Legislation News

Published: March 27, 2026

Maryland Sweeps Ban Nears Passage as iGaming Falters

Maryland lawmakers are set to approve legislation that bans sweepstakes-style casinos in the state. They remain far from passing a proposal that would legalize real-money games.

As Maryland’s sweeps ban bill is racing toward passage, a separate bill that would tax and regulate many of the games offered by sweeps sites has gained little traction. The dichotomy underscores the growing political support in Maryland - and an increasing number of states - for banning sweeps games while preserving the prohibition on real-money versions.

Sweeps bans accelerate

Maryland is among more than a half-dozen states that have introduced dual-currency online casino ban bills this year. It is set to join California, New York, New Jersey, and a growing number of states that have already passed bans.

Many leading operators have already existed at least a dozen states due to prior or recently passed laws, a figure that is set to grow when a bill passed this year by Indiana (and possibly more states) takes effect.

Maryland’s companion anti-sweeps bills passed the House of Delegates 105-25 and the state Senate 135-1 earlier this month. Now crossed over to their new chambers, the respective bills will be heard in committee within the next few days and are expected to pass the full legislature with similar bipartisan support in the coming weeks.

Proponents, including the state’s gaming regulators, have framed online sweeps casinos as violators of Maryland gambling law. Ban advocates say the sites’ dual-currency system, which allows some users to pay for a type of coin that can be exchanged for prizes, is a way to circumvent existing gambling prohibitions.

https://www.covers.com/industry/maryland-sweeps-ban-nears-passage-igaming-falters-march-27-2026 https://marylandmatters.org/2026/03/25/panel-considers-possible-expansion-of-slot-machines/