Social Casinos in Maryland: Legal Status & Platform Availability
Last reviewed: June 2026
SpinQuest currently accepts Maryland players. Stake.us exited Maryland in April 2025 following a Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency cease-and-desist letter. McLuck also does not currently serve Maryland. A 2026 legislative ban passed the House 105-24 but stalled in the Senate.
Platform availability
| Platform | Accepts players? | Minimum age | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stake.us | No | N/A | Exited April 29, 2025 following MLGCA C&D (March 2025) | Stake.us Help Center |
| McLuck | No | N/A | Pre-existing exclusion; Maryland in blocked states | McLuck Terms of Service |
| SpinQuest | Yes | 18+ | Maryland not in excluded states list | SpinQuest Sweepstakes Rules |
What state law says
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) has taken the position that online sweepstakes platforms offering casino-style games without a Maryland license are operating unlawfully. Maryland has a licensed casino market (MGM National Harbor, Live! Casino, Horseshoe Casino, Rocky Gap, Maryland Live!) and the MLGCA has authority to enforce against unlicensed online gambling competitors.
The MLGCA issued cease-and-desist letters to dozens of sweepstakes casino operators. Approximately one-third of recipients complied; reporting from 2025 noted roughly two-thirds of C&D recipients remained non-compliant. Maryland does not have a specific statute identical to Indiana’s HB 1052 or Connecticut’s PA 25-112, meaning the legal basis is regulatory enforcement under the existing gaming control framework rather than a new targeted ban.
Recent developments
March 2025: MLGCA issued a cease-and-desist to Stake.us.
April 29, 2025: Stake.us publicly confirmed its Maryland exit citing the MLGCA C&D.
March 20, 2026: HB 295 (Maryland Sweepstakes Casino Regulation Act) passed the Maryland House of Delegates 105-24. The bill would have created an explicit statutory ban mirroring other state bans.
Spring 2026: HB 295 stalled in the Maryland Senate. Also stalled: HB 1226 (Maryland Illegal Online Gambling Enforcement Act), a companion bill. Neither bill passed before the 2026 session ended.
Current posture: Maryland enforcement is ongoing under existing regulatory authority, without a new statute. Whether the MLGCA will escalate against remaining operators in 2026 is uncertain. SpinQuest’s continued presence reflects either a different compliance assessment or the MLGCA’s prioritization of higher-volume operators.
Sources
- Stake.us: Maryland exit announcement (April 2025)
- Gaming America: Maryland MLGCA enforcement and HB 295 status
- Legal Sports Report: Maryland sweepstakes casino status 2026
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Maryland’s legal and regulatory environment for sweepstakes casinos is evolving, platform availability may change without notice. Verify eligibility directly with each platform before playing. 21+. If gambling is affecting you, call 1-800-MY-RESET (NCPG).