Maryland still doesn’t have any online poker legislation in place. However, changes have been discussed and there could be something definitive within a couple of years.
| Type/Code | Summary |
|---|---|
| State Code Section(s) | 10.1.V; 12-13 |
| Definition of Gambling & Player | Gaming device: A gaming table, except a billiard table, at which a game of chance is played for money or any other thing or consideration of value, or a game or device at which money or any other thing or consideration of value is bet, wagered, or gambled.Illegal gaming activities: A person may not bet, wager, or gamble; make or sell a book or pool on the result of a race, contest, or contingency; establish, keep, rent, use, or occupy, or knowingly allow to be established, kept, rented, used, or occupied, all or a part of a building, vessel, or place, on land or water, within the State, for the purpose of betting, wagering, or gambling; receive, become the depository of, record, register, or forward, or propose, agree, or pretend to forward, money or any other thing or consideration of value, to be bet, wagered, or gambled on the result of a race, contest, or contingency. |
| Online Poker/Gambling | Some lawmakers discussed an online poker bill in 2012 but have yet to bring one to the broader legislature for consideration. There is speculation that Maryland is ripe for online poker and casino games, and its casinos tend to be supportive, but there has been no action taken. |
| Live Poker | The poker rooms in Maryland casinos are very popular, offering cash games and tournaments. |
| Casinos | There are fully-functional casinos in six Maryland counties, all of which offer all types of gambling, including table games like poker. |
| Sports Betting | Bills remain on the table in the House and Senate to legalize sports betting in Maryland, in connection with the state’s casinos. |
| DFS | Bills introduced in 2018 seek to regulate daily fantasy sports, but the legislature has not voted on final proposals. DFS is already exempted from the state’s gambling prohibitions. |
| Other Forms of Gambling | Horse and harness racing, pari-mutuel betting, lottery, bingo and raffles, charitable gambling. |