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CrownCoins — 100,000 CC + 2 SC FreeMaryland SB112 Sweepstakes Ban — Current Status 2026
Maryland's sweepstakes casino ban effort is dead — for now. Senate Bill 112 and its companion House Bill 295 both failed to advance before the Maryland General Assembly's April 13, 2026 session end, leaving sweepstakes casinos in a legal grey zone in the state. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) had already issued more than 75 cease-and-desist letters to sweepstakes operators, triggering a mass exodus of major brands from the state. Most top-tier sweepstakes platforms have voluntarily exited Maryland. A handful of smaller and mid-tier operators remain accessible, but the regulatory climate is the most hostile of any state outside an outright ban.
Bill History: How SB112 and HB295 Were Born
Governor Moore Leads the Charge
Maryland's 2026 sweepstakes ban legislation was not grassroots — it came directly from the top. At the request of Governor Wes Moore, Maryland became the sixth state to file companion bills targeting sweepstakes casinos when SB112 and HB295 were prefiled in January 2026 (per PennLive, January 17, 2026).
The bills were titled "Gaming — Prohibition on Interactive Games and Revenue From Illegal Markets" — language that framed sweepstakes casino platforms not as legal promotional products but as de facto illegal gambling operations extracting revenue that rightfully belongs to the regulated gambling ecosystem.
What the Bills Would Have Done
Both SB112 and HB295 targeted what Maryland legislators called "interactive games" — dual-currency sweepstakes casino platforms that allow players to win and redeem prizes (typically cash equivalents) through a sweepstakes mechanic. Under the bills:
- Operating or promoting interactive games without an MLGCA license would be prohibited
- Advertising sweepstakes casino products to Maryland residents would be restricted
- Penalties would apply to operators and, potentially, affiliate marketers
The bills were broadly worded, covering not just sweepstakes casino games but the full architecture of dual-currency promotional gambling platforms.
Senate Budget and Tax Committee: SB112's Prefiling
The Senate Budget and Tax Committee prefiled SB112 — a signal of institutional support that initially suggested the bill had a credible path to passage. Companion bills with committee support in both chambers typically move faster than member-only bills. In Maryland's 2026 session, however, "fast" still wasn't fast enough.
Why Did the Bills Die?
The Session Clock
Maryland's General Assembly operates on a fixed 90-day session that ended April 13, 2026. Both bills advanced through their respective chambers but failed to clear the Senate before the session deadline. HB295 passed the House with an overwhelming majority, but Senate floor time ran out.
This is not unusual for complex gambling legislation in Maryland. The state's legislature has a long history of advancing gambling bills in one chamber only to watch them stall in the other due to scheduling, competing priorities, or procedural delays. The sweepstakes ban was ambitious — its broad "interactive games" definition raised questions from industry groups, civil liberties advocates, and even some lawmakers who worried about overreach into legitimate promotional marketing.
Industry Pushback
National sweepstakes casino operators and their lobbyists mounted a sustained opposition campaign during the 2026 session. Key arguments:
Free-to-play foundation: Sweepstakes casinos operate under federal promotional sweepstakes law. Players are never required to purchase anything to participate — the AMOE (Alternative Method of Entry) model provides free coin entry via mail. Banning this model, opponents argued, would require Maryland to also prohibit fast-food sweepstakes, lottery-style marketing promotions, and other consumer promotions using the same legal structure.
Constitutional concerns: Several legal observers flagged First Amendment issues with broad bans on advertising sweepstakes products, which are lawful under federal law.
Economic displacement: Some legislators questioned whether the ban would simply drive Maryland players to unregulated offshore platforms rather than to MLGCA-licensed sportsbooks.
The C&D Letters Did the Heavy Lifting Anyway
One likely factor in the Senate's hesitation: the MLGCA had already issued 75+ cease-and-desist letters to sweepstakes operators (per MLGCA public records, 2024-2025). Approximately one-third of operators voluntarily complied, and most major platforms — Stake.us, McLuck, Fortune Coins, Zula Casino — had already exited Maryland. The practical impact of a statutory ban was diminished when the regulator had already achieved substantial market contraction through administrative action alone.
Why rush a potentially flawed bill when the market had already been significantly disrupted?
The Operator Exodus: Who Left Maryland?
The MLGCA's aggressive C&D campaign, combined with legislative uncertainty, created a hostile environment that proved too risky for most major sweepstakes operators. Key departures include:
| Operator | Status in Maryland | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stake.us | Exited | Voluntarily withdrew after C&D pressure |
| McLuck | Exited | One of the first to exit following MLGCA letters |
| Fortune Coins | Exited | Departed ahead of legislative session |
| Zula Casino | Exited | Withdrew from MD market |
| Wow Vegas | Restricted | Significantly limited MD access |
The operators that remain in Maryland are generally smaller, newer, or operating with a higher risk tolerance. This matters for players: the brands with the deepest game libraries, strongest customer support infrastructure, and most established redemption processes are largely gone from the state.
Last verified: April 2026.
What Maryland Players Can Still Access
Despite the exodus of major operators, Maryland residents retain access to several legal alternatives:
Sports Betting (Legal and Thriving)
Maryland's 12 licensed mobile sports betting operators are fully active. FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, and bet365 all operate legally under MLGCA oversight. The monthly handle runs $600–720 million. Maryland sports bettors are among the most well-served in the country — every major book is present, competing for market share.
Daily Fantasy Sports (Legal)
DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, and Underdog Fantasy all operate legally in Maryland under the State Government Article 9-1D-01 framework. DFS is explicitly regulated, not merely tolerated.
Land-Based Casinos (Six Licensed Properties)
Maryland's six commercial casinos remain fully operational:
- MGM National Harbor (National Harbor) — one of the highest-grossing casinos on the East Coast
- Live! Casino & Hotel (Hanover) — flagship property for FanDuel's MD sportsbook anchor
- Horseshoe Casino Baltimore — downtown Baltimore
- Ocean Downs Casino (Berlin) — Eastern Shore
- Rocky Gap Casino Resort (Flintstone) — Western Maryland
- Hollywood Casino Perryville — Northeast corridor
Remaining Sweepstakes Options
A limited set of sweepstakes operators continues to accept Maryland players as of April 2026. These are predominantly newer or mid-tier platforms. Players interested in sweepstakes-style casino games should verify current operator availability directly, as the landscape continues to shift.
Last verified: April 2026.
The 2027 Risk: Will Maryland Try Again?
The near-consensus expectation among gambling law analysts and industry observers is that Maryland will refile sweepstakes ban legislation in the 2027 General Assembly session, which begins in January 2027.
Why a 2027 Retry Is Likely
Governor Moore remains committed. SB112 originated at his request. He has the political capital and motivation to prioritize it again in 2027.
The MLGCA infrastructure is in place. The agency has already built the regulatory framework for identifying and pursuing sweepstakes operators. The transition from administrative action to statutory ban is logical.
National momentum. Maryland is not alone. Multiple other states have filed or passed similar legislation in 2025-2026. The political playbook is now well-established.
More session time. In 2027, legislators will have the full session without the learning curve of drafting novel legislation. The bills will likely be refined and better positioned for Senate passage.
What 2027 Legislation Might Look Like
Expect the 2027 version to address the weaknesses that slowed SB112/HB295:
- Narrower "interactive games" definition focused specifically on dual-currency casino-style products, not all promotional sweepstakes
- Explicit operator compliance timelines rather than immediate enforcement triggers
- Potential carve-outs for purely promotional sweepstakes that don't resemble casino games
What It Means for Players
Maryland players interested in sweepstakes casinos are operating on borrowed time. The window between now and January 2027 is the remaining period of practical access. If 2027 legislation passes and is signed (which is more likely than not given Governor Moore's involvement), the Maryland sweepstakes market effectively closes.
The prudent play: Maryland residents who want to experience sweepstakes casino platforms should do so now, using operators that remain active in the state, with the understanding that the regulatory environment could harden at any point.
FAQ
Did Maryland ban sweepstakes casinos in 2026?
No. SB112 and HB295 both failed to pass before the April 13, 2026 session end. Maryland has not enacted a statutory ban on sweepstakes casinos. However, the MLGCA has issued 75+ cease-and-desist letters, and most major operators have voluntarily exited the state.
What is Maryland SB112?
SB112 is a Maryland Senate bill prefiled in January 2026 that would have prohibited "interactive games" — the dual-currency sweepstakes casino model. Introduced at Governor Moore's request, it was one of six similar bills filed across different states in the 2026 legislative wave.
Why did SB112 die?
SB112 and companion HB295 ran out of session time before clearing the full Senate. The Maryland General Assembly's 90-day session ended April 13, 2026, without a floor vote on the Senate bill.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Maryland right now?
There is no statutory ban in Maryland as of April 2026. Sweepstakes casinos that have not received (or have complied with) MLGCA cease-and-desist letters technically continue to operate under federal promotional sweepstakes law. However, the regulatory climate is hostile. Most major operators have exited. Players should verify any platform's current Maryland availability before registering.
Which sweepstakes operators exited Maryland?
Major confirmed departures include Stake.us, McLuck, Fortune Coins, and Zula Casino. The full list of operators that received MLGCA cease-and-desist letters has not been publicly released in its entirety, but the MLGCA confirmed it sent more than 75 such letters between 2024 and 2025.
Will Maryland ban sweepstakes casinos in 2027?
This is widely expected. Governor Moore has shown sustained commitment to banning sweepstakes platforms, and the regulatory infrastructure (MLGCA enforcement framework, existing C&D process) is already in place. A 2027 retry with a refined bill is the most likely scenario.
Responsible Gambling
Sweepstakes casinos use virtual currency and a promotional sweepstakes model — no purchase is necessary to participate. However, if you find yourself spending real money to purchase Gold Coins or virtual credits, or if gambling-style activity is affecting your finances, relationships, or mental health, help is available.
Maryland resources:
- Maryland Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) — available 24/7
- National Council on Problem Gambling: ncpgambling.org
- Gamblers Anonymous: gamblersanonymous.org
Play responsibly. If you're experiencing problems with gambling or sweepstakes gaming, please reach out.