Another benefit to gambling online is that at legal online casinos for Maryland residents, players have the chance to collect money before play even begins, through online casino bonuses. Our list of legal online casinos for Maryland players include some of the best online casinos around, but do not take our word for it, see for yourself. A no deposit bonus is a reward offered by online casinos across the United States in an effort to get more players to sign up for their site. It’s one of the best ways to test out a new casino before depositing a lot of money.
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For many years, Nevada was the only place in the US to play a slot machine. The one-armed bandit has been synonymous with the state for decades.
However, for 21 years, from 1947 to 1968, Americans could find legal slot play in Maryland too.
In terms of significance, this fact makes Maryland one of the only states to ban gambling, then bring it back.
This history likely set the stage for Maryland’s moderate but passionate reintroduction back into the world of slot machines and table games.
The state has also become a pro-sports betting state. Voters overwhelmingly voted yes on Question 2 to legalize Maryland sports wagering during the state’s November 2020 election.
Sweepstakes casinos in Maryland
Social casino options
Marylanders have all of the typical options for social gaming. Double Down, Big Fish, Slotomania, Zynga, and MyVegas are all available through Facebook or mobile devices. Interestingly, the Hollywood Casino in Perryville does not feature its own social casino option. This is unusual for casinos branded by Hollywood.
Marylanders may want to pay slightly more attention to MyVegas than other states because of its proximity to Borgata in New Jersey. Although it’s not walking distance, Borgata is a short trip from Maryland and does have options for redemption through the MyVegas site. Maryland residents might do well to investigate the slot options on MyVegas.
Maryland sports betting
Just after the calendar flipped to 2020, Sen. Chris West pre-filed SB 58, which would allow horse tracks and casinos to offer regulated Maryland sports betting.
Fast forward to November 2020, when a large majority of voters voted yes on statewide ballot measure Question 2, finally legalizing Maryland sports betting.
Whether that will include online sports betting is still unclear. Lawmakers will likely convene in 2021 to hammer out the details.
Online gambling
Like many states, Maryland does not have a strict law for or against playing games of chance online. However, the state is rather restrictive when it comes to funding those games. Many banks and other financial institutions are closely monitored for any kind of interactions with gambling websites or operators.
The bright spot is that there are three nearby states (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) that either have or are about to have online gambling. It is certain that the Maryland Legislature will be monitoring those states’ successes closely. It is also possible that Maryland could decide to get in on the online game in the near future. Below is a table of likely operators based upon the companies that already have a foothold in the state.
Likely online gambling operators
| Operator | Properties Owned/Managed in MD |
|---|---|
| Caesars Entertainment | Horseshoe Casino Baltimore |
| Gaming and Leisure Properties | Hollywood Casino Perryville |
| Golden Entertainment | Rocky Gap Casino Resort |
| MGM Resorts International | MGM National Harbor |
| Saratoga Casino Holdings | Ocean Downs |
| The Cordish Companies | Maryland Live! Casino |
State casino operator history
In 1947, four counties in southern Maryland ignored a veto from Maryland’s governor at the time and installed 9,300 gaming machines in their counties. These counties raked in millions of dollars each year. It was estimated to be over $24 million in 1963 alone, and the scene was so hot that it became the main tourist attraction for the area.
However, all good things must come to an end, and in 1968 Maryland outlawed the slot machines. But the fire for gambling in Maryland continued to smolder. In 2008, residents approved a constitutional amendment to allow slot machines in five specific state locations.
Things went well, and in 2012 voters elected to expand the allowed games to include table games at the five casinos. They also voted to extend the operating hours at the casinos and to authorize a sixth casino. The six casinos are in six different Maryland locales – Anne Arundel, BaltimoreCity, CecilCounty, AlleganyCounty, WorcesterCounty, and Prince George’s County. The sixth casino, MGM National Harbor, just opened last December.
Casino revenue
So far, the appeal of these facilities is strong and on the rise. Total revenue for February 2017 alone was over $128 million. The addition of the sixth property is certainly contributing to that figure. MGM National Harbor made $48.8 million in revenue in its first month of operation and its effect on the overall take has been a net positive for the state.
All of this has occurred since 2010, when Hollywood Casino Perryville opened its doors. By the standards of the rest of the state’s casinos, it is a rather modest property. There are 850 slots, 20 table games, and an off-track betting facility (there is no poker room). Yet, four years later, the profile of the state’s gaming industry expanded fivefold – four more casinos opened their doors by August 2014.
The largest of these casinos (and still the largest – MGM National Harbor could only take second place) is Maryland Live! Casino. This massive casino offers its patrons almost 4,000 slot machines, over 200 table games, and a gigantic poker room with 52 tables. There are eight restaurants for patrons to dine, a posh hotel with 310 rooms and 52 suites to reserve, and a 1500-seat entertainment venue. This casino is enough to warrant a stop on the World Poker Tour each year, despite the casino only having been open since June 2012.
Location, location, location
Maryland Live! and the five other Maryland properties are finding such success because of the tremendous location they enjoy. Maryland is a fairly populous, but small state, which means it is close to many surrounding areas in addition to its own cities and localities. For instance, Maryland Live! is a 15-minute drive from downtown Baltimore and also only a 50-minute drive from Washington D.C.
It is also less than a two-hour drive from both Philadelphia and Dover, Delaware. These two cities have their own options to be sure, but Maryland casinos are close enough to draw from those areas for a change of pace or special events (like the aforementioned WPT). All in all, the future looks bright for Maryland casinos, because even with the saturation of the northeastern casino market, Maryland enjoys a roughly central location from many parts of this area of the country.
Land-based casinos
| Property | Location | Number of Slots | Number of Table Games | Number of Poker Tables |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland Live! Casino | Hanover | 3,941 | 209 | 52 |
| MGM National Harbor | Oxon Hill | 3,212 | 165 | 39 |
| Horseshoe Casino Baltimore | Baltimore | 2,186 | 179 | 25 |
| Hollywood Casino Perryville | Perryville | 850 | 20 | n/a |
| Ocean Downs | Berlin | 800 | n/a | n/a |
| Rocky Gap Casino Resort | Flintstone | 662 | 17 | n/a |
State legal environment
| Permitted/Offered? | Notes & Restrictions | |
|---|---|---|
| Land-based Gambling | Yes | |
| Online Gambling | No | |
| Lottery | Yes | State and multi-state drawings |
| Charitable or House-based Gambling | Yes | |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 21 |
A no deposit bonus is a reward offered by online casinos across the United States in an effort to get more players tosign up for their site. It’s one of the best ways to test out a new casino before depositing a lot of money.
This guide has everything you need to know about no deposit bonuses and how to claim the best ones in the country!
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Borgata Bonus Dollars: 1x Wager Requirement!
Borgata was offering $20 in no deposit bonus dollars. This came attached with a wagering requirement of only 1x. Theiroffer is only valid for slots. You can use this $20 toward the nearly 400 slots games they offer. If you win, you’ll need to deposit at least $20 of your own to release anywinnings from the $20 bonus dollars.
What are No Deposit Bonuses?
No deposit bonuses give you special offers for online casinos. You do not have todeposit a single cent of your own money. These bonuses can be for no deposit bonus dollars, free spins, or other great offers.
Why do Casinos offer no deposit bonuses?
Online casinos offer no deposit bonuses for several reasons.
- Competition among online casinos is fierce. There are nearly 25 online casinos in New Jersey alone, and they all want new customers. Tempting no deposit bonuses get customersin the door.
- New customers are reluctant to put money down. Due to fears over online transactions or betting concerns, some people want to try before they buy. No harm in that!
- Casinos may not lose money off of no deposit bonuses. If you get a big bonus and play smart, you may well come out ahead of the casino - even after meeting the wageringrequirements. Many players use the no deposit bonus without a big win, which costs the casinos nothing.
Why Use a No Deposit Bonus?
You should use no deposit rewards for one simple reason. They give you the opportunity to make money without having to spend any! You don’t have to spendlong in a casino to know that you’ll win some and lose some.
These bonuses take the sting out of a loss because you don’t lose any of your own money...just free bonus money.
But you can also win with a no deposit bonus. And these winnings are real money that goes into your account. You can withdraw the money as soon as you’ve satisfied any wageringrequirements.
No deposit bonuses also have extra benefits, of course:
- they allow free play of a new game
- you can try a new casino
- you can try some riskier bets without personal risk
How to Get No Deposit Bonuses
No deposit bonuses come in two ways.
- Many casinos will give you a no deposit bonus just for registering.
- No deposit bonuses also come through special codes that unlock your rewards. Read more about no deposit bonus codes below.
Getting no deposit bonus codes is generally as easy as registering for an online casino. Sometimes you’ll need to put in a bonus code.
Where to Get No Deposit Bonuses
Get the best no deposit bonuses that are now offered by clicking on the links provided on this page. You’ll get special no deposit bonuses that usually aren’t offered on the casino’s website.
We’ll give you two examples below.
Using Borgata’s $20 No Deposit Bonus
To get Borgata’s free $20 no deposit bonus, you need to follow our link and register for the casino, then opt-in.
How to Claim No Deposit Bonuses
Registering to claim your no deposit bonus can be done in these simple steps.
- Fill out your basic information: Name, email address, and Date of Birth.
- Provide a user ID and a unique password. You'll also need to give the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number so they can confirm your identity.
- Provide your street address.
- Fill out security questions. This is so you can access your account in case you lose your password.
After that, go to the bonus tab of your account and Opt-in to get your $20.
Why do I have to Opt-in to get bonus dollars?
You need to opt-in for bonus dollars because bonus dollars are optional. Some players come to an online casino ready to put money down. These players are usually lessinterested in bonus dollars and want to get betting.
Using Tropicana Online Casino’s No Deposit Bonus Code
Tropicana offers $10 in free, no deposit bonus dollars for you to come in and try out their casino. You can use these bonus dollars to play any game you want.
All you need to do is follow our link to register, then enter the code: TROPTEN.
- Fill out your username, password, and email address.
- Enter your name and personal information. You need to give the last four digits of your social security number to confirm your identity.
- Confirm address and enter TROPTEN where it asks for your Promotional Code.
That’s it! Then you get $10 free for playing most any game in the casino with no risk to you!
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Types of No Deposit Bonuses
There are three primary types of no deposit bonuses:
- No Deposit Bonus Dollars
- Risk-Free Bets
Generally, no deposit rewards aim toward new customers as an incentive to try the online casino. Some casinos give no deposit bonuses as loyalty rewards or as part of their VIP programs.
No Deposit Bonus Dollars
No deposit bonus dollars are for free play on most if not all games. After you register, opt-in under the Bonus section or Cashier to get your bonus dollars.
Bonus dollars can be spent as you want at most casinos. You can put all $25 down on a big bet in blackjack, or make it last with 500 slots spins at $.05 per bet. It’s up toyou.
Sometimes no deposit bonus dollars are limited to certain games, such as online slots or poker. Check your casino’s offer’s termsand conditions to be sure.
Free Spins
No deposit free spins are every slot player’s favorite. Online casinos may give 10-50 free spins for new customers. Free spins may be open to most slots games,or they may be for specific games.
After you register, opt-in under the Bonus section or Cashier to get your bonus free spins.
Look at the example above and you’ll see that you can get more spins for free using bonus dollars. If you’re looking to play slots for free, don’t limit your search to free spins. Check out allyour options.
Bonus Risk-Free Bets
Risk-free bets have a few different forms. These compensate for a losing bet. They can serve as recovery for a bad bet. You also might want to use them for a higher stakes,higher risk, bigger pay-off bet.
Terms and conditions for risk-free bonus bets
Check the terms and conditions to make sure you’re covered.
Wagering requirements are usually much lower for risk-free bets. An online casino may compensate you with bonus dollars or give you cashback for your lost bet. For somecasinos, there is no wagering requirement at all.
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No Deposit Bonus Terms and Conditions
Terms and conditions are the rules attached to no deposit rewards. Terms and conditions specify what you can get out of a no deposit bonus. Sometimes the terms and conditions turn a nice bonusinto something worthless.
While terms and conditions are different for each no deposit bonus, we’ll tell you some things to look out for.
Wagering requirements
Wagering requirements are also referred to as playthrough requirements. This is the number of times that you have to wager a certain amount of money before you can withdrawyour winnings.
For example, a casino may give you $10 in no deposit bonus dollars, and the deal has a 1x playthrough requirement. Let’s say you play with that bonus $10 andwin $100. You’d then need to wager 1x $10, or another $10 of your own money before you could withdraw.
Game weighting
Game weighting is a percentage. It shows how much a game contributes to the wagering requirement. Wagering on slots may count 100% while a game of blackjack might count 50%.
Why is the wager contribution different for different casino games?
Some games are riskier for casinos than others. Slots have a low RTP. This means that casinos are more likely to make money off of slots then a game like Blackjack.
Time limit
The time limit is the period in which you have to use your no deposit reward. The clock starts ticking when you sign up and accept the bonus.
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Once your time limit is over, any winnings you have will disappear. You also do not need to fulfill a wagering requirement attached to a no deposit bonus once the bonus has expired.
Bonus abuse
In the case of bonus abuse, casinos may refuse to honor winnings from no deposit bonuses. Examples of bonus include:
- falsely presenting your identity
- trying to withdraw funds before satisfying wagering requirements
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Conclusion
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No deposit bonuses are a great way to play online casino games for free. While you’re not spending your own money, you can win money. Before withdrawing winnings, you must meet wageringrequirements. With a good no deposit bonus, you can definitely beat the casino...if you play your cards right!