Programming Casino Slot Machines

Casinos can loosen or tighten the slot machines with the flip of a switch. In actuality, the slot machines have a computer chip in them that determines the payback percentage. These are preset at the factory. In order for a casino to change the payback, they would have to change the chip. How Slot Machines & Coin Slots Work Slot machines are the most popular games in any casino, but a lot of people don’t have a clear understanding of how they work. In fact, some people have an out-and-out misunderstanding of how they work, while others are more than willing to take advantage of the gambling public’s ignorance in such matters.

Introduction to Maryland Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Maryland slot machine casino gambling consists of six land-based casinos with video lottery terminal (VLT) slot machines. Cruise ships traveling in international waters also offer onboard gambling options.

A minimum theoretical payout limit was been set by Maryland law. However, no actual return statistics are publicly available.

This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Maryland*

The minimum legal gambling age in Maryland depends upon the gambling activity:

Land-Based Casinos: 21
Poker Rooms: 21
Bingo: 18
Lottery: 18
Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18

Further, the minimum gambling age is 18 for cruises shipping out of Baltimore.

In 2008, Maryland voters approved having slot machines at five locations. This constitutional amendment included a licensing and regulatory legal framework for casino operators, employees, and contractors as well as specifying where to allocate state gaming income tax revenue.

In 2012, Maryland voters further approved a gaming expansion bill allowing table games at Maryland’s casinos as well as another Maryland casino. This sixth gambling license, awarded in December 2013, resulted in MGM National Harbor’s opening 3 years later.

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Maryland

It is legal to own a slot machine in Maryland privately if it is 25 years old or older.

The state gaming commission is Maryland Lottery and Gaming, responsible for overseeing gaming regulations compliance, employee background checks, the day-to-day operation of machines at each casino, and more.

Gaming Control Board in Maryland

There are six non-tribal casinos and two international cruise ships based in Maryland.

The largest casino in Maryland is Live! Casino Hotel Maryland with 3,853 gaming machines in January 2020.

The second-largest casino is MGM National Harbor with 3,135 gaming machines in January 2020.

Casinos in Maryland

Commercial Casinos in Maryland

Maryland’s six land-based casinos are:

Hollywood Casino Perryville located 44 miles northeast of Baltimore.
Live! Casino Hotel Maryland in Hanover located 11 miles southwest of Baltimore and 30 miles northeast of Washington, DC.
MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill located 14 miles southwest of Baltimore.
Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin located 133 miles southeast of Baltimore on the Delaware border.
Rocky Gap Casino Resort Golf in Flintstone located 132 miles west of Baltimore near the Pennsylvania border.

Tribal Casinos in Maryland

Maryland has no tribal casinos due to having no federally-recognized American Indian tribes.

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Maryland slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Maryland is:

North: Pennsylvania Slots
East: Delaware Slots
South: Virginia Slots and the District of Columbia Slots
West: West Virginia Slots

Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Maryland.

Our Maryland Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Maryland? If so, join our new Maryland slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.

There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Maryland. Join us!

Best Casino Slots Machine

Payout Returns in Maryland

Maryland gaming regulations require a minimum theoretical payout of 87%, on average over its lifetime, for each VLT gaming machine. Further, overall for all VLTs at a casino, the minimum and maximum theoretical payouts must average between 90% and 95%.

Unfortunately, monthly revenue statistics from the gaming commission excludes amount returned to players. Therefore, actual return statistics are not publicly available.

Summary of Maryland Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020