Under the new rules, anyone caught placing an unlawful bet could be subjected to a $500-$1,000 citation, depending on the amount of money on the line. In April 2019, Maryland lawmakers amended the regulations. A misdemeanor charge, it carried a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail and a hefty fine.

Until recently, the punishment for engaging in illegal gambling as a player was harsh. Maryland defines gambling as “wagering or betting in any manner to receive something of value dependent upon the result of any race, contest, or contingency.” Charitable bingo was legalized in 1952, and in 1973 Maryland residents voted in favor of establishing a state lottery.Ītlantic City-style brick and mortar casinos were approved in 2008, following a statewide referendum. The first races at the Pimlico Race Course were held in the 1740s, and the industry was allowed to operate with no dedicated regulations until 1870. Maryland can be considered a regional gambling hotspot, especially when it comes to horse racing and tournament poker.

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