Maryland might be one of the smallest states in the U.S., but it’s become a top destination for gambling. In May, Maryland’s five casinos set a combined second straight monthly record for revenue. Those numbers are expected to remain robust as tourism heats up this summer. If you’re thinking of heading to Maryland this summer to enjoy the coastlines and casinos, keep in mind that your winnings could be subject to a 30% withholding tax.
Maryland
Maryland is a mid-Atlantic state located next to Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey, and is known for its waterways and coastlines. Even though Maryland is the eighth smallest state in the country, it’s a popular travel destination for Canadians and other non-U.S. citizens.
And for good reason—Maryland has a lot to offer. Some of the top tourism hot spots include the American Visionary Art Museum, National Aquarium, Fort McHenry, Baltimore Museum of Art, and Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.
The small state is also becoming a top gambling destination. In fact, it’s growing at a rapid rate. This comes at a time when neighbouring Atlantic City is a ghost town and revenue in Nevada, America’s gambling capital, has been flat for months.
In May, Maryland’s five casinos combined to generate record revenue of $104.4 million.1
This is the second straight month Maryland casinos have generated record revenue. In April, Maryland’s casinos brought in $103.9 million.2 May was also the sixth consecutive month where revenue had increased. The last time casino revenue in the state saw a decline was in November 2015, where it slipped just 0.5%.3
Maryland is one of the newest states to allow casinos. The first casino in the state opened in September 2010. Now there are five: Casino at Ocean Downs in Worcester County; Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County; Horseshoe Casino Baltimore in Baltimore; Maryland Live! Casino in Anne Arundel County; and Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Allegany County.
A sixth casino, the MGM National Harbor resort in Prince George’s County, is scheduled to open at the end of the year.
Maryland’s Five Casinos
Maryland Live! Casino
Maryland Live! Casino is the largest casino in the state. Since opening in 2012, the casino has expanded its gaming offers to include live table games and poker.4
On the 160,000-square-foot gaming floor, you’ll discover 4,000 slot machines and one of the largest poker rooms in the country with 52 tables. There are also around 140 other live-action table games, including blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat.
Maryland Live! Casino is also the first casino in the state to offer “dealer-assist” electronic table games. The 56 new units feature craps, roulette, and baccarat.
Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
The Horseshoe Casino, which opened in August 2014, is Maryland’s second largest casino. The casino floor covers two storeys and covers 122,000 square feet of gaming space. Here, you will discover more than 2,200 slots and a high-limit area.5
If you love video poker, you can play on any of the more than 150 video poker machines. The Horseshow Casino Baltimore also has 153 table games and an exclusive high-limit area. When it comes to poker, there are few better places to play than at the WSOP Poker Room with 25 tables.
Finally, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore is also home to off-track betting with 44 betting carrels.
Casino at Ocean Downs
Casino at Ocean Downs is a racino near Ocean City. The casino covers 34,000 square feet and has 800 slot machines and the newest electronic table games.6
You’ll also find live harness racing and simulcast harness racing at Casino at Ocean Downs. This year is the 67th anniversary of live racing, with the season beginning June 12 and running through September 5. Live harness racing takes place on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Post time is 7:20 p.m.
Hollywood Casino Perryville
Hollywood Casino Perryville was the first casino to open in the state back in September 2010. The casino’s gaming floor covers 75,000 square feet. There you will find over 850 slot and poker machines, live-action table games (blackjack, craps, roulette, 3-card poker, and 4-card poker), and eight poker tables with daily poker tournaments.7
Rocky Gap Casino Resort
Rocky Gap Casino Resort is located in Lake Habeeb and Rocky Gap State Park along the northern border with Pennsylvania, off Interstate 68. In addition to having a full-service hotel, spa, and Maryland’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, Rocky Gap also has a great casino.
The casino offers 600 slot machines, table games (blackjack, roulette), and poker.8
Maryland Gaming Winnings Subject to 30% Withholding Tax
If you’ve visited the United States and won a significant amount of money at a casino in Maryland or anywhere else in the country, your winnings could be subject to a 30% withholding tax.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers gaming winnings (casino, pari-mutuel betting, game shows, etc.) over $1,200 to be income. And it needs to be taxed. If you win $2,000 playing the slots, the casino will only give you $1,400.
But if you live in a country like Canada, which has signed a U.S. tax treaty, you may be eligible for a refund.
There are a number of countries that currently do not have a U.S. tax treaty. However, if you reside in any of the following countries, you could still be eligible for a refund: Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Mexico, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and the U.A.E.
To see if you meet the criteria and are eligible to get some or all of your withholding tax back, contact Refund Management Services (RMS).
RMS Is the Easiest Way to Get Your Casino Tax Back
If you visited the U.S. and had 30% of your winnings withheld by the IRS, the gaming tax refund experts at RMS can help you reclaim a portion or all of your taxable winnings.
Since being founded by a Canadian Chartered Accountant in 1998, RMS has become the most reliable and experienced wagering, gaming and casino tax refund provider for non-U.S. residents. Only RMS has the One Simple StepTM process. Our customer service agents take care of the rest.
Once you provide us with complete documentation, your claim will be processed and we will submit it to the IRS. RMS has never been refused an eligible refund!
Contact RMS today by calling our toll-free number at 1-888-272-5559 or by e-mailing us at [email protected].
Sources:
1. Maryland Casinos Set New Revenue Record of $104.4 Million in May, Lottery and Gaming Control Agency web site; http://gaming.mdlottery.com/maryland-casinos-set-new-revenue-record-of-104-4-million-in-may/.
2. Maryland Casinos Generate Record Revenue of $103.9 Million During April, Lottery and Gaming Control Agency web site; http://gaming.mdlottery.com/maryland-casinos-generate-record-revenue-of-103-9-million-during-april/.
3. Maryland Casinos Generate $89.7 Million in Revenue During November, Lottery and Gaming Control Agency web site; http://gaming.mdlottery.com/maryland-casinos-generate-89-7-million-in-revenue-during-november/.
4. Maryland Live Casino, Maryland Live Casino web site; https://www.marylandlivecasino.com/casino/.
5. Casino, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore web site; https://www.caesars.com/horseshoe-baltimore/casino.
6. Slots, Ocean Downs Casino web site; http://www.oceandowns.com/slots.php.
7. Casino, Hollywood Casino Perryville web site; http://www.hollywoodcasinoperryville.com/casino/.
8. Casino, Rocky Gap Casino web site; https://www.rockygapcasino.com/casino/.