Maryland Gambling Regulation Explained
Gambling has a long history in Maryland. The Preakness Stakes is held at Pimlico Race Course each year.
The State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency was established as the StateLottery Agency in 1972. It started selling lottery tickets and giving out rewards on January 2, 1973. In 2008, a statewide constitutional referendum allowed casinos. The Lotteries Commission regulates the operation of casinos and table games. Online sports betting will be available in 2022.
Maryland forbids online gambling, but local operators are permitted to run social gaming platforms. Slot machines and classic table games like roulette, blackjack, and poker are allowed at all Maryland casinos. Several counties allow charitable groups to organize poker and casino evenings.
Maryland recorded casino revenue of $169.2 million in March. The state's coffers received $172.4 million in May. In July, the state brought in $180.1 million. The Lottery and Gaming Control Agency received a record $1.391 billion in tax revenue to the State in the 2020–21 fiscal year.