Legal Poker For Maryland Residents
While Maryland may be one of the tougher states to find legal places to play poker games, such as Texas Hold'em and Omaha, there are places that residents can turn. This is one of those places and LegalPokerInMaryland.com is always up-to-date with the latest news and information pertinent to poker players in Maryland.
This website will provide legal analysis along with other information relating to poker in Maryland. Besides convincing residents that it is totally safe to play real money poker at online poker sites, we have presented a current list of safe and legal online poker rooms that accept Maryland residents.
Maryland Poker Laws & Statutes
The state of Maryland is quite formidable when it comes to cracking down on operators of illegal gambling facilities within its jurisdiction. The state has worked hand in hand with the federal government to prosecute a number of gambling operators.
The state prohibits all forms of gambling. Gambling is illegal in Maryland until and unless it takes place in a state-licensed facility. Sections 12-102, 12-103, and 12-101(d) clearly define the words “bet,” “prohibit,” and “gambling device.” The definitions are very broad, giving law-enforcement agencies in Maryland the opportunity to interpret them in myriad ways and check illegal gambling activities within the state.
Penalties for illegal gambling in Maryland are quite severe, ranging from small fines to prison terms. A player caught taking part in illegal games in Maryland can get a prison term of anywhere between six months and one year along with fines of as much as $100. Illegal operators can be booked on several charges, putting them in deep trouble.
Maryland comprises several counties and each county is free to have its own gambling laws in addition to the state laws. A gambler should therefore get familiar with county laws as well as state laws before attempting to wager real money on outcomes of games in Maryland.
Although state laws prohibit home poker games, some counties in Maryland permit some forms of social gaming. Maryland has a booming charity gambling business.
Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in Maryland?
Maryland laws do not address the issue of playing poker for real money at online poker rooms. Online gambling operators, however, are wary of Maryland because the state obviously considers existing laws as applicable to online gambling too. Maryland has also, on several occasions, used its laws against online gambling operators.
Quite clearly, the state is against online gambling. While the state warns players against online gambling and stresses that it does not permit any online gambling in its jurisdiction, it has absolutely no law that clearly prohibits residents from playing real money poker online. Since the state cannot use non-existent laws against its residents, it can be safely said that registering at offshore online poker rooms and playing real money online poker games does not violate any of Maryland’s gambling laws. Residents are safe as long as they stick to legal offshore online poker rooms, such as the ones listed on this page.
Can I Get into Trouble for Playing Online Poker Maryland?
Maryland residents will not get into trouble for playing online poker at offshore online poker rooms. First, the state has absolutely no online poker laws that clearly prohibit residents from playing real money poker at offshore online poker rooms. The state cannot prosecute any resident for playing real money poker online; so far, the state has not penalized any of its residents for doing so. Second, the online poker rooms accepting Maryland residents are based in offshore countries and have nothing to do with Maryland laws. The state has no power over them as they are not located within its jurisdiction.
But the state definitely has the power to penalize operators of illegal online poker businesses within Maryland. It is risky for residents to play online poker at any online poker room operating in Maryland because the state does not license any such businesses. As long as residents stick to the online poker rooms listed on this page, they will be safe.
Legal Poker Sites That Accept Maryland Players
If you live in Maryland, there are no shortage of legal poker rooms to help you scratch an itch for both excitement and potential profit. However, after visiting the same few poker rooms time and time again, you can begin to feel that the game is limiting and that no one is really willing to help customize poker tournaments to your own liking. Well, take a look at some of these great legal poker sites for Maryland residents and think again.
BetOnline Poker - Most Trusted Online Poker Room For Maryland
The discerning Maryland resident should first visit BetOnline. Home to some the sleekest, best performing and most well designed poker software found anywhere on the internet, BetOnline offers much more than just flash for your hard earned buck. With one of the most customizable poker experiences available anywhere, an account with this legal online poker room means that you’ll be able to play poker however you choose, whenever you choose.
In order to prove to you how devoted they are to serving you and ensuring that you are completely satisfied with your online poker experience, BetOnline poker offers up one of the greatest deals for new customers you’ve ever seen. When you start up your new account and make your very first deposit, not only will you have all that money available for playing poker, but you will be eligible to receive a full 200% of your deposit back in free bonus money just from playing poker with your account. How many businesses offer you free money just for using their product? Counting BetOnline, we can think of one.
SportsBetting Poker - All Maryland Players 18+ Welcome Here
If you live in Maryland and you are a more discerning poker player, you may consider an account at the SportsBetting legal online poker room. Come for the famous sportsbook by which they are named, but stay for the fantastic poker room. With a sterling reputation for taking care of their customers and providing top notch service, you’ll never have to worry about being left in the dark as a customer. In fact, as a valued client, you will have access to legendary customer service. Should you ever run into a question, day or night you need only the 24/7 phone line related to the legal poker site to receive an answer from a live person in minutes.
However, all the service and reputation in the world don’t mean much if no attention is played to the game. Rest assured that with this poker site, this is not the case. SportsBetting poker customers have the ability to enter in a variety of guaranteed cash tournaments at their own discretion. In fact, over $100,000 in guaranteed money is given away every week. Most poker rooms will be lucky to hit that total in a month, but SportsBetting is of a higher caliber.
| Legal Maryland Poker Sites | Welcome Bonus | What To Play | Site Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Poker Play / Sign Up | $1,000 FREE - 100% Match | Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo - Stud Hi/Lo |  |
| BetOnline Poker Play / Sign Up | Maximum $1K: 200% Rate | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| SportsBetting Play / Sign Up | 200% Match / $1,000 Max | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| 5Dimes Poker Play / Sign Up | Vary Weekly - Check Website | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo |  |
Does Maryland Have Legal Land-Based Poker?
Playing poker for real money in Maryland is legal only in state-licensed and state-approved land based casinos. Playing home games is also risky since the state’s laws prohibit it. Besides, the state’s general gambling laws can apply to social gambling too, which is why players should steer clear of organizing and taking part in home poker games in Maryland.
Legal Land-Based Poker Rooms For Maryland Players
Most Maryland casinos are still under construction, and functioning casinos have only recently started offering poker cash games. Right now, players can play poker legally for real money at casinos such as Hollywood Casino Perryville, Maryland Live!, and Ocean Downs. There does not appear to be any other way of playing live poker legally.
Residents who crave the thrill and adventure of high-stakes cash games and online poker tournaments can register at any Maryland friendly online poker room, licensed in offshore gambling jurisdictions. The online poker rooms that we recommend are all Maryland friendly. Besides, they offer great bonuses and rewards for loyalty and run qualifier satellites to prestigious live poker events.
Future of Poker/Online Poker in Maryland
Since the state of Maryland has a large population and has expanded its land gambling offerings recently, it could legalize online poker too. Since the state has been making attempts to legalize the sale of lottery tickets online, it could seriously consider the pros and cons of legalizing intrastate online poker too.
Maryland is also keeping an eye on states such as New Jersey and Delaware that have recently legalized intrastate online gambling and consider Maryland as a potential partner in the formation of interstate gambling compacts. If online poker turns out to be successful in these states, Maryland could take positive steps in that direction.
