Bill To Ban Sweepstakes Sites Sails Through Maryland Committee Hearing
The bill, which would outlaw the sites, passed through the state’s Budget and Taxation Committee without argument
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Legislators in Maryland took an incremental step toward to banning social casinos using sweepstakes prizing in the state, as a bill intended to do so quietly sailed through the state’s Budget and Taxation Committee late last week.
Senate Bill 860, introduced by Sen. Paul Corderman, would prohibit “a person from operating, conducting, or promoting online sweepstakes games or supporting the operation, conducting, or promotion of online sweepstakes games.”
The bill got through the committee without any dissenting voices, and Corderman himself explained — kind of — why he thought this bill should eventually pass and be signed into law.
“I think it speaks for itself,” he said to the rest of the committee. “It’s an effort … the statute to enforce this right now, these, these illegal iGaming, you know, as, as we saw before you, Google has all these things here, so, it’s good to go.”
The House version of the bill is scheduled for a hearing Tuesday.
Earlier this year, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency sent cease-and-desist letters to 11 sweepstakes casinos and sportsbooks, declaring the websites illegal and demanding they block access to Maryland residents. While the agency didn’t identify the operators, The Closing Line reported Stake.us and Rebet were among the six that responded, though none agreed to comply with the state’s demands at the time.
New Jersey lawmaker flips, flops
Meanwhile, in other sweepstakes news, a New Jersey lawmaker has apparently done a 180 when it comes to the class of sites.
Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese introduced a bill that would prohibit the “sweepstakes model of wagering; establishes new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices; directs Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties.”
The 180 here is this: Earlier this year, Calabrese introduced a bill that would have facilitated the legalization and regulation sweepstakes sites in the same way as existing state-licensed online casinos. The bill would have designated them as “internet gaming, requiring licensure, oversight, and taxation thereof within internet gaming framework.”
At the time, the Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA), was thrilled with Calabrese.
“The SPGA welcomes Assemblyman Calabrese’s bill,” spokesperson Randi Brown said. “The SPGA and its members are advocates for clear regulations that enable transparent, innovative, and responsible social and promotional gaming experiences. The bill aligns with our core objective of reinforcing the well-established legality and legitimacy of social sweepstakes games, which millions of American adults enjoy.”
Notably, Calabrese serves as vice-chair on the state’s powerful Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts committee.
Update: The SPGA is less thrilled with the latest Calabrese bill, providing Casino Reports with the following statement on Tuesday:
The SPGA firmly opposes Assembly Bill 5447, a reckless attempt to ban sweepstakes in New Jersey. This shortsighted legislation abandons the state’s progressive stance on gaming, directly contradicting the regulatory framework championed by Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese earlier this year—one that would ensure oversight, licensing, and taxation, bringing sweepstakes in line with other regulated gaming entities.
New Jersey has led the way in gaming regulation—not followed. With innovative licensing frameworks for digital entertainment, the state sets the standard. This smart, forward-thinking approach should continue, not be replaced by outdated prohibition.
Our members take pride in driving innovation and providing safe, engaging digital entertainment to New Jersey consumers. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, we remain committed to working with policymakers to ensure that millions of American adults can continue enjoying their preferred gaming experiences within a properly regulated environment.
We urge lawmakers to reject Assembly Bill 5447 and instead pursue the balanced regulatory approach previously introduced to protect consumers while allowing innovation to flourish in New Jersey’s dynamic gaming market.
