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 1-800-522-4700 (NCPG).