Top Sweepstakes Casinos in Maryland
While SB860 goes through the legislative process, Marylanders still have time to enjoy social gaming. If you’re 18 and live in Maryland, you can join an online sweepstakes casino and play various casino-like games like slots and table games for free.
In a sweepstakes casino, the goal is to provide entertainment without the need to make any purchases. By using the operator’s digital currencies (usually Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins, although they can have different names), Marylanders are free to play their favorite games. The only difference between these currencies is that GCs don’t have a monetary value, while SCs can be used to enter tournaments and other events and win cash prizes.
One thing all players from Maryland should remember is that sweepstake casinos always offer free bonuses in order to comply with the alternative method of entry policy. You can, of course, also purchase a GC package with free SC, but that is not a prerogative for you to enjoy the social casino. Inviting a friend to join or joining a loyalty program is also on the table.
If you’re interested in trying out this form of entertainment, this list of top sweepstakes casinos in Maryland should help you make the right choice. We can suggest you try Mega Bonanza, WOW Vegas, Crown Coins, or Spree.
Top Maryland sweepstakes:
- Megabonanza Casino (5 Free SC + 250,000 WOW Coins)
- Crown Coins Casino (2 SC + 100,000 Crown Coins)
- Spree Casino (2 SC + 100,000 Crown Coins)
- Wow Vegas (5 Free SC + 250,000 WOW Coins)
Quick FAQ
Are sweepstakes social casinos legal in Maryland?
Yes, sweepstakes social casinos are legal in Maryland. However, this may change in the future following the proposal of SB860 in January 2025.
Can I win real money playing at Maryland social sweepstake casinos?
No, you can’t win real money when playing in a social sweepstakes casino. However, you can redeem cash prizes or gift cards if you play and win with Sweepstakes Coins.
Can I claim bonuses at Maryland sweepstakes casinos?
You can’t claim real money bonuses at sweepstakes casinos as you would at standard online casinos. However, you can get a sign-up bonus with free Gold Coins and complimentary Sweepstakes Coins, as well as daily login bonuses. Also, these sites will offer you discounts on various coin packages, refer friends deals, and loyalty programs.
Maryland Sweepstakes Social Casinos: Regulations and History
Following the transfer of presidential power, states have been facing various changes in different fields. Such an example is the recent Maryland Senate Bill 860, which proposes the ban of online sweepstakes within the borders.
So far, sweepstakes (as well as online betting) have been legal in the Old Line State. But is that about to change? This article goes over the legal framework regarding sweepstakes in Maryland, as well as their history and the best social casinos Marylanders can enjoy.
Sweepstakes Casinos Legal Framework in Maryland
In the US, online sweepstakes are considered to be legal on a federal level simply because they aren’t seen as real-money gambling. However, the federation allows each state to govern their views on sweepstakes, i.e., to ban, restrict, or allow this type of entertainment.
In Maryland, sweepstakes are entirely legal with a few minor restrictions:
• You must be at least 18 years old
• You need to be a resident of the state (although there are international sweepstakes)
• All operators must provide clear and accurate information under the consumer protection laws.
Despite the current legal borders, on 28 January 2025, Senator Corderman proposed a new bill that essentially bans online sweepstakes casinos. This comes as a backtrack, seeing that a few months back, House Bill 17 was proposed, seeking the legalization of online casinos in Maryland.
According to the SB860, filled together with HB1140, an online sweepstakes game is “a game, contest, or promotion that is available on the Internet… utilizes a dual-currency system of payment… and simulates casino-style gaming, lottery games, or sports wagering.”
As such, the bill proposes that all types of entertainment that fall under this definition be banned within the state, as well as prohibit every person from operating, promoting, conducting, and even supporting online sweepstakes games.
But Senator Corderman didn’t stop there. The bill also requires the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency to not only deny and revoke certain license applications but also stop the issuance of such licenses to certain persons. As an amendment to the Criminal Code, this legislation further imposes a fine between $10,000 and $100,000 or a 3-year imprisonment for everyone who violates the section.
To put it simply, if the bill turns to law, many financial institutions, affiliates, payment processors, license issuers, and other subjects will be banned from engaging with online sweepstakes in any way. This also imposes restrictions on offshore operators regarding their licensing.
The Social and Promotional Games Association replied to this proposition, stating, “This bill is another unfortunate example of anti-competitive special interests bending the legislature to their will at the expense of innovation, small businesses, and the millions of consumers who enjoy the safe and engaging mobile games offered by social casinos.”
Maryland Sweepstakes History
The history of sweepstakes in Maryland can be traced back to the first lotteries when people used this method to distribute property. It was in the 1790s when the lottery became a popular pastime, although lottery fraud persisted to be a problem at the time.
Fast forward to 1973, the Maryland State Lottery opened with the approval of Maryland voters. Alongside it, the State Lottery Agency was formed, now known as the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. The idea was for this regulative body to deal with all lottery frauds, later on expanding its reach to other types of gaming, including sweepstakes.
In Maryland, sweepstakes are perceived as digital contests that allow participants to enter and win prizes via online platforms, eliminating the need to go to a physical location. In its online form, online sweepstakes showed up in the Old Line State in the early 2010s.
