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1920
Maryland has always been synonymous with pari-mutuel horse racing wagering, with this practice having been regulated way back in 1870 and formally legalized in 1920. The state was also amongst the first to legalize bingo in the states (in 1952), although it should be noted that this discipline faces a number of restrictions and can only be conducted by charitable organizations.
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1972
A state lottery in Maryland was fully legalized in 1972, and this remains available to all state residents aged 18 or over. Despite these positive legislative developments, however, the authority resisted the urge to regulate offline casino gambling for the remainder of the 20th century.
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2008
This changed in 2008, however, when a constitutional referendum approved the installation of slot machines at five privately owned facilities in Maryland. This led to the opening of the state’s first fully-fledged casino in Perryville in 2010, while the remodeled Oceans Downs racino quickly followed during the next 12 months.
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2012
A further referendum followed in 2012, in which voters approved the legalization of table games at all six Maryland casino resorts and the development of a sixth facility in Price George’s County (the MGM National Harbor, which subsequently opened its doors in December 2016).