Maryland wrapped up its 2026 legislative session without approving two bills targeting sweepstakes-style gaming, keeping a familiar fight unresolved for at least another year.
The measures, HB 295 and HB 1226, both cleared the House of Delegates. Neither one made it through the Senate before lawmakers adjourned on April 13, which ended their chances this session. The split mirrors what happened in 2025, when a Senate-backed ban proposal stalled once it reached the House.
The result was quickly celebrated by the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, which represents companies in the sector and argues its members operate legally while providing consumer safeguards.
In a statement sent to ReadWrite after the session ended, Managing Director Sean Ostrow said the group spent months pressing that case with lawmakers.
“We are pleased with this result in Maryland and want to thank the Maryland lawmakers who took the time to thoroughly consider this issue.
“Over multiple hearings and dozens of meetings, SGLA addressed false allegations by casino interests by demonstrating that the Social Plus industry already offers strong consumer protections and contributes to Maryland’s economy, while pushing back against efforts to misrepresent long-standing lawful activity as gambling,” he said.
“We are eager to work with lawmakers and regulators in 2027 to codify SGLA’s best practices for the broader social games industry, which can generate significant tax revenue while keeping consumers safe online.”
The alliance described the outcome as a win for a business category that remains active in Maryland’s digital economy, even as lawmakers continue debating how it should be regulated.
Why the fight over Maryland sweepstakes bills is continuing
Pressure on the market has not disappeared. Earlier this year, HB 1226, titled the Maryland Illegal Online Gambling Enforcement Act, drew notice because of how it was written.
We previously reported the bill would have allowed the attorney general to send cease-and-desist orders to sweepstakes operators and maintain a public list of sites that received them. The proposal also reached beyond operators themselves.
Platform providers, hosting companies, payment processors and credit card issuers could have been affected, raising questions among legal observers about how far Maryland could extend its enforcement powers.
The state has already shown it is willing to act against companies it says lack authorization. In November 2025, the Maryland Gaming Commission sent cease-and-desist letters to Chumba Casino and Lucky Land Slots.
Regulators said those sites were offering games involving chance and prizes without legal approval in Maryland. The commission gave both companies 10 days to respond and explain how they would stop operating in the state.
Opponents of online gambling have also tried to show public resistance. A statewide poll released in October 2025 by the National Association Against iGaming said 71% of Marylanders opposed some form of online gambling after respondents were given more information about round-the-clock smartphone casino access.
For now, operators will continue doing business while both sides prepare for another round in 2027.
Featured image: Canva
