Baltimore sued six sweepstakes casino operators on March 4, 2026, alleging they ran illegal online gambling platforms in the city through casino-style games marketed as sweepstakes.
The complaint, filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, names operators behind Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, McLuck, Pulsz, Stake.us, High 5 and Fortune Coins.
Why Baltimore says the model breaks Maryland law
The city says the sites let users buy virtual “gold coins” and receive a second currency, often called sweeps coins or sweepstakes coins, that can be used on casino-style games and later redeemed for cash, prizes or cryptocurrency. Baltimore argues that when those coins can be played on games of chance and redeemed for something of value, the model constitutes gambling under Maryland law.
Maryland Lottery and Gaming says sports wagering and fantasy sports are currently the only authorized forms of online wagering in the state. That makes the lawsuit a direct challenge to products that present themselves as sweepstakes entertainment while operating outside Maryland’s regulated gambling framework.
What Baltimore wants and why the case matters beyond the city
Baltimore is asking the court to fine the companies, stop them from offering these games in the city, and require them to return money collected from players. The complaint also says the platforms used weak age checks and advertising that could appeal to minors and young adults.
The lawsuit lands as Maryland lawmakers consider similar restrictions statewide. Senate Bill 112 and House Bill 295 would ban certain online or mobile games that use multiple currencies and mimic casino games, lottery products or sports betting while offering cash or cash-equivalent prizes. House Bill 1226 and Senate Bill 652 would add enforcement tools aimed at illegal online gambling.
Why regulators are watching this case closely
The Baltimore case follows similar action elsewhere, including California, where the Los Angeles City Attorney announced a lawsuit in 2025 against Stake.us and related defendants, including Evolution entities.
It also comes as more states move against sweepstakes casinos, with Tennessee and Oklahoma escalating their crackdown. Together, those actions show how Baltimore’s lawsuit is part of a broader push to test where sweepstakes gaming fits under state gambling law
