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Introduction to Maryland Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2018
Maryland slot machine casino gambling consists of six casinos. These land-based casinos offer only video lottery terminal (VLT) style slot machines. Maryland also has cruise ships offering onboard gambling options when traveling in international waters.
A minimum payout return percentage has been legally set by Maryland law. However, actual payout return statistics are not publicly available.
Other gambling locations exist in Maryland, such as bingo halls and
This post continues the weekly series Online Resource: A State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambling enthusiasts to success. Each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or the federal district.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Maryland*
The minimum legal gambling age in Maryland depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
Further, anyone intoxicated is prohibited from playing VLTs per state law. Also, cruise ships out of Baltimore have a minimum legal gambling age of 18.
In 2008, Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing slot machines at five locations in the state. This included a licensing and regulatory legal framework for casino operators, employees, and contractors as well as specifying where to spend state gaming proceeds.
In 2012, Maryland voters approved a gaming expansion bill legally allowing table games at Maryland casinos. It also allowed a sixth Maryland casino. This gambling license was awarded in December 2013, resulting in MGM National Harbor opening 3 years later.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws apply to various forms of gambling. This information is not intended to provide legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Maryland
It is legal to privately own a slot machine in Maryland if it is 25 years old or older.
Gaming Control Board in Maryland
Maryland Lottery and Gaming is responsible for gaming regulations in Maryland. For each gaming facility, it oversees:
- Internal controls
- Auditing and accounting procedures
- Safety and security
- Surveillance
- Employee background investigation and licensing
- Day-to-day operation of machines
- Compliance
- Responsible gambling program
Casinos in Maryland
There are 6 non-tribal casinos, 0 American Indian tribal casinos, 1 non-tribal racino, and 2 cruise ships based in Maryland.
The largest casino in Maryland is Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, reported having 3,813 VLTs and 198 table games in November 2018.
The second largest casino is MGM Casino – National Harbor in Oxon Hill, reported having 3,136 VLTs and 198 table games.
Mgm Casino In National Harbor
List of Casinos in Maryland
The six casinos and two cruise ships in Maryland offering VLT-style slot machines are:
- Casino at Ocean Downs in Berlin located 133 miles southeast of Baltimore on the Delaware border has 892 slot machines and 18 table games
- Carnival Pride international cruise ship at the Port of Baltimore
- Hollywood Casino Perryville located 44 miles northeast of Baltimore has 822 slot machines and 19 table games
- Horseshoe Casino Baltimore having 2,194 slot machines and 158 table games
- Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover located 11 miles southwest of Baltimore and 30 miles northeast of Washington, DC has 3,813 slot machines and 198 table games
- MGM Casino – National Harbor in Oxon Hill located 14 miles southwest of Baltimore has 3,136 slot machines and 198 table games
- Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone located 132 miles west of Baltimore near the Pennsylvania border has 665 slot machines and 17 table games
- Royal Caribbean International – Grandeur of the Seas at the Port Baltimore
List of Tribal Casinos in Maryland
Maryland has no tribal casinos. In part, this is due to Maryland having no federally-recognized American Indian tribes.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying Maryland slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state.
Maryland is bordered by:
- North: Pennsylvania Slots
- East: Delaware Slots
- South: Virginia Slots and District of Columbia Slots
- West: West Virginia Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my state-specific blog for that bordering state to Maryland.
Payout Returns in Maryland
Maryland state gaming regulations require an average minimum payout return of 87% for each VLT gaming machine. Further, each casino licensee must establish an average payout return percentage between 90% and 95%, overall, for their VLT machines.
Our Maryland Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Maryland? If so, join our new Maryland slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to freely join this closed Facebook Group.
There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in or near Maryland. Come join us!
Summary of Maryland Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2018
Maryland slot machine casino gambling consists of six casinos with VLT-style slot machines controlled by the Maryland gaming control board. Further, two cruise ships sailing out of the Port of Baltimore offer casino gambling via slot machines while traveling to international destinations.
Maryland gaming regulations have set a per-machine minimum payout return percentage of 87%. Further, they have legally set per-casino minimum and maximum payout return percentages at 90% and 95%, respectively.
Annual Progress in Maryland Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Over the last year, the largest casino in Maryland reduced their number of VLT-style slots from 4,337 to 3,813, a 12% reduction, while table games increased from 125 to 198. The second largest casino only had a 5% decrease in slots but table games increased from 140 to 198.
Best Slots At Mgm National Harbor
Archive: Maryland Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2017
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
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Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC