The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency sent a formal cease-and-desist letter to Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), one of the largest sweepstakes operators.
Maryland Regulator Informed VGW That Online Casino Gaming Is Not Permitted
In a letter dated March 12, the agency informed VGW, which operates social casino sites like Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker, that the operator is “offering and conducting online gaming activities in Maryland without legal authority to do so.”
The letter, signed by Managing Director Michael Eaton, explicitly states that “the only online gaming permitted in Maryland is mobile/online sports wagering and online fantasy competitions,” adding that “online casino gaming is not permitted in Maryland.”
The agency noted that the state commission “has no record of VGW being issued a sports wagering license, a casino gaming license, or registration as a fantasy competition operator.”
VGW has until 5 p.m. ET on March 27 to respond to the letter. If the company is offering gaming activities in Maryland, it must provide detailed descriptions of all its casino games, sports betting, and fantasy competition offerings.
Senate Bill 0860 Would Ban Online Sweepstakes Games
In addition, that includes “any legal analysis or opinion interpreting Maryland Law that concludes, advises, or suggests that VGW may legally offer sports wagering, casino games or fantasy competition games in Maryland without Commission registration or licensure.”
The regulator is demanding that VGW acknowledge it will “cease offering any sports wagering, casino game, or fantasy competition in Maryland,” and provide “a date within 10 days from the date of this letter in which you intend to cease such operations.”
The letter warns that failure to comply “may jeopardize the ability of VGW to ever be issued: a license for sports wagering or gaming, registration as a fantasy competition operator, any other license, registration, or certification from the Commission in the future.”
This action comes as Senate Bill 0860, which would ban online sweepstakes games in the state, recently passed through the Budget and Taxation Committee without opposition. The House version of the bill is scheduled for a hearing this week.