With online casinos being prohibited, Maryland sweepstakes casinos are your best option for playing casino-style games in the Old Line State. These social casinos provide you with a legal way to play slots and table games for free. And the best thing is, with Promotional Play and free Sweeps Coins, MD sweepstakes sites allow you to win real prizes without requiring you to make a purchase.
Maryland Sweepstakes Casinos
In this guide, we’ll be going over exactly how online gaming works in Maryland. Plus, we’ll be looking at how sweepstakes casinos operate and the best sites for Marylanders to play at.
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List of Legal Online Casinos in Maryland (Sweepstakes)
1
3M GC + 3000 FC + 20 Free Spins
- Daily FS/SC codes
- Android/iOS apps available
- Exclusive 30 Free SC bonus
2
60,000 GC + 42 Free SC for $19.99
- 24/7 live support
- 40+ game studios
- Loyalty rewards & boosters
3
1,650,000 GC + 88 SC + 65 Free Plays
- H&W slots, live dealer & fish shooters
- Solid range of payment methods
- Instant chat support
4
5,000 GC + 5 Sweeps Cash for $0.99
- 1000+ slots, live dealer & Originals
- Native Android/iOS apps
- Playing Together mode
5
270k GC + 27 SC + 3 Elixir + Claw for $9.99
- Lost City & Claw minigames
- 45+ game studios
- Packed Live & Exclusive lobbies
Maryland Gambling Laws: Online Casino Legal Updates
Online casinos are banned in Maryland. While there is currently a bill in SB 885 that could see this change in 2026, the reality is that lawmakers have been trying and failing to introduce online casinos into the Old Line state for quite a while now. For this reason, the best option for playing online casino games is with sweepstakes casinos.
Of course, that’s not to say that sweepstakes casinos have been without controversy. As since early 2025, certain lawmakers as well as the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency have been making life difficult for operators. Below, we’ll be going over a quick timeline of what’s been happening in the Free State.
April 2026
Both anti-sweeps bills in Maryland failed to make it through the legislature in time.
March 2026
The city of Baltimore files a lawsuit against the parent companies of multiple high-profile sweepstakes casinos. The affected companies are VGW, B2Services OÜ, Yellow Social Interactive, Sweepsteaks Limited, High 5 Entertainment, and Blazesoft.
February 2026
Bills SB 652 and HB 1226 are introduced into the Senate and the House respectively. Introduced as the Maryland Illegal Online Gambling Enforcement Act, these bills seek to more clearly define online gambling, and label sweepstakes casino-style games as a form of illegal online gambling.
January 2026
Continuing on with their efforts from the prior year, lawmakers file two new bills in HB 295 and SB 1226 — again with the aim of banning sweepstakes casinos in the Old Line state.
April 2025
Bill HB 1140 fails to pass through the House. As a result, cross-filed bill SB 860 also fails.
March 2025
Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency issues a cease & desist letter to Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW).
March 2025
Bill SB 860 passes through the Senate with unanimous support. It now awaits the result of the cross-filed HB 1140.
February 2025
Bills SB 860 and HB 1140 were filed with the goal of banning sweepstakes casinos. These bills would not only target the sweepstakes casinos themselves, but also payment processors and media affiliates that were deemed to have supported or promoted sweepstakes casinos in Maryland.
January 2025
Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency issues a wave of cease & desist letters to what they called “illegal operators”. Sweepstakes casinos McLuck, Zula, Fortune Wins (then Fortune Coins), Stake.us, Golden Hearts Games, and ReBet are among the targeted sites.
How You Can Play Online Slots and Casino Games in Maryland
With online casinos banned from operating in Maryland, residents of the Free State have three options for playing slots and casino games online.
The first of these options are social casinos. Social casinos are a great option for casual play, as they allow you to play casino games for free. The only downside though, is that while these games can be fun, they do not offer you the chance to win prizes. So even if you get a big win, all you’ll receive is monetarily worthless credits.
Offshore casinos on the other hand, do offer real money play. Deposits and withdrawals are advertised, and real casino games are offered. But ask anyone who’s ever played at offshore casinos before, and you’ll find that these sites have some serious risks to them. As since they’re essentially illegal, there’s nothing stopping these sites from rigging their games, refusing withdrawals, or otherwise just disappearing from the web altogether.
MD sweepstakes casinos however offer the perfect middle ground. They’re free to play at. And since they use a dual-currency system and abide by a ‘no purchase necessary’ policy, rather than being considered an online casino, they’re instead regarded as a sweepstakes promotion — which is 100% legal in Maryland.
How are sweepstakes casinos legal in Maryland?
The reason why sweepstakes casinos are legal in MD is pretty simple. And it really just comes down to the fact that due to their operating structure, they aren’t considered to be a casino, but rather a sweepstakes promotion — which are legal in Maryland. Of course, if you’re not familiar with the differences between sweepstakes and online casinos, they can look somewhat similar at first glance. However, there are some key differences.
One of the most important of these differences is that at sweepstakes casinos, purchases are not required. Bonuses and AMOEs give you lots of ways to win free coins. This means when you play at an MD sweepstakes casino, you can win real prizes without ever having to make a purchase — which is a core tenet of a sweepstakes promotion.
Another important factor is the two-currency system. At sweepstakes casinos, you have a Standard Play currency (Gold Coins), and a Promotional Play currency (Sweeps Coins). Sweeps Coins is the currency that you can redeem for real prizes. But, importantly, Sweeps Coins cannot be purchased. Instead, you can only get Sweeps Coins through AMOE, bonuses, and as free gifts when you purchase select Gold Coins packages.
Overview Of The Best Sweepstakes Casinos in Maryland
Because of the frequent anti-sweepstakes bills, some sweepstakes casinos have decided to not operate in MD. As a result, the selection of available sweepstakes casinos in MD isn’t as big as you might find in other US states. But don’t worry. Because there are still heaps of great Maryland sweepstakes casinos. And below, we’ll be going over our top 5.
1. Fortune Wins - Best for Bonuses
- Legal in Maryland? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 3M GC + 3000 FC + 20 Free Spins
- Number of Games: 2,000+
- Virtual Currencies: FC, GC
- Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Cards, Skrill, Online Banking
Fortune Wins is the flagship sweepstakes casino of parent company Blazesoft. They’ve got over 2,000 titles. They have one of the best progressive jackpot networks around. Plus, all users can look forward to a wide variety of bonuses that ensure that you’ll always have a steady stream of free coins. The best of these is the welcome bonus. As for new users who sign up from Maryland, you can claim a welcome package of 3,000,000 GC + 3,000 FC + 20 free spins.
2. Big Shot Games - Best for Live Dealer Games
- Legal in Maryland? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 10,000 Gold Coins + 2 Free SC
- Number of Games: 1,000+
- Virtual Currencies: Gold Coins, Sweeps Coins
- Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Online Banking
Big Shot Games is the perfect sweepstakes casino for players who want something a little bit more on top of their normal gameplay. New users will immediately get 10,000 Gold Coins + 2 Free Sweeps Coins upon completing the sign-up process. And these coins can be used to play any of their 1,000+ titles — including any from their extensive selection of live dealer games.
3. DexyPlay - Best for Free Spins
- Legal in Maryland? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 350,000 GC
- Number of Games: 1,600+
- Virtual Currencies: Gold Coins, Super Coins
- Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Cards, PayPal, Online Banking
If you love playing slots, then DexyPlay is a great option. That’s because in addition to their 1,500+ slot games, DexyPlay is one of the most generous sweepstakes casinos when it comes to free spins. And there’s no better example of this than their purchase bonus. Because on top of being able to score yourself a total of 500,000 GC + 50 SC for just $24.99, DexyPlay will also award you with 10 free spins on the exciting slot game Almighty Diamonds: Hold ‘N’ Link.
4. MyPrize.us - Best for Crypto Banking
- Legal in Maryland? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 1,000 GC + Up to 1.3 SC
- Number of Games: 1,000+
- Virtual Currencies: Gold Coins, Sweeps Cash
- Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Skrill, Online Bank Transfer, Crypto
There’s a lot to like about MyPrize.us. They offer good bonuses, 1,000+ slots created by some of the best developers, and of course, they’re legal in Maryland. However, what makes MyPrize.us really stand apart from other MD sweepstakes casinos is that crypto banking is supported. This means not only can you make purchases with a variety of crypto coins, but you can also have your prizes redeemed in the cryptocurrency of your choice.
5. Dorados - Best for Wide Variety of Games
- Legal in Maryland? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 20,000 GC + 2 Gems + 2 Elixir
- Number of Games: 3,100+
- Virtual Currencies: Gold Coins, Gems, Elixirs, Claw Credits
- Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Cards, Bank Transfer
Since launching in 2026, Dorados has steamrolled its way to being considered one of the best Maryland sweepstakes casinos. The welcome bonus of 20,000 GC + 2 Gems + 2 Elixir is very fair. However, the real headline attraction of Dorados is their massive 3,100+ selection of games. These games include slots, table games, live dealer games, and instant win games. Better yet, while popular providers like 3 Oaks and NetEnt are available, Dorados also stocks games from some of the rarer developers like Shady Lady as well. This means regardless of what you’re looking for, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll be able to find it at Dorados.
Why Our Experts Selected These Brands
We like to be transparent in how we review sweepstakes casinos. And so below, we’ll be going over exactly what criteria we considered when deciding which sites would make our top 5 Maryland sweepstakes casinos list.
For a full breakdown of how we review sweepstakes casinos, check out our page on the SweepsKings rating process.
How Payments Work
Banking at sweepstakes casinos in Maryland is remarkably simple. And after signing up, users will be able to head to the coins store and purchase a variety of different Gold Coins packages. These Gold Coins packages come in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, if you’re interested in possibly making a redemption, you’ll want to prioritize purchasing Gold Coins packages that include free Sweeps Coins.
When making a purchase, simply select which package you wish to purchase, choose how you wish to make a payment, and then fill in the relevant prompts. Once completed, your purchased coins will be immediately credited to your account. From there, you’re free to play casino-style games. And if you choose to, you can also then look into making a redemption.
Can you win real money playing sweepstakes casino games?
At sweepstakes casinos, you have the option to redeem your Sweeps Coins for real money. However, there are a couple of requirements. First of all, you will need to have played through your SC balance at least once (or possibly more depending on playthrough requirements). Secondly, you’ll need to make sure that you have met the minimum redemption requirements. Finally, you’ll also need to ensure that you’ve completed KYC verification.
Once all of that’s done, you’ll be ready to make a redemption. Just click on the redeem button, then choose how much you want to redeem, and how you wish to receive your redemption. From there, redemptions will take 48-72 hours on average to process.
One thing to keep in mind though, is that if you are engaging in Promotion Play, it’s a good idea to practice responsible social gaming. And if needed, you may wish to use RSG tools or contact the customer service team to arrange play limits.
Your Gaming Options at MD Sweepstakes Casinos
When playing at sweepstakes casinos in the Old Line State, you’ll have a variety of different gaming options depending on which site you play at.
Slots will make up the majority of most libraries. But of course, not all slots are the same. And from the library, you’ll be able to sort between games based on available gameplay mechanics, themes, and developers.
Outside of slots, you can also expect to find classic table games like blackjack and roulette — as well as live dealer games. A live dealer and table version of the same game will usually offer the same gameplay. However, they’ll each come with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Classic table games are faster and allow you to set your own pace. Meanwhile, live dealer games will give you a more social experience, and may even let you chat with the dealer.
Outside of these games, you can always expect to find more casual games. Games like multiplayer fish are kind of like arcade shooters. Meanwhile, crash-style games offer you the unique opportunity to change gameplay to your preference — with volatility and bet-sizing able to be fully customizable depending on your preference.
Bonuses and Promotions at Maryland Online Casinos
One of the real strengths of sweepstakes casinos over traditional online casinos are the bonuses. As while traditional online casinos typically only have the one type of bonus — a deposit bonus, at sweepstakes casinos, there are a whole lot more. And the reason for this all comes down to the no purchase necessary policy.
When you sign up, you’ll get a no deposit welcome bonus. When you log in once a day, you’ll get the daily login bonus. Follow a Maryland sweepstakes casino on social media, and chances are you’ll be able to take part in a variety of contests for the chance to win free coins. At sweepstakes casinos, free coins are constantly coming at you left, right, and center.
And of course, that isn’t to say there isn’t a ‘deposit bonus’ either. Because when you sign up, you’ll be given the chance to take advantage of a first purchase bonus, which gives you the opportunity to get extra free Sweeps Coins when making your first purchase.
But that’s not all. As with sweepstakes casinos, you can also look forward to the following bonuses:
Though of course, bonuses vary from site to site. So you’ll need to check out each sweepstakes casino itself to see what exactly is on offer, as well as if there are any important terms & conditions to consider.
Comparison of the Best Maryland Casinos with Real Cash Prizes
| Maryland Sweepstakes Casinos | Welcome Bonus | Games | Best Feature | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortune Wins | 3M GC + 3000 FC + 20 Free Spins | 2,000+ | Fantastic bonuses | Android and iOS |
| Big Shot Games | 10,000 GC + 2 SC | 1,000+ | Great live dealer games | N/A |
| DexyPlay | 350,000 GC | 1,600+ | Best for free spins | N/A |
| MyPrize.us | 1,000 GC + Up to 1.3 SC | 1,000+ | Crypto banking | Android and iOS |
| Dorados | 20,000 GC + 2 Gems + 2 Elixir | 3,100+ | Extensive selection of games | N/A |
Aspects in Favor and Against Sweepstakes Casinos in Maryland
A recent survey found that about 75% of Marylanders would like to see some form of online gaming legalized. And with online casinos being banned, sweepstakes casinos comfortably fill that role.
Of course, that’s not to say that sweepstakes casinos aren’t without their cons. So for full transparency, below we’ll be going over the pros and cons of sweepstakes casinos in the Old Line State.
Pros
- Legal under current framework
- Great place to play casino-style games without having to risk your own money
- Cash prizes can be won
- Marylanders want some form of online gaming
- 100% KYC compliance ensures that only eligible users can play
- Lots of bonuses
Cons
- Problem social gaming habits can arise
- New laws could see sweepstakes casinos banned in the future
- Many sweeps sites have left Maryland
Other Gaming Options for Maryland Players
Outside of sweepstakes casinos, residents of the Free State have two main options for gaming. For sports betting, you’re in luck — as online sports betting has been 100% legal and active in Maryland since 2022. For casino-style games though, your only alternatives are currently the six available physical casinos. MGM National Harbor, Horseshoe Casino, Live! Casino and Hotel, and Ocean Downs, to name a few.
Residents of Maryland also have access to lotteries, FAST PLAY games, and scratch-off tickets that are operated by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
Author: Bogdan Lunkan
Updated:
Bogdan has been playing sweepstakes casino games before it was cool! He has achieved top VIP status on a number of sweepstakes casinos and regularly bets the max when playing his favorite slots. Bogdan takes you inside the mind of a high-stakes player, and following his tips, you too can redeem lots of Sweeps Coins.
Bogdan has been playing sweepstakes casino games before it was cool! He has achieved top VIP status on a number of sweepstakes casinos and regularly bets the max when playing his favorite slots. Bogdan takes you inside the mind of a high-stakes player, and following his tips, you too can redeem lots of Sweeps Coins.
