Maryland Lawmakers Advance Bill to Ban Sweepstakes Casinos

Maryland has progressed with little resistance. Senate Bill 860, introduced by Senator Paul Corderman, ed through the Senate’s Budget and Taxation Committee on March 7 without opposition.

The bill specifically seeks to prevent any entity from “operating, conducting, or promoting online sweepstakes games or ing the operation, conducting, or promotion of online sweepstakes games.” With its approval in committee, the proposal moves forward in the legislative process.

Earlier this year, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency took action against sweepstakes casinos by issuing cease-and-desist letters to 11 operators, declaring their activities illegal and instructing them to block Maryland residents from accessing their platforms. Although the agency did not disclose the names of the companies, The Closing Line newsletter identified Stake.us and Rebet among the six operators that responded. At the time, none of the companies agreed to comply with the order.

Corderman, when addressing the committee, provided minimal elaboration on the bill’s intent but stated, “I think it speaks for itself. It’s an effort … the statute to enforce this right now, these, these illegal iGaming, you know, as, as we saw before you, Google has all these things here, so, it’s good to go.”

The House version of the bill is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday.

New Jersey Lawmaker Reverses Course on Sweepstakes Sites

In a separate development related to sweepstakes gaming, a New Jersey lawmaker has shifted his stance on the issue. Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese, who previously ed legislation to regulate sweepstakes casinos, has now introduced a bill that would outlaw them entirely.

The new legislation would “prohibit the sweepstakes model of wagering; establish new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices; and direct the Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties.” This marks a complete reversal from his earlier proposal, which aimed to integrate sweepstakes casinos into the state’s existing online gambling framework.

Calabrese’s previous bill would have categorized sweepstakes gaming under “internet gaming,” requiring licensing, regulatory oversight, and taxation similar to state-approved online casinos. His shift in position has surprised industry stakeholders, particularly given past from organizations such as the Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA).

At the time of the previous bill’s introduction, SPGA spokesperson Randi Brown expressed strong approval, stating, “The SPGA welcomes Assemblyman Calabrese’s bill. The SPGA and its are advocates for clear regulations that enable transparent, innovative, and responsible social and promotional gaming experiences. The bill aligns with our core objective of reinforcing the well-established legality and legitimacy of social sweepstakes games, which millions of American adults enjoy.”

Calabrese currently serves as vice-chair of New Jersey’s Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee, a position that gives him influence over gaming-related legislation.

Source:

‘’Prohibition of Online Sweepstakes Games and Revenue From Illegal Markets’’, mgaleg.maryland.gov.