Casinos in Maryland

History of Gambling in Maryland

Maryland’s path to commercial casino gaming was shaped by two landmark voter referendums separated by four years. In November 2008, state residents approved a constitutional amendment authorizing video lottery terminals (VLTs) at up to five locations across the state. The measure passed with the understanding that a portion of gaming revenues would be directed toward the state’s Education Trust Fund — a commitment that has become a cornerstone of Maryland’s gambling policy ever since.

The 2008 authorization covered slots-style play only. That changed in November 2012, when Maryland voters passed a second referendum allowing table games — blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, and more — at the existing and newly planned casino sites. The addition of table games transformed Maryland’s properties from slot parlors into full-service casinos capable of competing with the destination resorts in Atlantic City and West Virginia.

The first casino to open under the new framework was Hollywood Casino Perryville, which launched in September 2010. Maryland Live! (now Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland) followed in June 2012 at Arundel Mills, quickly becoming the state’s highest-grossing property. The biggest milestone arrived in December 2016 when MGM National Harbor opened along the Potomac River just minutes from Washington, D.C., immediately establishing itself as one of the premier casino resorts on the East Coast.

Sports betting came to Maryland in 2020 when the General Assembly passed enabling legislation following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 Murphy v. NCAA ruling. Retail sports betting launched in late 2021, and mobile wagering rolled out in late 2022 after the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency issued the first wave of mobile operator licenses. Today, Maryland bettors can wager on professional and collegiate sports both at casino sportsbooks and through licensed mobile apps.

Casino Properties in Maryland

Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland — Hanover

Located adjacent to Arundel Mills Mall in Anne Arundel County, Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland consistently ranks as one of the busiest casino properties in the Mid-Atlantic region. The facility features more than 4,000 slot machines and electronic games alongside a full table game floor with blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, and a dedicated poker room. The hotel tower offers over 300 rooms and suites, and the dining lineup includes a steakhouse, a sports bar, and a buffet-style restaurant. Its position between Baltimore and Washington — roughly 20 miles from each downtown — makes it the most geographically convenient major casino for the densest part of Maryland’s population. Live! is part of the Stadium Casino brand operated by The Cordish Companies, a Baltimore-based development firm. Phone: +1-443-445-2690.

MGM National Harbor — Oxon Hill

MGM National Harbor opened in December 2016 and quickly became the flagship casino resort not just in Maryland but in the entire greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Situated on a bluff above the Potomac River in Prince George’s County, the resort offers dramatic views of the D.C. skyline. The gaming floor covers roughly 125,000 square feet with more than 3,300 slot machines, over 160 table games, and a high-limit room. The attached hotel features more than 300 rooms and a spa. Dining options include a restaurant by celebrity chef Jose Andres as well as a food hall, rooftop bar, and several casual concepts. MGM National Harbor also contains a 3,000-seat theater that hosts touring concerts and comedy acts. For visitors arriving from the capital, the property is accessible via a short drive across the Wilson Bridge from Virginia or D.C. Phone: +1-844-346-4664.

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore — Baltimore

The Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, operated by Caesars Entertainment, opened in August 2014 in the Stadium Area neighborhood near M&T Bank Stadium and Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The urban casino occupies a standalone building with more than 2,200 slot machines and roughly 150 table games, plus a World Series of Poker-branded poker room that hosts regular tournaments. The Horseshoe draws heavily from Baltimore city residents and sports fans attending games at the adjacent stadiums. Dining options include a Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips outpost and a Jack Binion’s Steak restaurant. Unlike the larger resort properties, the Horseshoe does not include a hotel, but its downtown location puts it within walking distance of numerous Baltimore accommodations. Phone: +1-443-931-4000.

Hollywood Casino Perryville — Perryville

Hollywood Casino Perryville holds the distinction of being the first casino to open under Maryland’s expanded gaming framework, launching in September 2010. It sits along the northern edge of the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Susquehanna River in Cecil County, positioned along Interstate 95 near the Delaware border. The property is smaller than the state’s urban casinos, with a focus on slots and electronic table games, though live table games were added after the 2012 referendum. The facility includes a sports bar and a casual dining restaurant. Its location makes it a convenient stop for I-95 travelers between Baltimore and Philadelphia, and it attracts players from northern Maryland, southern Pennsylvania, and southern Delaware. Phone: +1-410-378-8500.

Rocky Gap Casino Resort — Flintstone

Rocky Gap Casino Resort is Maryland’s only mountain gaming destination and its westernmost property. Located in Allegany County near Cumberland in the Appalachian highlands, the resort sits beside Lake Habeeb within Rocky Gap State Park. The casino floor offers slots, table games, and a poker room. The resort component includes a lodge-style hotel, a golf course, a spa, and lake access for outdoor activities — giving it a distinct character compared to the state’s urban and suburban casinos. Rocky Gap is operated by Century Casinos and draws visitors from western Maryland, West Virginia, and southwestern Pennsylvania. For guests making the trip from the Baltimore-Washington corridor, the property is roughly two and a half hours west on Interstate 68. Phone: +1-301-784-8400.

Players Club Programs

Each Maryland casino operates its own loyalty rewards program, and signing up is free at the players club desk on your first visit.

At Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, the program is called Live! Rewards. Members earn points on slot play and table games, which convert to free play credits. Higher tiers unlock perks including priority check-in, dining discounts, and access to exclusive promotions.

MGM National Harbor participates in the MGM Rewards program (formerly M life Rewards), one of the largest casino loyalty networks in the United States. MGM Rewards points earned in Maryland are redeemable at MGM properties nationwide, including Bellagio and MGM Grand in Las Vegas, making this card particularly valuable for frequent travelers.

Horseshoe Casino Baltimore runs on the Caesars Rewards program, another national network that covers Caesars, Harrah’s, and Horseshoe properties across the country. Points and tier credits earned in Baltimore apply toward status at all Caesars Entertainment locations.

Hollywood Casino Perryville and Rocky Gap Casino Resort operate mychoice rewards, the Penn Entertainment (formerly Penn National Gaming) loyalty program. The mychoice card works across Penn properties in multiple states.

Legal Framework and Responsible Gaming

Maryland’s commercial casinos are regulated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA), which operates under the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission. The Commission sets licensing standards, approves game rules, oversees operator compliance, and certifies gaming equipment. Revenue auditing and financial oversight fall under the agency’s gaming division, which publishes monthly revenue reports for each property.

All six original casino licenses were issued under the 2008 and 2012 constitutional frameworks. The MLGCA also oversees sports wagering licenses for both retail and mobile operators, with mobile licenses awarded through a competitive application process beginning in 2022.

A portion of Maryland’s gaming tax revenue is statutorily directed to the Education Trust Fund, which supplements K-12 school construction and per-pupil spending. The exact tax rates vary by property type and gaming category, but commercial casinos generally pay between 15 and 61 percent of gross gaming revenues depending on the game category.

Responsible gambling resources are woven into the regulatory framework. All Maryland casinos are required to post problem gambling information prominently on the gaming floor and to train staff in responsible gaming protocols. Self-exclusion is available statewide — players can voluntarily ban themselves from all regulated Maryland casinos through the MLGCA’s Self-Exclusion Program.

If you or someone you know has concerns about gambling, the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling operates a 24-hour helpline. You can also reach the national problem gambling helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), available around the clock via phone, text, and online chat.