Maryland’s House has moved two bills aimed at sweepstakes-style online casino platforms to the Senate, giving lawmakers two different paths to crack down on the sector before the 2026 session ends. House Bill 295 passed the House 105-24 on March 20, while House Bill 1226 passed 135-1 on March 23, just in time to clear the state’s crossover deadline.
One bill bans the product, the other goes after enforcement
HB 295 is the cleaner ban bill. It would make it a crime to operate, conduct, or promote certain “interactive games” in Maryland. The bill defines those games as online or mobile products that use multiple currencies and let players exchange them for cash, cash equivalents, prizes, or awards while simulating casino-style gaming, lottery games, or sports wagering. Violations would carry up to three years in prison and fines ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.
HB 1226 goes further on the enforcement side. The Maryland Illegal Online Gambling Enforcement Act would let the attorney general and prosecutors issue cease-and-desist orders, seek injunctions, force forfeiture of profits, and target not only operators but also people and companies that knowingly support illegal online gambling. The bill also says gaming licenses must be revoked for violators and allows action against payment and platform providers tied to illegal sites.
Both bills now have Senate hearings next week
The Senate is not starting from scratch. HB 1226 was referred to Budget and Taxation on March 23 and is set for a hearing on March 31. HB 295 followed the same route and is scheduled for an April 1 hearing.
Maryland lawmakers already had a similar bill in front of them earlier this year. Senate Bill 112, the cross-file to HB 295 and a departmental bill requested by the Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, had its hearing on January 28 and has not moved since. That leaves the Senate with fresh House-passed versions now carrying the momentum.
Maryland now has a live chance to join the anti-sweepstakes push
The two-bill approach gives Maryland options. Lawmakers can back the direct ban, the tougher enforcement package, or both. Either way, the House has made clear it wants the Senate to act on sweepstakes casinos before the session runs out.
