This is a legal online poker room option for those in Maryland, where they are more than welcome to sign up for an account here. The legal age to play poker in Maryland is 21, despite the fact that the minimum age to register for an account at SportsBetting is 18 years old. Maryland legal online poker rooms is where all the exciting poker action is taking place. Some may think that the gambling fun is limited in the state of Maryland, and although legal online poker rooms in Maryland are hard to come by, the ones open to residents of Maryland are among the top online poker rooms throughout the online gaming.
Legal Online Poker In Michigan
Maryland’s gambling laws are as simple as they come. Some claim that Maryland does not have any laws pertaining specifically to internet gambling, and that is offered as some sort of basis for it being silent in the matter in some way.
However, the law in this state when it comes to gambling is as inclusive as it could possibly be. S12-102 (a) of the Maryland Code states: “Prohibited: a person may not bet, wager, or gamble.”
It doesn’t get any clearer than that. If you are in the state of Maryland, and you bet, wager, or gamble, other than through state sanctioned betting of course, then you are in violation of the law.
This even includes playing for money in home games, and in fact this state is famous for that, although there is a bill before the Maryland legislature that is looking to overturn that particular aspect (2). Home games aren’t mentioned specifically in the code, but keep in mind that the code prohibits all forms of gambling, and this is a form of gambling.
The so-called “Blue Monday” indictments, where U.S. authorities put together a second round of legal action following the infamous “Black Friday” events, originated out of Maryland, which put a scare into several offshore online poker companies.
So in spite of the U.S. Department of Justice’s finally admitting that the Wire Act did not apply to poker, removing the teeth of the UIGEA at the Federal level, it still applies if poker is illegal at the state level, and Maryland is one state where that’s pretty clear.
Legal Poker In Maryland
Not all poker is illegal in Maryland, only non-state sanctioned poker. There are no Indian casinos in Maryland, but there are several state licensed casinos in Maryland, with more on the way. The most famous of them is the Maryland Live Casino in Hanover – the largest casino in the state – which not only offers casino action but has a thriving poker scene.
At Maryland Live, poker is not just a small game on the side like you see at a lot of casinos but a pretty big deal. They feature a 52-table poker room on two separate levels, which is one of the largest poker rooms in the country.
The Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Cumberland and the Hollywood Casino Perryville in Perryville also offer live poker action for players in the state. Three of the four casinos operating right now in Maryland do have poker rooms, with the fourth, Ocean Downs in Berlin, currently limit their action to slot games only as far as casino operations go.
The Horseshoe Baltimore, operated by Caesar’s, in Baltimore, MD, is nearly completed, and this will be the second largest casino in the state once finished, and will also have a significant poker room, so this will add to the selection in Maryland for live poker. The MGM National Harbor Casino is planned to be opened in 2016 and will likely feature poker as well.
Live poker is pretty popular in Maryland though and if you live in the state and want to play some poker, there is now plenty of action within easy driving distance no matter where you are located within the state.
Online Poker In Maryland
There is no current bill before the Maryland legislature nor any immediate plans to pursue online poker regulation at this time, and according to the head of the Lottery Commission there, the topic has not even been brought up yet in the state government. (3)
It is only recently that they approved live table games, including poker tables, and the focus these days has been more on the live gambling scene than the online one. Still though, they seem to be looking at states with existing online gambling regulation, particularly New Jersey, to see how that ends up doing, and at some point it is likely that this will merit more serious discussion.
So for now it’s a waiting game for those from Maryland who wish to play regulated online poker. It is at least a couple of years away and maybe even longer.
In the meantime, you can play at one of our more recommended iGaming sites at BetOnline Poker, which offers poker, casino and sports betting action for customers from Maryland as well. Check out the review for BetOnline here today and get a 200% bonus up to $1,000 today.
References
(1) 2010 Maryland Code, Title 12, Section 12-102, Betting, Wagering, Gambling, Etc.
(2) Maryland Weighs Lifting Obscure Ban On Playing Poker For Money At Home.
(3) Maryland Gaming Chief: State Will Keep An Eye On New Jersey’s Internet Games
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Maryland Legal Online Poker Games
Legal Gambling > State Gambling > Maryland Gambling
Maryland is a state that is not lacking a gambling scene, and it is in fact Maryland Gambling that caters to more players than some other surrounding states. At this point most of Maryland's gambling takes place on the Internet. The Internet has opened up nearly limitless options for gambling in the state. If you are trying to play a card game, spin a slot reel, bet on a sporting event, or even play a game of bingo then you have come to the right place. We have listed a large number of legal online gambling options so you do not have to selective hunt down any of the sites on your own.
Maryland Gambling Resources
Maryland Legal Gambling Age - All online gambling sites will force you to adhere to local laws surrounding the minimum gambling age. The Maryland legal gambling age is 21. You must be at least 21 years of age in order to legally gamble through any of these sites.
Maryland Gambling Laws - We have visited the Maryland legislature in order to find each of the Maryland Gambling Laws. Before you do any form of gambling we advise you to read through these laws and figure out what is legal and what is not. After all, earning a criminal record for something as stupid as playing a game of poker is ridiculous.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Maryland? - When you begin exploring Maryland Gambling, you will be faced with a lot of choices. Maryland legal online gambling will allow you to play casino games, poker, sports betting, and much more. You can even find some online gambling sites that include all of these features and more.
Are Online Casinos Legal in Maryland? - We have primarily compiled a lengthy list of online casinos. The Maryland legal online casinos provide players with the Vegas style casino atmosphere without leaving the computer. Money can be won by any lucky player through these casinos, especially with blackjack or the many slots available.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Maryland? - If you would rather bet on sports, know that the Maryland legal online sports betting sites will give you the option. Online sportsbooks use odds similar to those found in a bookie in Las Vegas, so you will be able to get fair odds on all of your wagers. You can phone in your bets or place them online, so convenience is not in short supply through this form of Maryland gambling.
Online Poker Legal States
Is Online Poker Legal in Maryland? - If you do not have enough poker buddies to get a game together then the Maryland legal online poker rooms are easily your top choice for gambling. Maryland has many online poker rooms open to the state, so finding one that fits your needs should not be too difficult.