The Maryland Gaming Commission has slapped two casinos with ‘cease-and-desist’ letters, effective immediately.
Two casinos have been delivered cease-and-desist letters by the Maryland Gaming Commission after the organization found that they had been operating games to those in Maryland without authorization.
NEW: Maryland Lottery sends a second round of cease-and-desist letters to Chumba Casino and Luckyland Slots after VGW (the operator of both sweepstakes casino websites) failed to comply with the initial demand from March 2025. @MDLottery demands compliance within 10 days. pic.twitter.com/UYuEudhuEw
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) November 20, 2025
The first, Chumba Casino, offered online poker, casino gaming, and sweepstakes games, all of which contain elements of chance and prizes to be won, which is not allowed in Maryland. The second, Lucky Land Slots, was offering casino gaming and sweepstakes, also not legally authorized in the state by the Commission.
The Maryland Gaming Commission, which regulates gaming activity in the state, has requested that both Chumba Casino and Lucky Land Slots cease doing business, under Criminal Law Article § 12-113. Both casinos have 10 days from the date of the letters delivered to both businesses to respond and confirm that operations will be stopped. They are expected to specify the date and what steps will be taken to ensure compliance.
“Under Maryland law, gaming is illegal unless it is expressly authorized,” the Commission stated in letters to both Chumba Casino and Lucky Land Slots. “The gaming that is being offered through your site is not legally authorized in Maryland.”
The state follows New Jersey in cracking down on both VGW-owned casinos.
What’s next after the ‘cease-and-desist’ letters?
Failure on the part of either casino to not cease operations could jeopardize the chance of them obtaining any future Commission-issued license, registration, or certification.
The Maryland Commission has had a busy week, after becoming the latest state to come out against prediction markets just a few days ago, warning operators that any direct or indirect involvement with such products could also put future license applications at risk. Those living in the state are generally against online gambling, with a recent study showing that 71% of residents are opposed to such games.
Featured image: PICRYL, licensed under PDM 1.0
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