Maryland Online Poker: Legal Status, Sweepstakes Options, and What’s Next

Maryland is well known for its steamed crabs 🦀 and its strong gambling industry, but the state does not currently have a regulated real‑money online poker market.

At present, no poker sites are licensed to offer traditional real‑money online poker to players in Maryland. While lawmakers have discussed broader iGaming legislation in the past, there is currently no active law that legalizes regulated online poker in the state.

That does not mean Maryland players have no online poker options. In states without regulated online poker, many players turn to sweepstakes poker platforms and free‑play poker sites. These options operate under different legal frameworks and do not function the same way as licensed real‑money poker rooms.

Sweepstakes poker sites allow players to participate in poker games using virtual currencies, with prizes that may be redeemed for cash or cash equivalents. Free‑play poker sites, meanwhile, are designed for entertainment and practice, with no prizes or wagering involved.

This guide explains the current legal status of online poker in Maryland, how sweepstakes poker works, and what options are available to players today. It also looks at how online poker could eventually be regulated in the state and what would need to change for that to happen.

Is Online Poker Legal in Maryland?

Maryland does not currently have a regulated real‑money online poker market. No poker sites are licensed by the state to offer traditional cash‑game or tournament poker where players wager and withdraw money directly.

However, Maryland players still have access to online poker‑style options that operate under different legal frameworks.

One option is sweepstakes poker. These platforms allow players to participate in poker games using virtual currencies, with prizes that may be redeemed for cash or cash equivalents. Sweepstakes poker does not operate as regulated real‑money gambling and is commonly available in states without legalized online poker.

Another option is free‑play poker. These sites and apps allow players to play poker for entertainment or practice purposes only, without wagering real money or winning cash prizes. Free‑play platforms are often used by new players to learn poker rules, hand rankings, and basic strategy.

The sections below explain how sweepstakes poker works in Maryland, how it differs from regulated online poker, and what players should know before choosing where and how to play.

How Sweepstakes Poker Works in Maryland

Because Maryland does not currently regulate real‑money online poker, sweepstakes poker has emerged as a popular alternative for players who want to play online and still have a chance to win cash‑redeemable prizes.

Sweepstakes poker sites do not operate as traditional gambling platforms. Instead, they use a sweepstakes model that is permitted under Maryland law and widely used in states without legalized online poker.

What Is Sweepstakes Poker?

Sweepstakes poker sites allow players to participate in poker games using virtual currencies rather than wagering real money directly. Players can win prizes that may be redeemed for real money or cash equivalents, depending on the platform.

There are two main types of sweepstakes poker sites available to Maryland players: modern sweepstakes platforms and subscription‑based platforms.

Modern Sweepstakes Poker Platforms

Modern sweepstakes poker sites closely resemble traditional online poker rooms. They often offer ring games, tournaments, and sit‑and‑go formats across multiple poker variants.

Because prizes are awarded through a sweepstakes structure rather than direct wagering, these platforms are able to operate in Maryland even without a regulated online poker market.

Subscription‑Based Sweepstakes Poker Platforms

Subscription‑based sweepstakes poker sites operate on a different model. Players pay a recurring fee to access scheduled tournaments. These tournaments award prizes that can be redeemed for real money, but typically do not include cash games.

This model appeals to players who prefer tournament‑only poker and a fixed monthly cost rather than purchasing play tokens.

How Sweepstakes Poker Differs From Regulated Online Poker

Sweepstakes poker is not the same as regulated real‑money online poker. There is no state licensing, no direct wagering, and no poker‑specific regulatory oversight. Game formats, liquidity, and withdrawal processes can vary widely between platforms.

For these reasons, it’s important for players to understand how each sweepstakes site works before signing up.

The next section highlights several sweepstakes poker platforms that are available to players in Maryland and explains how they differ from one another.

Best Sweepstakes Poker Sites Available in Maryland

Although Maryland does not have a regulated real‑money online poker market, several sweepstakes poker platforms are available to players in the state. These sites operate under sweepstakes laws and offer poker games where prizes can be redeemed for cash or cash equivalents.

The platforms listed below are not licensed poker rooms and do not offer traditional real‑money gambling. Instead, they use either a modern sweepstakes model or a subscription‑based model. Each option appeals to different types of players, depending on preferred game formats and payment structure.

Clubs Poker

Clubs Poker is a modern sweepstakes poker platform available to players in Maryland. The site follows the sweepstakes coin model, where players purchase Gold Coins for free‑play games and typically receive sweepstakes coins as a reward. Sweepstakes coins can be used to enter poker games offering prizes redeemable for real money.

The platform supports a wide range of poker variants, including No‑Limit Hold’em, Pot‑Limit Omaha, mixed games, and stud formats. Clubs Poker also includes features commonly found in traditional poker rooms, such as straddles, bomb pots, and rabbit hunting.

Clubs Poker is US‑based and focuses on offering a modern poker experience rather than casino‑style sweepstakes games.

Read our full review of Clubs Poker »

Stake.us Poker

Stake.us Poker operates using a modern sweepstakes structure and offers poker games alongside other sweepstakes gaming options. Poker formats available to Maryland players include tournaments, ring games, and sit‑and‑go events, with an emphasis on No‑Limit Hold’em and Pot‑Limit Omaha.

Players purchase Gold Coins for free‑play use and receive sweepstakes coins that can be used in games offering cash‑redeemable prizes. Availability varies by state, and Maryland is among the states where the platform is accessible.

Stake.us may appeal to players looking for a combined sweepstakes platform with both poker and non‑poker gaming options.

Read our full review of Stake.us Poker »

ClubWPT

ClubWPT follows a subscription‑based sweepstakes poker model. Players pay a recurring membership fee to gain access to daily poker tournaments, with prizes that can be redeemed for real money.

Unlike modern sweepstakes platforms, ClubWPT focuses exclusively on tournament play and does not offer ring games. Some tournaments award entries into live World Poker Tour events rather than cash prizes.

ClubWPT is owned and operated by WPT Enterprises and is one of the longest‑running sweepstakes poker platforms available to US players.

Read our full review of ClubWPT »

Global Poker

Global Poker is a well‑established sweepstakes poker site that uses the modern sweepstakes coin model. Players purchase Gold Coins for free‑play games and typically receive sweepstakes coins that can be used in poker games offering cash‑redeemable prizes.

The platform launched in 2016 and offers a full range of poker formats, including cash games and large multi‑day tournament series. Global Poker is known for hosting major online series with substantial prize pools compared to many other sweepstakes platforms.

Global Poker is operated by an international company and has a long track record in the sweepstakes poker space.

Read our full review of Global Poker »

Maryland Online Poker: What’s Next

There is currently no regulated real‑money online poker in Maryland, and no active legislation to legalize it. For that to change, lawmakers would need to pass enabling legislation and, under existing state rules, voters would likely need to approve an expansion of online gambling.

If Maryland were to legalize online poker in the future, the state would also need to establish a regulatory framework covering licensing, consumer protections, and oversight. Decisions around issues such as taxation, market structure, and whether to participate in interstate liquidity agreements would shape how any future market operates.

Until those steps occur, traditional real‑money online poker sites cannot legally operate in Maryland. This is why sweepstakes poker and free‑play platforms remain the primary online poker options available to players in the state today.

Any future changes to Maryland’s online poker laws would require clear legislative action and, potentially, voter approval. This page will be updated if and when the legal landscape changes.

Free‑Play Poker in Maryland

Free‑play poker is widely available in Maryland, but it is not a particularly effective way to learn how to play poker well. These platforms use play‑money chips and do not involve any real stakes, which fundamentally changes how people behave at the table.

Free‑play poker can be useful for understanding the mechanics of the game. New players can learn hand rankings, betting order, table positions, and the basic flow of a poker hand without risking money. For absolute beginners, this can remove some of the initial confusion that comes with poker rules and terminology.

However, free‑play poker does a poor job of teaching real poker strategy. Because there is no financial consequence to decisions, players tend to make unrealistic bets, chase weak hands, and ignore fundamentals like bankroll management and risk assessment. These habits do not translate well to games where real money or redeemable prizes are involved.

Popular free‑play poker platforms include social and standalone sites such as Zynga Poker, Replay Poker, and Governor of Poker. These sites are best viewed as practice tools for learning how the game works, not as preparation for competitive or money‑based poker.

Players who want to understand how poker decisions change when stakes matter will generally learn more from sweepstakes poker platforms or real‑money environments than from free‑play games alone.

Maryland Online Poker Frequently Asked Questions

Is online poker legal in Maryland?

No. Maryland does not currently have a regulated real‑money online poker market. No poker sites are licensed by the state to offer traditional cash‑game or tournament poker where players wager and withdraw money directly.

However, Maryland players can access sweepstakes poker platforms and free‑play poker sites, which operate under different legal frameworks and are not regulated as real‑money gambling.

Can I win real money playing online poker in Maryland?

Not through regulated online poker sites. Some sweepstakes poker platforms allow players to win prizes that can be redeemed for cash or cash equivalents, but these sites do not operate as licensed real‑money poker rooms.

Free‑play poker sites, by contrast, do not offer cash prizes and are intended only for entertainment or practice.

What is sweepstakes poker, and is it legal in Maryland?

Sweepstakes poker uses a promotional model rather than direct wagering. Players typically purchase Gold Coins for free‑play games and receive sweepstakes coins as a bonus. Sweepstakes coins are used to enter poker games where prizes may be redeemed for cash.

This model is commonly used in states without regulated online poker, including Maryland. Sweepstakes poker does not function the same way as licensed real‑money gambling.

Is online casino gaming legal in Maryland?

No. Online casino gaming is not currently legal in Maryland. While the state has legalized retail and online sports betting, casino games and online poker would require additional legislative action and, likely, voter approval.

Can I play PokerStars, WSOP, or BetMGM Poker in Maryland?

No. PokerStars, WSOP Online, and BetMGM Poker do not currently operate in Maryland. These operators are only available in states with regulated online poker markets.

Maryland players should be cautious of any site claiming to offer these platforms locally, as they are not legally licensed in the state.

Does Maryland have any form of online gambling?

Yes. Maryland has a regulated sports betting market with multiple licensed sportsbooks. In addition, sweepstakes poker platforms and free‑play poker sites are accessible to Maryland players.

Should I play on offshore online poker sites instead?

No. Offshore poker sites are not regulated in the United States and do not provide the same consumer protections as legal, state‑regulated gambling platforms.

Players who use offshore sites risk losing funds, having limited recourse in disputes, and exposing personal and financial information. US authorities have repeatedly warned that players have no guaranteed legal protections when using offshore gambling sites.