Maryland bills to ban sweepstakes casinos fail to advance
HB 295 and HB 1226 did not gain a vote in the Senate.
US.- Maryland lawmakers have concluded the legislative session without approving either of two proposals to ban sweepstakes casino platforms. The proposals to prohibit online dual-currency casino-style games had passed the House but did not gain a vote in the Senate before the 2026 legislative deadline.
HB 295 came from the House Ways and Means Committee at the request of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency and passed the House by a 105-24 vote. A second bill, HB 1226, titled the Maryland Illegal Online Gambling Enforcement Act, passed the House by a 134-2 vote.
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming has reported that the sports betting handle in the state was $604.7m in March. That’s up 2.8 per cent year-on-year and an increase from February’s $515.6m. According to the report, $595.2m was bet online and $9.5m at retail locations. Winnings were $542m, with operators holding 10.4 per cent of the handle.
