Online Poker in Maryland - Best MD Online Poker Sites 2025
Maryland, like many states, doesn’t have any specific laws on the books about playing online poker. Rest assured that you can play real money Maryland online poker without a hitch because the laws on gambling in general are never enforced against people playing cards privately on their computers.
Since the Federal government of the United States has no laws on the books that preclude individuals from engaging in this activity, players who wish to engage in online poker from Maryland are free to play to their heart's content without fear of prosecution. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 and the Wire Act have been determined to not apply to poker at all although there has recently been some disagreement on this point. If you would like to know more about the varying opinions on this point, we have prepared a page about legal online poker for your enlightenment.
All you need to do is find safe sites to play on. Maryland has been a bit rough on operators, which has caused fewer sites to offer services to those in the state. Luckily, not all operators have been scared off, and there are still some great options available like SB Poker for those who want to play poker from this great state.
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2. Online Poker Legal? 3. Best MD Poker Sites 4. How to Play Online Poker
5.1. Game Selection 5.2. Cashier Methods 5.3. Bonuses & Promos 5.4. Rakeback
7.1. B&M Poker7.2. iPoker Regulation 7.3. Gambling History 7.4. Famous Poker Players 7.5. Alternatives to MD Online Poker
Top Maryland Online Poker Sites
Maryland has slim pickings when it comes to real money online poker options, at least, slimmer than other states. There are only five reputable places that provide poker services to the state that we were able to identify after considerable research. Those four are Sportsbetting.ag, Nitrobetting Poker, BetOnline, CoinPoker, and SwcPoker.
All of the sites below are safe and legal. You will not get into any trouble for playing poker on these sites! Professional Rakeback has vetted these sites as well. They all pay out, no scams to be found in these lists. We only offer legit sites to our readers. How do we know they are legit? We are professional poker players, and we play on these sites ourselves!
Is Online Poker Legal in Maryland?
Maryland law has statutes against anyone who makes a “bet, wager, or gamble,” which includes poker. Even if we don't consider poker a “gamble,” it definitely involves bets or wagers, so is certainly included as a prohibited activity. Good news though – the only penalty is a fine, and a violation of this provision does not count as a criminal conviction.
Even better news is the fact that the only players who have received such fines are those involved in underground live poker games. This law has never been applied to online poker play. Therefore, you're in the clear, legally speaking, if you want to enjoy online poker in Maryland.
Best Maryland Online Poker Sites
Below is a list of great internet poker sites for you to choose from! No matter which of these reputable organizations you sign up with, you'll be able to look forward to honest games, well-functioning software, and superb customer support.
- SB Poker - Bad Beat Jackpots, leaderboards, contests, other promos.
- BetOnline - Excellent mobile poker software.
- Coin Poker - Best site for cryptocurrency enthusiasts.
- SwCPoker - Many poker formats (NLHE, PLO, PLO8, Razz, HORSE, and more).
- Nitrobetting - Bitcoin games, in-browser software.
How to Play Online Poker in Maryland
It's pretty easy to figure out how to sign up and begin playing online poker, but we've included instructions below on how to get started at our favorite online poker site,SB Poker. If you elect to play somewhere else, the specific steps might vary somewhat, but the overall process should remain very similar.
- Follow our link for SB Poker.
- Enter your personal information in the registration form that appears. Remember to do so accurately because you'll have to complete ID verification before withdrawing any wins, and any discrepancies could lead to account termination and the confiscation of your money.
- Click the button that says, “Register,” after you've completed the form, and your new account will be created.
- SB Poker might send a text message with a code to confirm your mobile number. Enter the code sent into the appropriate field on the Ignition website to proceed.
- If all previous steps were successful, you can now head over to the cashier and make your first deposit (we recommend using Bitcoin or Litecoin to deposit).
How We Evaluate Maryland Online Poker Sites – Choosing the Best Internet Poker Room
The providers of online poker in Maryland do not offer the same benefits. We've researched how they compare across several categories in order to identify the best sites available.
Game Variety and Traffic
The lineup of games offered by each site varies, and even among the most popular game formats (NL Hold'em, Pot Limit Omaha, and PLO/8), the blind levels spread are different at each site. These differences are magnified when we include sit n' goes and tournaments.
Beyond this, some rooms offer fast-fold poker, lottery-style single-table games with randomized multipliers, step tournaments, freerolls, and other innovative game types. The lineups of such games are very distinct from one site to another.
Deposit and Withdrawal Processors
Some Maryland poker rooms have healthy support for traditional payment methods, like credit cards and checks. However, they all transact in newer financial instruments too, like Bitcoin and other cryptos. These digital assets preserve users' freedom from financial restrictions and enable speedy, low-cost transactions.
If you're not sure of how to get started using Bitcoin, then read this step-by-step Bitcoin walkthrough for more information.
Bonuses and Promotions
Most Maryland online poker rooms provide promotions to their loyal customers. These typically start with a welcome bonus upon first deposit. Later, customers can look forward to rake races, reload bonuses, loyalty programs, and other forms of recurring rewards to help them pad their balances and extend play time.
Online Poker Rakeback
Rakeback is one of the most beneficial types of poker promotions especially because it generally lasts forever rather than being time-limited as most other promos are. Rakeback is a percentage refund of all the rake you pay while playing poker, and it can really add up to big bucks. This is why we've decided to highlight this important online poker benefit and even include it in the name of our site: Professionalrakeback.
You can choose a rakeback poker site below to benefit from this lucrative setup:
- CoinPoker – 33% rakeback paid every Monday (must hold CHP token balance)
- SwCPoker – up to 50% rakeback (volume dependent)
- Nitrobetting – up to 35% rakeback paid monthly (volume dependent)
Reviews of Online Poker Sites for Maryland
We've compiled below important details about each of our recommended sites for online poker in Maryland. Read these reviews to get a better handle on what they have to offer, and sign up for the one that most appeals to you.
SB Poker/BetOnline
Deposit Methods
Credit Cards, Person to Person, Money Orders, Bank Wire, Cashiers Check, Bitcoin, Avalanche, Binance, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polygon, Ripple, Shiba Inu, Solana, Stellar, Tether, Tron, USD Coin
Pros
- Attached casino, live dealer casino, sportsbook, and racebook
- Speedy crypto-currency withdrawals
Cons
- High rake
Review
SB Poker and its partner BetOnline together comprise the third-largest U.S.-facing poker operator offering a variety of cash games with blinds up to $5/$10. NLH, PLO, PLO/8, 5 Card PLO, and 6 Card PLO are present as is fast-fold Boost Poker. SB Poker offers Bad Beat Jackpots across all NLHE and PLO games.
Other popular offerings include SNGs, randomized Windfall SNGs, and multi-table tournaments.
SB Poker is available for download on any Windows or Mac device. Android and iOS users can also access a truly excellent mobile application to play poker on the go. The poker welcome bonus is 100% of your first deposit up to $1,000. Check out the attached casino and sportsbook to receive additional valuable promotions.
Coin Poker
Deposit Methods
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, CHP, Polygon, BNB
Pros
- Largest crypto-focused poker room
- Weekly rakeback offered
Cons
- Few poker formats available
Review
Crypto-currency poker is a growing niche, and CoinPoker has achieved a level of popularity that eclipses its peers. Here you can play on tables denominated in Tether (USDT), and you can additionally deposit and withdraw in several other coins, like Bitcoin and Ether.
The cash games offered are NL Hold'em, PL Omaha, and 5 Card Omaha. There are also multi-table tournaments and lottery-style Cosmic Spins.
You can play at CP from your PC, Mac, iOS device, or Android system. There welcome bonuses here is 150% up to $2,000. In addition, you can obtain 33% weekly rakeback by investing in the proprietary CHP token.
SwCPoker
Deposit Methods
Bitcoin
Pros
- Many niche forms of poker spread
- Up to 50% rakeback through Krill rewards
Cons
- Low number of players
Review
You might be bored of the standard trio of NLHE, PLO, and PLO/8 games, and this is where SwCPoker comes to the rescue. Here you can get your fill of these three formats but also enjoy HORSE, Razz, Seven Card Stud, 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball, Courchevel, and many other poker variants.
Nitrobetting
Deposit Methods
Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, USD Coin, BNB
Pros
- In-browser software means no download needed
- Up to 35% rakeback monthly
Cons
- Only two forms of poker present
- Low player volume
Review
If you're keen to play poker for bitcoins, then consider Nitrobetting. Unfortunately, here are only a few games running at any one time, and only two forms of poker spread: No Limit Hold'em and PLO.
Facts About the Maryland Poker Industry
The section below will provide detailed information regarding the legality of online poker, live gambling venues, current and potential future state regulation, and the history of gambling and poker in the state of Maryland.
Land-Based Gambling
The live gaming scene in Maryland is not one that is well-established, at least not in terms of its age. That is quickly changing though as Maryland Live! Is becoming more of a well-known and respected brand. The casino opened in 2012 but was only slot machines at the outset. By 2013, the full casino was opened and now it houses one of the more active poker rooms on the east coast.
With 50 tables spreading NL Hold'em, PLO, Limit Hold'em, and other variants as demand warrants, you won't have to wait long to get in a game. Low-stakes tournaments beckon almost every day of the week, and there are sometimes special events, like the Mid-Atlantic Poker Tour.
MGM National Harbor opened up in 2016, and it also has a bustling card room with 45 tables. Other smaller venues for cards are the Horseshoe Baltimore and Hollywood Casino Perryville.
State Regulation
The chances of regulation in Maryland are about average in comparison to the rest of the states in the US. The electorate tends to lean a bit more conservative than one might think, but it isn’t anything ridiculous that would make it impossible to see legislation regulating online poker.
Indeed, when commercial casino gaming was first being legalized, mention was made of adding online gambling to the mix, but nothing came of these first halting steps. With Maryland now being home to major casinos that have proven to be very popular, especially among poker players, it’s a little easier to see internet gaming legislation happening as well because it would be another revenue stream for the Maryland government. Neighbors like Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia already have laws enabling state-licensed interactive poker, and New Jersey's online gambling market is not too far away either.
It’s much easier to get online poker passed once the door has been opened for more gambling in the state especially if revenues from casinos stay high and the citizens can see that they aren't bringing about the negative effects that opponents like to bring up. Furthermore, the regulation of daily fantasy sports in 2012 and the liberalization of the state's general anti-gambling laws in 2019 give us hope that lawmakers will not be opposed to an expansion into online poker in the near future.
History of Gambling in Maryland
The earliest forms of gambling in Maryland were race track wagering and the lottery. However, they and all other gambling were banned by an 1835 law.
The Maryland Racing Commission was founded in 1920 to oversee legalized horse race wagering. The Maryland Lottery was established in 1972.
In more modern times, commercial casinos were finally permitted by law in 2008. They initially were permitted to only offer slots, but table games and poker were added later. In 2012, Daily Fantasy Sports was regulated.
Famous Maryland Poker Players
For a state of its size, Maryland punches far above its weight in creating world-class poker players. Among its natives are 2012 WSOP Main Event winner Greg Merson, who hails from Laurel, and online cash legend and poker training site owner Phil Galfond who is from North Potomac. Anthony Gregg, Steven Dannenmann, and Christian Harder are other Marylanders who have made their mark on the poker world.
Alternatives to Registering Your Account in the State of Maryland
Players who are lucky enough to have another address in a nearby state, be it a business address, summer home, second apartment, family home, etc, may have other online poker options available. Here is a list of the states that border Maryland and Professional Rakeback's review on each of them: Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Delaware. If you are the type that flies far and wide, perhaps you have a residence in a state not listed above. In that case, please take a look at our more comprehensive real money online poker guide.
Many of your friends and family don't know they have options. Please consider sharing this information with them and helping to regrow the poker community.
Summary of Online Poker in Maryland
Online poker in Maryland isn't as booming as it is in some other states, but there are still a few sites for state residents to choose from. Maryland online poker is certainly a welcome diversion from the hassles of everyday living, and you can enjoy this hobby safely, securely, and without worrying about legal prosecution.
Responsible Gaming
We at Professional Rakeback encourage responsible gaming. Online poker should be fun and entertaining. If you feel that it has become more than a form of recreation and threatens to negatively affect your personal or professional life, then you can take advantage of the following resources:
- Gamblers Anonymous
- National Problem Gambling Helpline
- Maryland.gov Problem Gambling Page
- Play Maryland Responsible Gambling
Frequently Asked Questions
If there are still questions you have about online poker in Maryland, then look below for the answers. We've carefully considered the most common queries on this topic so that we can answer our visitors' concerns.
No, none of the Maryland internet poker sites possess licensure from the state. This is because there have not been any laws passed setting up regulation for the MD online poker industry.
Thus, all operators that transact within Maryland must conduct their affairs without the explicit approval of officials in Annapolis. They're based offshore, beyond the reach of domestic law enforcement.
Yes, for all intents and purposes, it's legal to play online poker in Maryland. The state's statutes against gambling haven't ever been used to target individual internet poker players. Their focus is instead on those actually running the games especially if they're located inside the state.
Well, yes, there's nothing really stopping PokerStars from legally doing business in the State of Maryland. However, the company voluntarily agreed to abandon the American market except for states where internet poker has been specifically legalized by the authorities, and Maryland is not on this list. Currently, the only states in which PokerStars is active are New Jersey and Pennsylvania, so you cannot play at 'Stars from Maryland.
In Maryland, there's a dual system of gambling ages set up. To play in a physical casino, you must be 21 or older. However, the lottery and pari-mutuel wagering are permitted to those as young as 18.
Online, most sites use 18 as the dividing line. You ought not to try to play real money games over the internet if you're under 18 because the websites won't let you sign up. If you endeavor to circumvent these restrictions, whether through falsifying your personal details or borrowing the account of someone else, you could be subject to having your money confiscated should your deception be uncovered.
It used to be pretty challenging for internet poker rooms to accept money from customers and pay out their winnings. Fortunately, innovative fintech developments mean that this is no longer the case.
All of the sites that we recommend above allow you to use Bitcoin to fund your account, and they will willingly pay out your winnings via this same crypto-currency. Bitcoin bypasses cumbersome banking regulations and governmental interference to facilitate speedy transactions with low fees.
A growing number of gaming operators now accept other crypto coins as well, like Bitcoin Cash and Ethereum. Yet, Bitcoin, as the originator of the entire field, is the most commonly used and supported crypto-currency for online gaming.
Both the Internal Revenue Service and the Comptroller of Maryland expect to receive their cut of whatever personal income you make, and poker winnings are no exception. Actually, as a Maryland resident, you may also owe a few percent of your income to your local county.
Giving complex tax advice is beyond our abilities and the scope of this page. If you would like to learn more about your tax obligations related to poker or other gambling income, then we advise you to consult with a qualified tax lawyer or tax preparation specialist.
Yes, most poker sites let you play from your phone or tablet. Whichever of the five rooms that we have described on this page you end up joining, you'll be able to enter the poker client on your Android or iOS device. In some cases, even a less common system, like BlackBerry and Windows Phone, may work fine too.
Additional Resources
Maryland gambling has expanded a bit in recent years, and you can find out more with these links:
We strive to maintain this information and update it frequently with our research. However, we are not immune to making mistakes or omitting information that you, dear reader, may find of use. If you have any further questions not addressed in this guide or have noted any discrepancies or inaccuracies we urge you to contact us with your questions and concerns so that we may swiftly address them!