The buzz around Maryland online gambling isn’t just water cooler talk anymore. In a state that’s historically kept its cards close to the chest when it comes to betting, the tide appears to be turning. From corner offices to kitchen tables, folks are watching as lawmakers warm up to the idea of bringing casino games to smartphones and laptops.
Sure, Maryland has played it safe in the past, but with neighboring states raking in digital dollars and underground betting sites running wild, even the skeptics are changing their tune. The writing’s on the wall: the Old Line State might soon join the digital gaming revolution, whether the old guard likes it or not.
Lawmakers Are Pushing for Legalization
Legislation is already in the works to bring online casinos to Maryland. In early 2025, Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary introduced House Bill 17 (HB 17), which would allow existing casino operators to offer online gambling. Senator Ron Watson followed up with Senate Bill 340 (SB 340), showing a clear bipartisan push to move things forward.
These bills are still making their way through committee discussions, but the momentum is there. If they pass, Marylanders could be legally playing online slots and table games by late 2025 or early 2026.
Following the Lead of Neighboring States
Maryland’s neighbors are hitting the jackpot with online gambling while the Free State watches from the sidelines. In Pennsylvania, virtual casinos aren’t just surviving, they’re thriving and stuffing state coffers with tax revenue.
And it’s not just the big players cashing in. Next door in West Virginia, where things tend to move at a more modest pace, the digital gaming scene is still paying serious dividends. No wonder Maryland’s power brokers are scratching their heads, wondering if they’ve been too slow to ante up in this high-stakes game of digital expansion.
How Much Money Is Maryland Missing Out On?
The numbers tell a sobering story: Maryland’s coffers are taking a beating from offshore gambling sites, with a recent study revealing a $197 million hit in lost tax revenue last year. While residents roll the dice on unregulated platforms, state bean counters are eyeing a potential gold mine.
The math isn’t complicated: industry experts predict Maryland could rake in north of $500 million yearly from regulated online betting, with the state’s slice falling between 15% and 20%. Like their neighbors up in Pennsylvania, that windfall could pump fresh life into classrooms, hospital wings, and pothole-plagued streets across the state.
Maryland’s History of Gambling
Casinos in Maryland have come a long way since the state first rolled the dice on gambling back in ’08. From the glittering halls of MGM National Harbor to the bustling floors of Live! Casino and the action-packed Horseshoe Baltimore, the gaming scene has hit its stride.
And with each passing year, Marylanders seem more comfortable placing their bets – first at physical tables, then on sports, and now through their smartphones.
The numbers don’t lie: when it comes to gambling, Free State voters aren’t just along for the ride – they’re in the driver’s seat. Back in 2012, they gave table games the thumbs up, and in 2020, they went all-in on sports betting with a whopping 67% saying “deal me in.”
Fast forward to 2024, and a fresh Maryland Public Policy Institute study shows nearly six in ten residents ready to take gaming fully digital.
The writing’s on the wall: from those early days of brick-and-mortar casinos to today’s sports betting apps, Maryland’s gambling evolution has been steady but sure. With public support riding high at 58% and voters consistently backing expansion, adding online casino games to the mix looks less like a gamble and more like a safe bet.
Maryland’s Brick-and-Mortar Casinos
Just how many casinos are in Maryland? The state’s six gaming powerhouses tell a story of transformation from cautious newcomer to regional heavyweight. Before Annapolis flirts with the digital frontier, industry watchers point to an impressive track record: these brick-and-mortar giants aren’t just spinning slots and dealing cards – they’re economic engines churning out billions in revenue and keeping thousands of Marylanders employed.
The Maryland gaming commission has its hands full overseeing a diverse lineup of gaming hotspots, each with its own claim to fame. Take MGM National Harbor, the state’s crown jewel, which despite an 8% dip still raked in a cool $823.7 million last year. Not to be outdone, live casino Maryland stands tall in Anne Arundel County, boasting the state’s largest arsenal of slots and tables while pumping $298.5 million into state coffers.
Which Online Casinos Will Launch First?
If Maryland legalizes online casinos, the first platforms to launch will likely be the big names already operating in the state. BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars all have licenses for sports betting in Maryland, so expanding into online casino games would be seamless.
Industry experts predict that if lawmakers pass the bills in mid-2025, the first online casinos could launch by late 2025 or early 2026—just in time for the holiday season.
BetMGM: A Front-Runner with a Strong Maryland Presence
The battle for online casino in Maryland supremacy appears to have been an early favorite. BetMGM, already dominating the state’s digital sports betting scene, stands ready to pounce the moment lawmakers wave the green flag.
For online poker Maryland enthusiasts, the wait might not be long. Industry watchers predict BetMGM could roll out its full suite of virtual gaming – from slots to live dealer action – as early as 2026, bringing their battle-tested platform to Free State screens.
The smart money says BetMGM’s existing sports bettors won’t miss a beat. With their app already in thousands of Maryland pockets, the transition to full-service online gaming looks smoother than a freshly felt poker table.
DraftKings Casino: A Rapid Expansion Strategy
DraftKings is eyeing a piece of the online casinos Maryland pie. Fresh from dominating sports betting, this digital heavyweight looks ready to double down on the Free State’s gaming future.
The company’s track record of day-one launches has industry insiders betting they’ll waste no time bringing online slots in Maryland to eager players. With regulatory approval potentially landing in 2026, DraftKings appears poised to flip the switch faster than a slot machine jackpot.
For Maryland bettors, the transition promises to be smoother than a royal flush. One app, two platforms – that’s the DraftKings playbook, and they’re sticking to it.
FanDuel Casino: Building on Its Sportsbook Success
FanDuel, already a heavyweight in Free State sports betting, looks ready to deal itself into the digital gaming action.
The industry giants aren’t wasting time, eyeing a mid-2026 launch that would turn every Maryland mobile device into a potential casino floor. With their sports betting app already dominating local screens, FanDuel is betting big on a seamless expansion.
From live dealers to virtual blackjack tables that feel like the real deal, FanDuel’s planning to bring Vegas-style action to Maryland living rooms. And if their track record in other states is any indication, they’re playing to win.
Caesars Casino: Leveraging Its Maryland Casino Property
Looking to play online blackjack in Maryland? Caesars might soon let you do it from your couch. The folks behind Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino are shuffling up for a digital debut, and industry insiders say they’re holding a hot hand.
The gambling giant isn’t just planning to deal virtual cards by late 2026 – they’re aiming to connect your online wins with real-world perks. That means every digital bet could earn you rewards at their physical casinos.
For Maryland players, it’s a game-changer: rack up points playing in your PJs, and cash them in for dinner at the Horseshoe. Now that’s what Vegas pros call playing it smart.
Barstool Casino: A Wild Card Entry
Don’t count Barstool out of Maryland’s digital gaming gold rush just yet. The sports betting upstart has been turning heads with their signature style, and industry insiders say they’re quietly plotting their casino play.
Sure, they might be fashionably late to the party – think late 2026 or early ’27 – but with Penn Entertainment’s bankroll behind them, they’re no lightweight. Their play? Turning virtual gambling into something that feels more like a social hangout than a stuffy casino floor.
For Maryland’s next generation of gamblers, Barstool’s mix of sports, banter, and betting could be the perfect cocktail. They might not be first to market, but they’re betting their fresh approach will win over players looking for something different.
Final Thoughts: Maryland’s Path to Legalization
Talk about missing out on a sure bet. Maryland casino sites might still be a pipe dream, but insiders say the smart money’s on that changing – and fast. The Free State’s already got the gambling bug, with packed casinos and sports betting apps burning up local phones.
Just peek over the fence at Pennsylvania and West Virginia, where digital slots and virtual poker tables are printing money for state coffers. Meanwhile, Maryland’s watching millions slip through its fingers to offshore sites, leaving regulators empty-handed and players unprotected.
The odds are looking good for a game-changing shift by late 2025. With lawmakers pushing chips to the center of the table and public support riding high, Maryland’s digital gaming revolution isn’t just a matter of if – it’s a matter of when.
