Maryland has two sweepstakes-related bills making progress through the legislature, and yesterday (March 23) was an important day, marking the crossover deadline.
This is the point by which bills must pass their originating chamber to remain alive this session, so let’s take a look at the bills’ contents and progress.
Maryland’s House Bill 1226
Maryland, like many other US states, still doesn’t have a clear legal framework for online gambling. States in this category often rely on old laws written before the internet, covering only general games of chance or specific activities like sports betting, without spelling out what counts as an online casino.
Sweepstakes casinos have taken advantage of these gaps, operating in a gray area that some states tolerate, while others are starting to crack down.
To change this, almost all of HB 1226 (and its companion, Senate Bill 652) is brand-new wording, and it calls out ‘sweepstakes games’ as part of a new definition of illegal online gambling. A sweepstakes game is defined here as one which:
“Utilizes a dual-currency system of payment allowing the player to exchange the currency for any prize, award, cash or cash equivalents, or chance to win any prize, award, cash or cash equivalents”
However, HB 1226 isn’t just about sweepstakes – it’s designed to cover all forms of online gambling under state law, with clear rules and enforcement powers.
In terms of progress, HB 1226 passed the House overwhelmingly yesterday with a 134‑2 vote, and was subsequently referred to the Senate’s Budget and Taxation Committee. This means it met the crossover deadline and stays alive, so we’ll continue to track it.
Maryland’s House Bill 295
By contrast, HB 295 (and its companion, Senate Bill 112) is a little narrower. This proposal would amend Title 12 of the Criminal Law Article in MD governing gaming, and it would specifically restrict sweepstakes-style games – called ‘interactive games’, defined as follows:
“Utilizes multiple currency systems of payment allowing the player to exchange the currency for any prize or award or cash or cash equivalents reward”
So while the two bills are dealing with similar issues, HB 1226 sets up a completely new legal framework for online gambling in Maryland, and HB 295 looks to strengthen the rules around sweepstakes within existing law.
At the end of last week, the full House passed HB 295 on March 20 with a 105‑24 vote, and yesterday, it was referred to the Senate’s Budget and Taxation Committee, meaning this bill remains alive and awaits further action in the upper chamber.
Further Anti-Sweepstakes Action in MD
It’s also worth remembering that the City of Baltimore sued multiple sweepstakes casino operators earlier this month, including the companies behind Chumba, Stake.us, and McLuck – some of the biggest names in the space. And this follows on from a wave of cease-and-desists sent out by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency last year.
It’s clear that Maryland is trying to get serious about sweepstakes casinos. Last year’s anti‑sweeps bill (SB 860) stalled in the House, but lawmakers might have more luck in 2026, especially since both HB 1226 and HB 295 have already passed the House.
April 13 is when the legislature is expected to adjourn, so there are around three weeks left to pass any proposals.
Author: Bogdan Lunkan
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