Section 12-101 provides some important definitions. The statement of penalty is as follows: “A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 6 months and not exceeding 1 year or a fine of not less than $200 and not exceeding $1,000 or both.” A person may not also participate in the organization of any gambling activity in any manner. The operative clause of Title 12 is Section 12-102, which states, “A person may not: (1) bet, wager, or gamble (2) make or sell a book or pool on the result of a race, contest, or contingency ” In addition a person may not use or provide for use any property for the above activities. Title 13 “Gaming – Local Provisions” deals with laws that are applicable to specified counties or cities only. Title 12 “Gaming – Statewide Provisions” deals with laws that are applicable throughout the state. Gambling laws are covered under Criminal Law in the statutes of Maryland. These were enhancing the state revenues, ensuring player safety, catering to low budget players and the precedence in other states. He pointed out four important reasons for Maryland to eventually go for online poker. For the time being, I would like to see the state monitor implementation of online gambling in other states and wait to see if congress addresses the issue through legislation before beginning to seriously debate legalization.” He added that he would continue to voice the interests of online poker players in the state.

“As to online poker, while I understand there is a large community of poker players interested in seeing Maryland legalize online gambling, there are a number of technical and legal issues that have not yet been adequately answered. Though online poker is not on the radar at the moment, it most likely will be in the near future.ĭelegate Eric Luedtke, co-chairperson of the Joint Committee on Gaming Oversight, made the following comments in an interview.

Currently, there have been no bills introduced or processed in the legislature with respect to online poker or other forms of online gambling. The legislature is preoccupied with expanding this activity rather than getting involved with online poker, but that could change soon. The state of Maryland has introduced brick and mortar casino gambling only since 2008.

Legal to gamble online in maryland