Maryland Bills to Ban Sweepstakes Casinos Fail to Advance

Senate Inaction Stops Momentum

Maryland lawmakers closed the 2026 session with unfinished business — and rising questions. Two bills aimed at sweepstakes casinos failed to advance in time. Both proposals passed the House with strong support earlier this year. Yet the Senate did not bring either bill to a vote. The legislative deadline arrived — and the effort quietly stalled.

This leaves sweepstakes-style casinos operating in a gray area for now. The issue may return in future sessions. Pressure could build again.

Bills Target Dual-Currency Casino Models

The proposals focused on casinos using dual-currency systems — a model regulators often question. These systems allow users to play casino-style games with virtual coins.

Lawmakers appear concerned these setups may resemble real-money gambling. That concern shaped both bills and drove early support.

• HB 295 passed the House with a 105–24 vote margin

• HB 1226 passed with overwhelming support at 134–2

• Both bills aimed to restrict sweepstakes-style casino operations

HB 295 came from the House Ways and Means Committee. It was introduced at the request of state regulators. Meanwhile, HB 1226 focused on broader online enforcement issues.

Regulatory Push Meets Legislative Delay

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency backed the legislative effort. Officials appear concerned about oversight gaps in emerging casino models. Nevertheless, Senate inaction suggests hesitation or competing priorities behind the scenes. Lawmakers may need more time to review legal and economic impacts.

The situation creates uncertainty — both for regulators and casino operators. Some companies may continue operations while rules remain unclear. Others could pause expansion plans.

Betting Market Continues to Grow

While lawmakers debated rules, Maryland’s betting market kept expanding steadily. Recent figures show continued growth in player activity and spending levels. In March, total betting handle reached $604.7 million statewide. That marks a 2.8 percent increase compared to last year.

Online betting dominated activity — accounting for $595.2 million of wagers. Retail locations contributed a smaller $9.5 million share. Players recorded $542 million in winnings during the same period. Operators held about 10.4 percent of total bets placed.

Beyond legislation, these numbers suggest a stable and growing market environment. The state continues to rely heavily on digital betting activity.

What Comes Next for Maryland

The inability to pass these bills does not put an end to the debate. Rather, it can postpone a bigger regulatory determination. The legislators might re-examine the problem during the next legislative session. Regulators can also pressurize towards more transparent rules or new proposals.

In the meantime, sweepstakes casinos are still operating - but with a very close eye. The dilemma of innovation and control is still unresolved.