Maryland
Gambling Laws 2026

Sports betting is legal in Maryland, one of 36 states where it is, as of May 2026. Commercial casinos are legal, as they are in 24 states, and online casino gambling is legal, one of 9 states that allow it. Maryland has a state lottery, and horse racing is legal.

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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Also on Maryland: the full Maryland profile covers taxes, cost of living, crime and schools, and the county map lets you compare every county in the state. For related rules, read the Maryland sex laws guide and the Maryland country music guide.