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The Maryland Senate Budget and Tax Committee wants the Old Line State to become the latest U.S. market to approve a ban on online sweepstakes casino gaming.
The committee has prefiled Senate Bill 112, a piece of legislation that proposes a ban on certain “interactive games.” The bill defines an interactive game as an online contest, game or promotion that “utilizes multiple currency systems of payment allowing the player to exchange the currency for any prize or award or cash or cash equivalents”. An interactive game must also offer casino-style games that include slots, table games and video poker.
SB 112’s ban on interactive games also includes online sports wagering and lottery platforms that also leverage multiple currency systems of payment. The piece of legislation does not ban games that solely award non-cash prizes to customers.
The measure prohibits a person from both promoting and operating interactive games in Maryland, with violators guilty of a misdemeanor. The punishment for convictions subjects a violator to imprisonment for up to three years and a fine that ranges between $10,000 and $100,000. The state’s Lottery and Gaming Control Commission also holds the right to deny a license application or revoke an active license for any person who violates SB 112’s rules. Applicants are also required to disclose deals with companies that have ties to interactive games, including payment processors, geolocation providers and content suppliers. The failure to disclose the partnerships can result in license denial or revocation.
SB 112 also takes issue with license applications that accept revenue from jurisdictions that are state sponsors of terrorism or “high-risk jurisdictions.” A person who violates the revenue standards of SB 112 is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to up to three years in prison. The measure also levies of fine of up to $5,000 for persons who violate the rules.
Del. Eric Ebersole also proposed an online sweepstakes casino ban in 2025, but his measure also failed to progress after several hearings on the bill were canceled.
The Maryland Senate Budget and Tax Committee wants the Old Line State to become the latest U.S. market to approve a ban on online sweepstakes casino gaming.
The committee has prefiled Senate Bill 112, a piece of legislation that proposes a ban on certain “interactive games.” The bill defines an interactive game as an online contest, game or promotion that “utilizes multiple currency systems of payment allowing the player to exchange the currency for any prize or award or cash or cash equivalents”. An interactive game must also offer casino-style games that include slots, table games and video poker.
SB 112’s ban on interactive games also includes online sports wagering and lottery platforms that also leverage multiple currency systems of payment. The piece of legislation does not ban games that solely award non-cash prizes to customers.
Penalties for offering interactive games in Maryland
SB 112 also provides penalties for offering prohibited interactive games in Maryland.The measure prohibits a person from both promoting and operating interactive games in Maryland, with violators guilty of a misdemeanor. The punishment for convictions subjects a violator to imprisonment for up to three years and a fine that ranges between $10,000 and $100,000. The state’s Lottery and Gaming Control Commission also holds the right to deny a license application or revoke an active license for any person who violates SB 112’s rules. Applicants are also required to disclose deals with companies that have ties to interactive games, including payment processors, geolocation providers and content suppliers. The failure to disclose the partnerships can result in license denial or revocation.
SB 112 also considers casino & sweepstakes revenue
SB 112 also takes into consider revenue generated from gaming in markets where online casinos and platforms that use dual-currency systems of payment are prohibited. SB 112 requires Maryland’s gaming regulator to deny licenses to applicants if they or any of their affiliates accept revenue that is directly or indirectly derived from a “jurisdiction in which online casino gaming is prohibited and the revenue is derived from online casino gaming.”SB 112 also takes issue with license applications that accept revenue from jurisdictions that are state sponsors of terrorism or “high-risk jurisdictions.” A person who violates the revenue standards of SB 112 is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to up to three years in prison. The measure also levies of fine of up to $5,000 for persons who violate the rules.
House to consider a measure with mirroring principles
House members will also consider legislation that bans interactive games. The House Ways and Means Committee prefiled House Bill 295 as a companion measure to SB 112. The two measures were pre-filed as Maryland opens a new legislative session after previous efforts to ban online casino-style sweepstakes gaming in 2025 failed to progress.Previous legislative efforts to ban sweeps in Maryland
Last year, Sen. Paul Corderman introduced a bill that bans games and contests that use a dual-currency system of payment. Corderman’s measure proposed giving the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency the right to deny or revoke licenses tied to the offerings. The bill was unanimously approved by the full Senate before being sent to the House, where it stalled after the Ways and Means Committee failed to vote on it.Del. Eric Ebersole also proposed an online sweepstakes casino ban in 2025, but his measure also failed to progress after several hearings on the bill were canceled.
