Gambling Addiction Treatment in Maryland

Casino gaming: Maryland is casino-friendly, which does not bode well for those who are vulnerable to problematic gambling behavior. Casino gaming is legal, and there are currently six land-based gaming facilities operating in the state. Real money online casinos are not yet legal in Maryland, although residents are able to access free-to-play online casino gambling at sites affiliated with land-based casinos in Maryland. The latter are a known gateway to problem gambling.

Horse racing: Race track betting is legal in Maryland. It is home to the middle jewel of the Triple Crown – The Preakness Stakes – along with a number of world-class steeplechase and equestrian events that residents and visitors can wager on.

Lottery: Lottery is legal and run by the state of Maryland.

Online sports betting: BILL HB 940 legalized sports betting in Maryland in December of 2021. It was only permitted at land-based operations in the state until online sports betting and DFS became regulated in November of 2022. The rise of online sports betting and DFS has been accompanied by the Q1 2025 arrival of online sports trading. This addition is problematic for vulnerable residents in MD because sports trading operators are not currently required to abide by the American Gaming Association (AGA) Responsible Gaming Statutes and Regulations Guide.

A report provided by the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling indicates the following:

• Disordered gamblers makes up 4% of the adult population in Maryland
• Problem gambling behavior in MD has increased from 1.9% to 2.4% between 2010 and 2022
• More than 67% of disordered gamblers in Maryland are male
• Almost 50% of all disordered gamblers in MD are Black and African American
• The prevalence of disordered gambling is notably high amongst Maryland sports bettors, with at least 10% experiencing disordered gambling
• Substance use, a common comorbidity of gambling, is more frequently reported amongst gamblers compared to non-gamblers in Maryland
• Maryland gamblers are more likely to use tobacco products, consume alcohol, including binge drinking, and illegal drugs

Further, Maryland residents share the following statistics with the rest of the United States:

• 20% of sports bettors are in or have been in debt from sports betting ( source )
• Average gambling addict (male) debt is between $55,000 and $90,000 ( source )
• About 3% of problem gamblers in the USA are $300,000 in debt due to their addiction ( source )
• Nearly 15% of problem gamblers have committed a crime to support their addiction ( source )
• Divorce rate for habitual gamblers is 31% compared to 21% for those who rarely gamble ( source )
• Suicide rate is 16 times higher for problem gamblers ( source )

The Kindbridge virtual platform helps Maryland residents quit gambling through more accessible, convenient, and powerful treatment services. Our counselors are accessible, whether you’re in Baltimore, Hagerstown, Ocean City, Annapolis, Frederick, Silver Spring, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Laurel, Bel Air, or any of the other cities, towns, and communities within the Old Line State.

In addition to problem gambling, Kindbridge counselors have expertise treating other mental/behavioral health issues that you may live with, such as anxiety and depression which impact more than 39% of the population in MD.

A problematic relationship with casino gaming os sports betting also has an impact on loved ones. In addition to gambling addiction treatment for individuals in Maryland, Kindbridge provides couples and family counseling.

Kindbridge Behavioral Health offers flexible pricing for online and telehealth counseling. Problem gambling treatment rates and subscriptions can be found here. Maryland residents may also qualify for direct billing through our insurance partners.