Maryland’s gaming regulator has sent a slew of cease and desist letters to illegal online gambling operators accepting customers in the state.
According to the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency’s latest overview, the regulator has sent 11 cease and desist letters to illegal gambling operators with only six responding to the request. Despite the responses, all 11 operators continue to accept customers throughout Maryland with the state’s regulator planning additional action.
The agency is sending follow-up letters to operators demanding they to stop accepting customers from Maryland. It also plans to send letters to illegal payment processors.
According to a report from The Closing Line, the six gambling brands that have responded to the MLGCA’s cease and desist letters include Fortune Coins, Golden Hearts Games, McLuck Casino, Zula Casino, Stake.US, and Rebet, which launched in 2024.
The six operators all provide customers with access to sweepstakes offerings.
The operators that have yet to respond to the MLGCA’s request to stop accepting customers include BetUS, BetNow, SlotsandCasino, Everygame Sportsbook and BetAnySports. The group of operators provides users with access to illicit offshore wagering.
MD regulator adds to sweepstakes enforcement
The MLGCA is taking action against illegal gambling operators as regulators nationwide are taking steps to combat the growing popularity of sweepstakes that bypass regulations.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board sent cease and desist letters to Stake.US, PredictionStrike and Virtual Gaming World’s LuckyLand Slots for violations including the promotion of an unlicensed online lottery and offering iGaming and sweepstakes without a license. As a result of the letters, all three operators exited Michigan’s market.
Starting on April 15, Global Poker customers in Nevada will no longer have access to their accounts after the VGW brand informed players last month that its sweepstakes offering will no longer be accepted in the state amid regulatory scrutiny.
Last year, the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement ordered VGW to cease offering its online sweepstakes casino products before the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection sent a cease and desist letter to the sweepstakes operator.
VGW has also been ordered to cease operations in Idaho and Washington.
