus is guaranteed (not win-dependent) for just $5 a day across a week, with a low entry and a 7-day expiry on each drop. BetRivers’ 2nd Chance Bet up to $500 is the better fit if you’d rather make one larger first wager with a loss-refund safety net.

For the horses, AmWager‘s 100% match up to $50 (code AMWAGER) is the racing pick.

Best for a new customer in Maryland: FanDuel, for the guaranteed $350 value and the low $5 entry. AmWager is the add-on pick if you also bet the races.

Legal sportsbook apps in Maryland

MLGCA-licensed online sportsbooks — about a dozen mobile books. 21+. Sports betting is taxed at 15%.

  1. FanDuel Sportsbook
  2. DraftKings Sportsbook
  3. BetMGM
  4. Caesars Sportsbook
  5. bet365 code 365GMBLR
  6. Fanatics Sportsbook
  7. BetRivers code USBTRV
  8. Hard Rock Bet

See all Maryland sportsbooks →

Horse racing betting in Maryland

Pari-mutuel ADW betting is legal at 18+, anchored by Pimlico and the Preakness Stakes. AmWager leads on track count and rebates.

  1. AmWager 100% up to $50 · code AMWAGER
  2. TwinSpires
  3. TVG
  4. NYRA Bets
  5. DRF Bets 100% up to $200

See all horse racing sites →

Sweepstakes casinos in Maryland

De facto banned. The MLGCA issued cease-and-desist letters to roughly 75 operators; about a third pulled out, and major brands (VGW’s Chumba and LuckyLand, High 5) exited Maryland. A statutory ban (HB 295) passed the House 105–24 but wasn’t enacted before the 2026 session ended. Regulators advise against using sweepstakes casinos in Maryland.

Free-play social casinos (no prizes) remain legal.

Prediction markets in Maryland

Contested. In August 2025 a federal judge denied Kalshi’s request to block Maryland enforcement, ruling state gaming laws aren’t preempted by the federal Commodity Exchange Act. A Fourth Circuit appeal is pending and will shape the landscape.

What you can't do in Maryland

Real-money online casino and online poker are not legal in Maryland. iGaming bills have failed in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 — the 2026 measures (SB 885 / SB 761) were withdrawn for lack of support, and any expansion would require a voter referendum. The next realistic window is 2027.

Maryland online gambling: timeline & outlook

  • 2020 · Voters approve sports betting (Question 2).
  • 2022 · Online sports betting launches (late 2022).
  • 2025–26 · iGaming bills fail repeatedly; MLGCA issues ~75 sweepstakes cease-and-desists; HB 295 ban passes House but isn’t enacted.
  • 2026 (proj.) · A possible November 2026 iGaming referendum is floated.
  • 2027 (proj.) · Next realistic iGaming window; a sweepstakes ban likely returns alongside it.
  • 2028 (proj.) · Online casino possible if a referendum and enabling law both pass.
What to expect

The 2027–2028 outlook

Maryland’s expansion hinges on a voter referendum that hasn’t happened yet.

Online casinoRequires a constitutional referendum; bills withdrawn in 2026. Casino-labor opposition is significant.
SweepstakesDe facto banned via enforcement; a formal statutory ban is likely to return.
Prediction marketsContested; the Fourth Circuit appeal of the Kalshi ruling is pivotal.
Horse racingA core Maryland strength — the Preakness anchors a healthy ADW market.

Maryland gambling FAQ

Is online casino legal in Maryland?

No. iGaming has failed repeatedly and would need a voter referendum; the next realistic window is 2027.

Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Maryland?

They face a de facto ban. The MLGCA has issued ~75 cease-and-desist letters and major brands have exited. Regulators advise against using them. Free-play social casinos remain legal.

Is online sports betting legal in Maryland?

Yes, since late 2022, regulated by the MLGCA at a 15% tax. 21+.

Is horse racing betting legal in Maryland?

Yes, at 18+, through ADW apps such as AmWager; Maryland hosts the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

Nearby states

Compare what's legal in states bordering Maryland.

Virginia West Virginia Pennsylvania Delaware