Maryland Online Poker 2024 – Is It Legal? Get $1,000 + at the Best Real Money MD Poker Sites

If you’re wondering where to enjoy the best Maryland online poker, read on to get started. This guide will also help you figure out what kind of bonuses and promotions are in store for you.

Features such as payment options and payout speeds will take center stage. If you’re from the Free State, put on your best poker face and join us as we unpack the inner workings of online poker in Maryland.

Maryland Online Poker Gambling at a Glance

At present Maryland, doesn’t offer any domestic online real-money poker options, but that may change in the near future as sports betting became legal in 2021 and has been a huge success, and the bill SB0267 was put forward in early 2023 could see online poker legalized if passed. Below we have provided a brief overview of the current poker options in the state:

The Best Online Poker Maryland Sites

Before you can pick your favorite MD online poker site, there are a few issues to consider. The availability and size of bonuses, game selection, and payment methods are some of the most crucial factors. We’ve already done a huge part of the job for you and came up with this top list

1. Everygame – The most popular option for Maryland Poker online.
2. Bovada – Loads of tournaments for MD players.
3. BetOnline – Excellent poker traffic.
4. Sportsbetting.ag – The most diversified games lobby, offering online poker for Maryland.
5. Lucky Block – MD online poker site with lucrative welcome bonuses.
6. Mega Dice – Telegram poker site for MD Players.
7. TG Casino – Newest MD poker site with innovative features.

Maryland Online Poker Sites Reviewed

Even among these excellent online poker sites, every player will find one or two operators that speak to their unique gaming needs. As such, we’ll review the top three online poker sites in Maryland, so you know what each one has to offer.

1. Everygame – The Most Popular Option for Maryland Poker Online

Everygame has created a user-friendly casino, particularly for poker fans of the Horizon Poker Network, with an intuitive site and two casino lobbies that consist of the best and latest casino games. From slots to table games created by developers such as BetSoft, you can also make use of the Everygame bonus codes, which will enable you to make an exciting start on the platform.

The platform also boasts the latest SSL technology, which encrypts all data on the site and keeps your details safe. However, Everygame only accepts three crypto deposit options – BTC, BCH, and LTC along with a few other traditional banking options and eWallets.

 

2. Bovada – Loads of Tournaments for MD Players

Bovada is another top Maryland online poker site, consistently holding tournaments every week. You can also find numbers of sit ‘n go tables, loads of video poker titles, and generous bonuses for new players.

What really makes Bovada special, though, is how easy it is to use the platform. The lobby offers a seamless experience and encourages players to try out new games. At the same time, the individual games make betting simple and offer an excellent user interface. Bovada also has real money online casino apps for iOS and Android so that you can play from anywhere.

 

3. BetOnline – Excellent Poker Traffic

If you are a Maryland poker enthusiast, we would suggest you have look at BetOnline. It simply checks all the boxes: good traffic on the network, poker-specific bonus, and great guarantees if you are a tournament player. Just make sure you’re 21 or older – the legal age to gamble in Maryland.

BetOnline is on the Chico Poker Network, and as such offers the basics of poker variants for its players. You can find Omaha and Texas in both limit and no limit. The app allows you to easily be seated at a table and works on both desktop and mobile devices.

The time it takes to be seated is pretty modest, you will not have to wait long before you find your seat and are ready to be dealt in. This brings us to the limits, which start out at $0.05/0.05 which is more than okay as a micro-limit and goes up to $15/30. Although, the higher stakes tables do take longer to populate.

And this brings us to the logistic part of this review: payment, and bonuses. You have everything from credit cards to cryptocurrency banking options. For most banking options, you can expect your money in 1 to 2 days. The platform offers BetOnline promo codes, just for poker lovers. When you sign up and make your first deposit, BetOnline will double your deposit up to $1,000.

This online gambling site was established in the early 2000s which means that the BetOnline team is seasoned. You also don’t have to worry about your safety because BetOnline is a regulated platform that adheres to industry standards in terms of data encryption and security.

If you ever run into some kind of trouble, customer support will be ready and waiting. Generally, BetOnline is a very professional operator which we just had to include in our top list of online poker real money Maryland sites.

 

4. SportsBetting.ag – Most Diversified Games Lobby, Offering Online Poker for Maryland

Although this is a sportsbook at heart – they do have a rather good poker room. SportsBetting’s poker segment covers the basic choices with Texas Hold’em and Omaha and the network, Chico Poker fills in with opponents most hours of the day.

You will find both network and unique promotional tournaments and freerolls for Sportsbetting.ag, so you are in for a treat if you are a tournament player.

Many Maryland poker websites do not seem to be struggling with customer service. However, SportsBetting has a few complaints on user forums for slow response and other issues. But the casino payment options are standard, offering a significant number of deposit and withdrawal options for players. You can also use some crypto platforms for deposits and payouts.

And the payment methods are all very swift. When you register for a new account, you will get a 50% bonus of up to $1,000. Existing customers have boatloads of SportsBetting promo codes to pick and choose from.

 

5. Lucky Block – Massive Welcome Bonus

Lucky Block is primarily an online casino but has a poker game variety offering plenty of fun and entertainment. Although there is no traditional poker room, there are over 30 different live casino poker and video poker games to enjoy. What’s more, the generous $10,000 welcome bonus is huge compared to some other promotions on the market, making it deal for all types of player and budget sizes.

Another highlight of Lucky Block is that it has a variety of banking options for both fiat and crypto payments, including Bitcoin, making it a flexible site for adding and removing funds from your account. Additionally, the level of customer support channels is limited but accessible throughout the day for members via live chat.

 

More on Gambling in Maryland…

Learn about all types of online gambling in Maryland in our expert guides below:

• Maryland Sports Betting
• Maryland Real Money Online Casinos

Online Poker Maryland – The Top Sites Compared

Maryland poker sites present several gambling possibilities. As an individual player, you will obviously have unique perspectives on certain aspects of poker. That is why our team took the time to examine each website carefully and come up with a comprehensive comparison. It will hopefully help you make a better and more informed decision when being able to compare your options side by side.

Is Online Poker Legal in Maryland?

The Free State isn’t that free when it comes to gaming legislation. Technically, online poker in Maryland does not have specific regulations and is therefore illegal. Generally, the law prohibits gambling of any kind unless it is authorized by the government. Currently, the state allows horse racing, slot machines in land casinos, and electronic table games.

Is online poker legal in Maryland? Quick answer—no. The state of Maryland hasn’t approved any operator to offer online poker or other online casino games to residents. But, since the law does not explicitly state that online poker is illegal, the state cannot prevent its residents from accessing offshore poker sites.

Therefore, many players from Maryland can access poker tournaments from the internet. It is not advisable however to play at an unregulated website. That is why we recommend that players confirm if an online casino is licensed by a reputable governing body such as Curacao or Gibraltar. The offshore sites on our list offer an opportunity for you to get a safe and reliable online poker experience.

Video Poker

Video poker is an exciting game that is completely different from traditional online poker Maryland games. Unlike poker, the game is played from a machine that is identical to a slot machine. The game is a mix of slots and 5-card poker.

The video poker machine draws cards randomly from a virtual deck. Therefore, this game follows strict regulations and must be audited for randomness. Many players prefer video poker because it’s much easier to play and manage wagers. Table poker tends to have strict rules and an erratic wagering system.

Variations of video poker include Deuces Wild and Joker’s Wild. In Maryland, video poker is available at land-based casinos such as Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland along with slots machines. There are no Maryland poker sites that are licensed by the authorities to operate from within the state but you may also enjoy video poker from online casinos such as SportsBetting.

Casual Poker – Home Games

Although unregulated gambling is illegal, you can play a poker game with a group of friends. Playing at a casual poker table is a great place to build your skills while catching up with friends. This gives you a real feel of real-money gaming as you will be able to place some small wagers. However, there is no risk as you will be playing with your friends in a safe environment at home.

Home games are perfectly legal as long as all the players can stick to a few rules. You may not advertise an upcoming home poker event to members of the public through any form of media. All the participants in the event should be actual friends outside of the game and be over 21 years of age. You can’t host the games more than once a week.

The total wagers must not exceed $1,000 within 24 hours. The game must be played in a private home and not in a public place. The organizer of such a game shouldn’t accept any fees from the participants. As you can see, Maryland seems very strict when it comes to gambling regulations, even for home poker.

Offshore Poker Sites in Maryland

Maryland is one of the few states in the United States that has tried to take action against offshore gambling sites. In 2012 Maryland indicted Calvin Ayre founder of Bodog on charges of illegal gambling and money laundering. The case was finally resolved in 2017 Calvin Ayre pleaded guilty to one single misdemeanor charge.

Even though the charges were dropped and the Bodog domain that was seized was returned it is no surprise that many offshore sites opt not to offer their services to those in Maryland due to the financial losses and prosecution that one of the peers faced.

History of Gambling in Maryland

Maryland is a state with a long history of gambling. In fact, The Maryland Jockey Club started in 1743, was the first organized sporting association in the US. In the 1940s Maryland was the first state outside of Nevada to have legitimate slot machine gaming and southern Maryland became a popular destination for gambling tourists. However, in 1968 the state government once again banned slot machines in MD.

For decades Maryland remained a state with very few legal gambling options but 2008 saw a referendum pass, allowing five casinos to open. At first, they only contained slots but casino card games and poker were added several years later. In 2021, both retail and online sports betting became legal in the state when bill HB0940 was passed.

Maryland Poker – Live and in Person

In addition to offshore Maryland online poker, players can use physical casinos. There are six land-based casinos in Maryland, we will take a closer look at three of them below.

Horseshoe Baltimore Casino

Address: 1525 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

Located in the heart of Maryland, Horseshoe is a state-of-the-art facility with a large gaming floor featuring a variety of casino games. The famous World Series of Poker Room is a stylish 22-table hall that can take 8 players at each table.

If you know you got some skills to show off, this casino allows you to participate in different daily and weekly tournaments that run throughout the year. The Poker room comes to life after midday when the main events start. You can enjoy regular tournaments with guarantees of up to $2,500.

MGM National Harbor

Address: 101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD

Located in Prince George’s County, MGM National Harbor was launched in 2016. This is one of the largest casinos in the state and features spectacular gaming floors. The Poker room houses 37 tables and each accommodates up to 8 players. The exquisite poker room includes 9 high-limit tables for those high-roller players with mad skills.

The facility is relatively busy and opens 24 hours a day, offering some great games and popular tournaments. MGM poker games include but are not limited to 5-Card Omaha, No Limit Hold’em, and Pot-Limit Omaha.

Live! Hotel & Casino Maryland

This casino is arguably the best location for poker in Maryland, and it is Live! (and kicking). The facility has something you might never find at poker online Maryland platforms. And that’s great cuisine.

The Live! poker room holds over 50 tables. The place is a hive of activity all year round with endless tournaments that pool thousands of dollars in prizes. Live! Hotel & Casino is open 24/7 for a non-stop experience. You can enjoy Buy-in tournaments and Triple Stacks tournaments with a guaranteed prize pool of $15,000.

Benefits of Playing Poker Online vs Land-based Casino

While playing poker online can’t completely recreate the atmosphere of playing poker in person there are plenty of benefits that more than make up for it. The first is the convenience of being able to play a game at any time, wherever you are. Online poker rooms never shut and you will be able to find cash games or tournaments at any time day or night.

Online poker sites also offer many free tournaments, where you can win cash or entry into high-value online tournaments or even big real-world tournaments like the WSOP. In addition, online poker sites often provide users with a plethora of bonuses such as welcome deposit matches and reload bonuses.

Offshore Poker Sites in Maryland

Maryland is one of the few states in the United States that has tried to take action against offshore gambling sites. In 2012 Maryland indicted Calvin Ayre founder of Bodog on charges of illegal gambling and money laundering. The case was finally resolved in 2017 Calvin Ayre please guilty to one single misdemeanor charge.

Even though the charges were dropped and the Bodog domain that was seized was returned it is no surprise that many offshore sites opt not to offer their services to those in Maryland due to the financial losses and prosecution that one of the peers faced.

Maryland Online Poker

Although Maryland boasts 6 different physical casinos, some of which offer world-class live poker rooms, punters will always look for more options. Online poker for Maryland makes it possible for gamblers to enjoy an entire world of top casino entertainment in the comfort of their homes. And with some platforms offering quality mobile sites and apps, it means you can play all day while on the go.

Many, old-fashioned gamers would rather take that trip to Hanover and play at the Live! Poker Room. However, if you do not like the hassles associated with traveling to and from a casino just to play a game of poker, then online poker real-money Maryland sites are your absolute solution. Here are some undeniable benefits of playing online.

Poker Bonuses

Most land-based casinos have perks for high-rollers. To score a simple free drink comp, you may have to play for a lot of cash. Online casino promotions on the other hand will reward you for making a minimum deposit. With match deposit bonuses, if you deposit as little as $20, the casino will boost your account with a $20 site credit.

Keeping Track of Hands

Even if you have the sharpest brain, it won’t always be easy for you to keep track of the moves you make in a live poker match. However, with Maryland poker sites such as BetOnline, you’ll find in-built stats features that help you keep track of all your hands. This gives you a true advantage which you can couple with your skills and stand a better chance of winning.

Multitabling

So maybe you are one of those people who love to have a lot of things going on at the same time? Well, online poker does give you the opportunity to sit down and play at several different tables all at once. At most operators, the cap is only provided by your screen resolution and your eyesight.

Payment Methods for Playing Online Poker in Maryland

One of the most important aspects of any online poker site in Maryland is that they offer a variety range of fast, easy, and safe payment methods.  Below we run through some of the most commonly accepted payment options for deposits and withdrawals at Maryland poker sites.

Deposits

Before you can start playing online poker in Maryland the first thing you need to do is get some money in your account. In this section, we will go over some essential information about the most widely used deposit methods available at online poker sites.

Credit & Debit Cards

Almost all poker sites in Maryland accept major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, and AMEX. Using cards to deposit has long been a popular method to make payments online as it’s simple, quick, and almost everyone has a bank card. While this method is convenient it is important to know that most offshore sites charge a transaction fee for deposits made via cards.

Wire Transfer

Wire transfers allow you to directly wire money to a site’s bank account from your own account. Since Internet banking has been a thing this method is also extremely convenient, as it takes just a few minutes using your mobile banking app. However, like with credit cards, there are almost fees attached for this method and the minimum deposits are usually set quite high.

Bitcoin

Bitcoin is becoming the favored method to deposit funds for many online gamblers in recent years. The reason for this is that Bitcoin transactions are secure, processed quickly, and the min/max limits are usually less restrictive than alternative methods. In addition, there are usually no fees charged by online poker sites for BTC and the best Bitcoin online poker sites also offer lucrative Bitcoin bonuses.

Cryptocurrency

As well as Bitcoin most online poker sites accept at least 4 or 5 other cryptocurrencies the most commonly found ones being Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, and Litecoin. The same benefits that you get with Bitcoin are afforded to other cryptos as well such as no fees, increased bonuses, more flexible deposit limits, and speedy processing times.

eWallets

Another popular digital transaction method is popular at online poker sites eWallets. Most offshore sites, unfortunately, do not accept PayPal but other popular wallets like Skrill, Neteller, Google Pay, and Apple Wallet are widely available. The deposit limits are not usually as flexible as crypto and you don’t get the added bonuses either but there are almost always no fees for this method and transaction times are fast.

Withdrawals

When it comes to extracting your poker winnings, in most cases you will be able to use the same method you used to deposit your money. However, most offshore sites do not allow users to withdraw funds to a credit or debit card. We will take a look at the best ways to withdraw your funds below:

Wire Transfer

Wire transfers are easy enough to request from an online poker site, however, there it takes 7-14 days to receive the funds back into your account. In addition, there are also fees attached usually a flat rate in the region of $50-100 and the minimum payout amount is usually at least $50.

Check

Most sites offer the option of having a check sent out via courier. It’s easy to request but this is possibly the method that takes the longest as it will likely be 10-15 business days before you receive the check then you would need to deposit at your bank. There are also fees for this method and the minimum withdrawal amount is usually fairly high.

Bitcoin & Other Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is one of the best ways to cash out from MD poker sites for a few reasons. The first is that there are almost always zero fees. Another reason is that the payout times are usually 24-48 hours and for some sites it can take just a few minutes. Finally, the minimum withdrawal limit is usually $10-$20 and the maximum is much higher than other methods and in some instances, there is no maximum.

eWallets

Using eWallets for withdrawals is also usually free at most sites and again the processing times are much faster than fiat options like bank transfers and checks by courier.

Making Maryland Online Poker Deposits

To make online poker for Maryland convenient many sites now offer cryptos. However, credit card payment platforms like Visa and MasterCard are still great and offer great security with reasonable processing times. So, check out the table below and see how each site and each payment method performs.

Playing in Online Poker Real Money Maryland Sites

There are no regulated sites in the Free State but thanks to offshore poker rooms, residents have options. We understand that each player has different needs and wants. That’s why we carefully picked out a range of poker online Maryland sites that embody different characteristics that will appeal to each type of player.

If your privacy is important to you, your best option would be to play your poker at a site that offers anonymity with cryptocurrency payments. Now, while a site like SportsBetting is great for that, BetOnline is the best spot for anonymous poker sessions. Lucky Block is also great for its comprehensive rewards programs.

Are you interested in betting online? – Check out our Maryland Sports Betting Guide to learn everything you need to know before opening an account with a sportsbook in Maryland.

Tips for Online Poker Real Money – Maryland

To begin your online poker journey, here are a few tips on playing to win poker.

Famous Maryland Poker Players

Maryland has produced a fair number of hugely successful players that have earned millions of dollars throughout their poker careers. One of the most noteworthy MD players is Anthony Gregg from Columbia, MD. He has won over $12 million from playing poker and has one WSOP bracelet to his name as well as winning one World Poker tour Title.

Another successful Maryland native is Christian Harder. He has never won a WSOP bracelet but has the 2nd most consecutive cash finishes in the main event, which is four, between 2012-2013.

Poker Games to Play in Maryland

There are multiple variations of poker most of which were invented in the US during the 1800s and early 1900s. The standard order of play applies to most poker games but they differ in the cards dealt, the betting rounds, the winning hands, and other actions that happen between rounds. In the section below we will take a look at some of the most popular types of poker games in Maryland.

Texas Hold ’em: This is the poker variant that most people are familiar with. In Texas Hold’em The player to the left of the dealer must place a small blind and the player to the left of them puts in a large blind. In some games, there may be an ante for every player.

Omaha:  Omaha is another popular poker variant that is similar to Texas Hold’em with two main differences. The first key difference is that in Omaha players are dealt four hole cards. The second main contrast is that players’ final hand has to be made up of exactly two of their hole cards and three of the community cards.

Omaha Hi-Lo: Hi-Lo is played in the same way as standard Omaha is, but in Hi-Lo the winning hands are different. In this variant, the pot is split between the players with the best hand and the worst hand.

Stud Poker: There are multiple different variations of stud poker and the rules differ for each one. Players will be dealt a set number of cards either face up, face down, or a combination of both depending on what stud variant is being played.

The winner of stud poker will be whoever has the highest hand in most variants but there are some games like Hi-Lo or Razz where the worst hand can win. We have listed some of the most popular stud variations below:

5 Card Draw: This variant differs from many other poker variants as there are no community cards in 5 card draw and your final hand is made up of only your hole cards. In 5 card draw players are dealt five cards before a round of betting commences. Any remaining players then have the option to discard up to 5 of their hole cards and replace them with cards from the deck. However, many casinos and sites have a house rule of only being able to discard 3-4 of your cards.

Horse: Horse is a mixed poker game where five different poker variants are played. One game of each component game is played in this order; Hold’em, Omaha, Razz, Stud, and Eight or better. Once each game has been played once the cycle begins again.

How to Play Online Poker in Maryland

Now, to get the party started, you got to settle on a single online poker Maryland site. The website will need your personal details to create a unique account. Some sites will let you choose an alias and an avatar. This makes it easier for you to join the community of players and chat. Here are a few steps to set it all up.

Step 1: Register

Creating a new player account is very simple and takes a few minutes. All you have to do is find the Signup or Register button. Typically, you will need to provide your full name, address, date of birth, and password of your choice. Confirm you are over 21 years of age and accept the terms and conditions. Then submit the form.

Step 2: Confirm your account

Maryland poker sites need to know that they are dealing with real bettors who live in the US. Therefore, you will have to send your personal documents to them in an email attachment. The casino sites usually require copies of your ID, and proof of residence, like a utility bill or bank statement.

Step 3: Make your deposit

After creating your account, the site will give you the option to make your first-ever deposit. You just need to select your payment method from the available list and enter the amount. Your funds will immediately reflect on your Maryland poker online account.

Step 4: Start playing

Your account is ready and funded. This means you can get started. If you opt in, you will receive a welcome bonus which you can see in your bonus account. Now just browse the poker lobby and locate your favorite game. Most of the websites will have a help center that will show you how to play online poker for real money in Maryland. Enjoy!

MD Legislative Resources

Anyone interested in learning more about current gambling and poker legislation in the state or those who would like to contact local and state representatives to voice their opinions or concerns on the subject can use the links below:

MD Gambling Resources

If you believe that you or someone you know has a gambling problem, then we strongly encourage you to seek help. Below you can find links to two sites that can provide advice and local information and treatment services in your area.

Conclusion – Best Poker Site for MD Players

We have presented our top choices for poker online in this article, and the one poker site we would like to recommend is without a doubt Everygame. Regardless if you are a casual poker player or a pro, you can find both opponents and your correct stakes here.  It is an offshore brand of poker, thus making it accessible by most states without skimping on security.

In addition to the casino’s generous welcome bonus of up to $1,000, the casino offers numerous other promotions as well as exceptional customer service and a host of tournaments and poker games. Bettors don’t have to worry about data safety because the casino’s site is SSL secured, and payouts of casino and poker winnings are super fast.

 

Online Poker Maryland FAQs

Where can you gamble in Maryland?

Although Maryland poker sites aren’t legal yet, the state offers land-based casinos in six different locations. For example, there is Live! Hotel & Casino in Hanover, Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, and Ocean Downs in Berlin. All casinos in Maryland offer slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker. These casinos are fully legal in the state and are licensed by the government.

How to play online poker in Maryland?

To play online poker in Maryland, all you have to do is sign up to Everygame or any of the top Maryland poker online casinos on our list, make a small deposit, and start playing.

Can I legally play poker online in Maryland?

Online gambling, including poker, is not yet legalized in Maryland. However, players in the state have the option to travel to nearby states with legal online poker rooms or engage in offshore online gambling, where they can access a variety of casino games like slots, blackjack, poker, and roulette, along with attractive bonuses and promotions.

Is it safe to play online poker in Maryland?

Yes, it is absolutely safe to play online poker in Maryland provided you use a licensed and regulated site such as the ones we have reviewed on this page. Always remember to check that a site holds a valid gaming license from a reputable source before providing any personal information and depositing money.

When will online poker be legal in Maryland?

Online poker is currently not available within Maryland’s domestic options. However, the legalization of sports betting in 2021 and the introduction of bill SB0267 in early 2023 may lead to the legalization of online poker if the bill is passed. For now, players in Maryland can only access online poker through offshore sites, with a minimum age of 18.

Are the casinos accepting MD players regulated and licensed?

Not every site that accepts players online will be regulated and licensed but any site we review and recommend is 100% legit. We ensure any sites we recommend are fully licensed by trustworthy and reputable gaming authorities.