Maryland Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018

Introduction to Maryland Slot Machine Casino Gambling 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 pari-mutuel wagering facilities, but none are legally allowed to have slot machines.

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This post continues the weekly blog series Online Resource: State-By-State Slots Gambling Summaries, 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 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.

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*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

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission along with the Gaming Control Agency are responsible for gaming regulations. Together, for each facility, they oversee:

• 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 Handover, 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.

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Non-Tribal Casinos in Maryland

The six casinos and two cruise ships in Maryland offering VLT-style slot machines are:

1. Casino at Ocean Downs in Berlin located 133 miles southeast of Baltimore on the Delaware border has 892 slot machines and 18 table games
2. Carnival Pride international cruise ship at the Port of Baltimore
3. Hollywood Casino Perryville located 44 miles northeast of Baltimore has 822 slot machines and 19 table games
4. Horseshoe Casino Baltimore having 2,194 slot machines and 158 table games
5. Live! Casino & Hotel in Handover located 44 miles southwest of Baltimore and 11 miles south of Washington, DC has 3,813 slot machines and 198 table games
6. MGM Casino – National Harbor in Oxon Hill located 14 miles southwest of Baltimore has 3,136 slot machines and 198 table games
7. Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone located 132 miles west of Baltimore near the Pennsylvania border has 665 slot machines and 17 table games
8. Royal Caribbean International – Grandeur of the Seas at the Port Baltimore

American Indian 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.

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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.

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Summary of Maryland Slot Machine Casino Gambling 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.

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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.

2017 Archive: Maryland Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2017 – Maryland slot machine casino gambling exists at six casinos offering video lottery terminal style slot machines, out of 14 overall gambling establishments. Most recently, the MGM National Harbor casino in Oxon Hill opened in December 2016. Baltimore is home port to two international cruise ships offering slot machines.

Professor Slots Video on Maryland Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018

Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots

• Series: Online Resource: State-By-State Slots Gambling Summaries – Now in its second year, this series is an online resource dedicated to slot machine casino gambling enthusiasts. It provides 56 weekly, detailed gambling summarizes covering each U.S. state, territory, and the federal district to capture dynamic changes occurring of late in the U.S. gaming/gambling industry specific to slots play.
• Previous: Maine Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018 – Maine slot machine casino gambling consists of two pari-mutuel racinos offering slot machines and table games. The third racetrack offers only pari-mutuel wagering. The minimum legal limit for payout returns is 89%. Actual payout return statistics are available by month except for the most recent month, where they are available weekly.
• Next: Massachusetts Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018 – Massachusetts slot machine casino gambling consists of the newly-opened MGM Springfield casino resort, the Plainridge Park racino, and the international cruise ship NCL Dawn. Encore Boston Harbor is planned to open in mid-2019. The minimum payout return limit is 80% and actual payout returns are publicly available each month.