A Maryland bill targeting online sweepstakes casinos was unanimously passed last week, and got a hearing in the House on Thursday to perhaps further its journey to becoming law.
Senate Bill 860, introduced by Sen. Paul Corderman (R-Hagerstown), seeks to, per its bill summary information:
(Prohibit) a person from operating, conducting, or promoting online sweepstakes games or supporting the operation, conducting, or promotion of online sweepstakes games.
The bill also notes it is “requiring the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency to deny certain license applications and revoke certain licenses under certain circumstances.” It will also, “prohibit the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission from issuing a license to certain persons or allowing the person to commence or continue operations under certain circumstances.”
Del. Eric Ebersole (D-Catonsville) has introduced a companion bill, House Bill 1140, which also received a hearing in the House earlier this month, but has not yet progressed beyond that.
The effort to ban sweepstakes casinos isn’t limited to Maryland, as Mississippi passed a bill in both its chambers that would prohibit them from operating, though an effort to tie sports betting to the bill has forced it back to the state’s Senate for reconciliation.
Maryland’s C&D campaign continues
In the meantime, the state is targeting what it is terming “unregulated” sweepstakes casinos in operation, even as the legislature debates the question of legality for all sweepstakes casinos.
A March 12 letter from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) to Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) contends that the entity is “offering and conducting online gaming activities in Maryland without legal authority to do so,” under the argument that “online casino gaming (also known as igaming) is not permitted in Maryland” — despite the state aiming to explicitly prohibit sweepstakes casinos.
VGW operates a number of sweepstakes casinos, including Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and LuckyLand Slots.
The state is calling for VGW to respond to the letter by March 27, noting that failure to respond with the requested information — including whether or not the company is making its games available in Maryland — could result in VGW never being issued any type of gaming license in the state.
Gaming lawyer and professor Daniel Wallach called attention on his X social media account to a similar letter from MLGCA to High 5 Games.
Connecticut continues its pressure
The campaign against High 5 from Maryland follows from a Connecticut campaign, reported on by Bonus, in which the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) suspended High 5’s license in the state after VGW was ushered out of the state by the same entity.
According to the article, “Players at the two online casinos in the state can no longer access High 5 Games’ content, which includes long-time favorite slots like the Da Vinci Diamonds series and new releases like Hootie’s Fortune.”
The suspension reportedly originated with the state’s concerns over High 5 operating a sweepstakes casino accessible in Connecticut. The article also noted:
While the company has indicated its intent to cooperate with the DCP, its titles will be unavailable until the regulatory issue is resolved. The statement indicates that the two parties could reach a solution(potentially a fine). That would allow High 5 Games’ content to return to the casinos. However, until the investigation is over, players won’t be able to access popular High 5 Games.
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