Last verified: October 2026.
Searching for a Maryland online casino usually turns up a mix of real-money sites, sweepstakes sites and sportsbooks, and it is hard to tell which is which. This guide separates them: what Maryland authorizes, what it does not, and where sweepstakes platforms fit.
Maryland online casinos are not legal yet: what the state allows
Real-money online casino gaming is not authorized in Maryland. Maryland's constitution requires voter approval to expand commercial gaming, so legal online casinos would need both a bill in the General Assembly and a referendum.
That process has not got far. SB 761, the 2026 referendum bill, was withdrawn by its sponsor, and the companion bill, SB 885, did not advance (Maryland General Assembly). Lawmakers can try again when the session opens in January 2027, but nothing had been filed as of October 2026. Any site offering real-money casino games to Maryland residents today is not operating under a Maryland license.
What you can play in Maryland today
Maryland has a well-developed regulated market for in-person and mobile betting, overseen by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. You must be 21 to gamble at the casinos or bet on sports.
- Six commercial casinos. Licensed casinos operate across the state, including MGM National Harbor, Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover and Horseshoe Baltimore. See our Maryland in-person casino guides for details on each.
- Online sports betting. Retail sportsbooks opened in December 2021, and online sports betting launched on November 23, 2022. Licensed mobile apps are available statewide.
- Daily fantasy sports. Fantasy contests are permitted under Maryland's fantasy competition law.
- The Maryland Lottery. Draw games and scratch-offs are sold at retail locations.
If you want casino-style games with real-money stakes, the in-person casinos are the authorized route.
Sweepstakes casinos are a different model
Sweepstakes platforms are not real-money online casinos. They use two virtual currencies: Gold Coins, which are for play only, and Sweeps Coins, which can be redeemed for prizes under each platform's rules. Players receive free coins on signup and can buy coin packs, and a purchase is not required to play.
Maryland law does not expressly address dual-currency sweepstakes casinos as of October 2026. Maryland's gaming regulator has taken the position that they are not authorized, and many operators now list Maryland as an excluded state in their own rules. That means eligibility depends on the platform, not on a general rule. Our Maryland sweepstakes legal guide covers the background, and we do not restate it here.
Sweepstakes brands on our Maryland list
We list only platforms whose own sweepstakes rules did not exclude Maryland when we last checked. The current roster, in order, is:
- Spinfinite: 270+ games including crash and Plinko, plus a 7-tier VIP program.
- Go Go Gold: scored 6.3/10 across 3 reviewer tests, with purchases at 9.7/10 and redemption at 4.0/10.
- Lucky Bunny: 30 verified reviewer tests and a 6.8/10 overall score.
- LuckyZino: slots-led, with table games, live dealer and poker.
- KingPrize: slots, live dealer, originals, a sportsbook and poker.
For offers and full rankings, see our best sweepstakes casinos for Maryland guide. Rules and eligibility can change without much notice, so check each platform's official rules before you sign up.
How to tell a real-money casino from a sweepstakes site
A few quick checks help you identify what you are looking at.
- Currencies. Two coin types, one for play and one for prizes, point to a sweepstakes model. Cash deposits and cash balances point to real-money gambling.
- Rules page. Sweepstakes platforms publish official rules that include a list of excluded states. Look for Maryland there.
- Licensing claims. Be cautious of any site that claims to be a licensed Maryland online casino. As noted above, none exist.
- Identity checks. Platforms usually verify age and identity before paying out, so expect to submit documents.
What to watch next
The General Assembly meets again in January 2027. Any online casino proposal would need to pass both chambers and then go to voters, so even a successful bill would not produce a licensed Maryland online casino quickly. Meanwhile, sports betting and the in-person casinos remain the regulated options. We will update this guide if a referendum bill is filed or if the status of sweepstakes platforms changes.
FAQ
Are online casinos legal in Maryland?
No. Real-money online casino gaming is not authorized in Maryland as of October 2026. Legalizing it would need a bill and a voter referendum, and the 2026 referendum bill, SB 761, was withdrawn.
Is online sports betting legal in Maryland?
Yes. Online sports betting has been available in Maryland since November 23, 2022, through licensed mobile operators. You must be 21 or older.
Are sweepstakes casinos online casinos?
No, they use a different model with Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins instead of cash deposits. Maryland law does not expressly address them as of October 2026, and each platform sets its own eligible states. See our legal guide.
Where can I play casino games in person in Maryland?
Six licensed commercial casinos operate in the state, including MGM National Harbor, Live! Casino & Hotel and Horseshoe Baltimore. Our in-person guides cover each one.
Will Maryland get online casinos?
Possibly, but not soon. It would need legislation and a referendum, and no bill had been filed as of October 2026. We will update this guide if that changes.
Rules and operator eligibility change. Treat this guide as a summary of public records, not legal advice, and check each platform's own terms before you play.
