Online Casinos in Maryland 2026
Maryland has no legal real-money online casino. A 2024 effort to put iGaming before voters as a referendum stalled in the legislature, so the question never reached the ballot and no licensed online casino framework exists. Maryland does have land-based casinos and regulated sports betting, but internet casino gaming remains off the table for now. Sweepstakes casinos are not banned by statute, but the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency sent cease-and-desist letters to operators in January 2025, and most major brands have since left the state, including McLuck, Hello Millions, Pulsz, and Wow Vegas. Bills to ban the model outright passed the House in 2026 but died in the Senate. With a population near 6.2 million, Maryland is a notable market. Regulated sports betting requires players to be 21.
- State
- Maryland
- Minimum age
- 18+
- Regulator
- None (no licensed online casinos)
Maryland has not legalized real-money online casinos. A 2024 push to authorize iGaming through a voter referendum did not advance, leaving the matter unresolved. Maryland did legalize sports betting, with retail and online wagering overseen by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. Sweepstakes casinos are not licensed by the state, and the agency has sent cease-and-desist letters to operators since January 2025. HB 295 and HB 1226, which would have banned them, passed the House but died in the Senate when the session ended on April 13, 2026. Regulated sports betting in Maryland requires players to be 21.
Online casino options in Maryland
Maryland residents do not have access to legal real-money online casinos. A 2024 attempt to authorize iGaming through a voter referendum stalled before reaching the ballot, leaving no online casino licensing framework.
Why most sweepstakes brands left Maryland
In January 2025 the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency sent cease-and-desist letters to sweepstakes operators, including some of the largest brands. McLuck, Hello Millions, Jackpota, Spree, and Mega Bonanza left on February 21, 2025, and Pulsz, Wow Vegas, Modo, and Sidepot followed. Stake.us and High 5 Casino also exclude Maryland. The 2026 bills that would have banned sweepstakes casinos outright (HB 295 and HB 1226) passed the House but died in the Senate, so the model is restricted in practice rather than banned by statute. A few sites still list Maryland as eligible, but availability can change without notice.
Sports betting is legal, casinos are not
Maryland has legalized sports betting, with retail and online operators regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. Online casino gaming has not followed the same path. The 2024 referendum effort showed legislative interest, but the proposal did not advance, so iGaming remains unauthorized while sports wagering continues to grow.
Playing responsibly
Sweepstakes casinos are free to join, but setting limits and treating them as entertainment remains good practice. The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling and the national 1-800-GAMBLER helpline offer free, confidential support. Because sweepstakes sites are not licensed by Maryland, players should read each operator's terms carefully before creating an account.
Online Casinos in Other States
Online casino rules differ by state. Compare the operators and legal context elsewhere.