To go to a casino in Maryland you have to be at least 21. That rule applies to every commercial casino in the state and covers the entire gaming floor, with no exception for being accompanied by a parent or another adult.
What the 21 Rule Covers
Maryland casinos must post a sign at every entrance to the gaming floor reading: “No patron under the age of 21 is permitted on the casino floor.”1Legal Information Institute. COMAR 36-03-06-03 – Requirements The floor is defined broadly: slot machines, table games like blackjack and poker, and electronic gaming devices are all off-limits to anyone under 21.
The State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency writes and enforces these rules across all six Maryland casinos.2Maryland State Archives. Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency – Origin and Functions The same agency regulates sports wagering, so the 21-and-over threshold also applies to every licensed sportsbook in the state, retail or mobile.
What ID You’ll Need
Plan to show a valid government-issued photo ID before you reach the gaming floor. A driver’s license, passport, or military ID all work. The document has to be unexpired and has to match the person handing it over. Many casinos run IDs through scanners built to catch alterations and fakes.
Staff at entrances, cashier windows, and the floor itself are trained to spot fraudulent documents. If you can’t or won’t produce ID, security turns you away. The warning message at every customer entrance is required by regulation, so the rule is stated plainly before you walk in.1Legal Information Institute. COMAR 36-03-06-03 – Requirements
What Happens If You’re 18 to 20 and Caught
Being on a casino floor between the ages of 18 and 20 is a civil offense in Maryland, not a criminal charge. You won’t get a criminal record, but the fines climb with each violation:
- First violation: up to $100
- Second violation: up to $500
- Third or later violation: up to $1,000, plus mandatory participation in gambling addiction treatment
These penalties come from Maryland Criminal Law ยง 10-137 and are handled in District Court.3Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Code Criminal Law 10-137 – Violations Any winnings from illegal play are forfeited, so even a jackpot won’t be paid out.
Using a Fake ID Is a Separate Crime
Slipping past the door with a fake or altered ID is a different problem, and a much more serious one. Maryland’s identity fraud statute makes it a crime to assume another person’s identity or use fraudulent identifying information to obtain a benefit. When the benefit is worth between $100 and $1,500, it’s a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine up to $500, or both.4Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Code Criminal Law 8-301 – Identity Fraud That creates an actual criminal record, unlike the civil fine for simply being underage on the floor.
Other Kinds of Gambling With a Lower Age
The 21 threshold is specific to casino gaming and sports betting. Several other forms of gambling in Maryland open up at 18, so it’s worth knowing what the casino rule doesn’t cover.
Lottery Tickets
You can buy Maryland lottery tickets at 18. That includes scratch-offs and draw games like Mega Millions and Powerball, sold at convenience stores and gas stations throughout the state. Lottery products sold inside a casino building are governed by the 18-year-old minimum for lottery, separate from the casino floor rule.
Horse Racing
Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing is available starting at 18. Racing regulations prohibit opening a wagering account for anyone younger, and tracks like Laurel Park and Pimlico fall under the Maryland Racing Commission rather than the gaming agency.5Maryland Office of the Attorney General. Opinion 86 OAG 132 – Racing
Charitable Gaming and Bingo
Charitable events like carnivals, bazaars, and raffles are regulated at the county level. Some Maryland counties allow bingo players as young as 16. Because the rules vary by county, check with the county or the organization running the event before you go.