Maryland Allows Sweepstakes Ban To Lapse As Session Ends

(AsiaGameHub) –   The 2026 Maryland legislative session concluded without enacting a prohibition on sweepstakes casinos. Although the House of Delegates supported two pieces of legislation aimed at dual-currency casino-style games, the Senate did not act on them. Consequently, these proposals expired when the session adjourned.

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Good to Know

• Two bills opposing sweepstakes were passed by Maryland House legislators
• Both measures failed because the Senate did not hold a vote
• Legislation for real-money online casinos also stalled

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Sweepstakes operators received a reprieve in Maryland, though the conflict over their operations has not subsided.

Time simply ran out for lawmakers. While two bills targeting online dual-currency casino games passed the House with significant bipartisan backing, neither was brought to a vote in the Senate before the April adjournment. As a result, despite having clear support in one chamber, no prohibition was enacted into law.

Regulators were eager to see those bills passed. State gaming authorities stated they required more robust enforcement mechanisms to deal with the hundreds of unlicensed websites active in Maryland. Although the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission had issued numerous cease-and-desist letters, officials reported that only approximately 25% of the operators complied.

Industry groups resisted the legislation and secured a temporary victory. The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance contended that the sweepstakes model does not violate Maryland law, citing that users can either play for free or purchase a separate currency for sweepstakes gameplay. Operators likened this structure to the McDonald’s Monopoly Sweepstakes, distinguishing it from illegal gambling.

“SGLA is satisfied that neither (bill) was enacted into law in Maryland,” stated Sean Ostrow, managing director of SGLA, in a comment given to iGaming.org.

“Although the drive to eliminate illegal gambling is praiseworthy, these two bills targeted more than just illicit operators and would have punished responsible Social Plus companies that provide robust consumer safeguards and support the Maryland economy.

“In the end, we aim to collaborate with Maryland legislators and agencies to regulate Social Plus, ensure consumer safety, and produce tax revenue, and we anticipate engaging in these constructive discussions during the 2027 Maryland legislative session.”

This outcome also reflects a broader trend in Maryland. The state failed to make significant progress on real-money online casino legislation as well. Resistance has emerged from both political parties, as well as from gaming stakeholders who contend that online casinos could diminish tax revenue and lead to job losses. Fears regarding gambling addiction also continue to fuel this opposition too.