As states proceed cracking down on sweepstakes and social on line casino gaming, Maryland regulators grew to become the most recent to make a transfer on these operators. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency lately despatched Australian-based Virtual Gaming Worlds a stop and desist letter.
VGW operates sweepstakes on line casino web sites Chumba Casino, Luckyland Slots, and Global Poker. The firm was ordered to cease working within the state and produce affirmation in writing to the company by March 27 that it had performed so.
The company additionally demanded that the corporate now not function any sports activities betting or fantasy contests in Maryland.
“The only online gaming permitted in Maryland is mobile/online sports wagering and online fantasy competitions,” management board managing director Michael Eaton famous within the letter to VGW. “Online casino gaming is not permitted in Maryland, and an operator is prohibited from offering any casino gambling unless licensed by the commission.”
Regulator Demands Answers
If the corporate continues to function, the company is asking for a full report on what video games and websites are nonetheless in operation and a protection of why VGW believes these fall inside Maryland regulation, together with “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 transfer comes because the state seems to be to each ban sweepstakes casinos, however legalize regulated and licensed operators. Sen. Ron Watson, who sponsored on-line on line casino laws final 12 months, believes a sweepstakes ban might pave the way in which for regulated operators to enter the market.
“The intent of this bill is to acknowledge and put a halt to the amount of illegal gaming going on, and the uncaptured state revenue that is missed by not regulating and supporting legal iGaming,” Watson advised Card Player. “iGaming is definitely ‘on the table’ and as Maryland’s fiscal challenges become more severe, this is now being considered as a potential option. Daily conversations are ongoing.”
VGW was additionally issued cease-and-desist letters in Connecticut, Delaware, and Michigan. But that is the primary time a regulator has demanded that the corporate present a authorized opinion of its operations. There hasn’t but been an announcement from VGW about leaving the state or responding to the company’s calls for in regards to the firm’s operations.
Other states contemplating sweepstakes gaming bans embrace New York and Florida.
New Jersey is taking a unique strategy. Lawmakers within the Garden State are contemplating regulating the trade just like the state’s authorized operators.
