Maryland Illegal Online Gambling Enforcement Act

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb1226*

HOUSE BILL 1226
C7, E1, E2 6lr2429
CF SB 652
By: Delegate Bartlett Delegates Bartlett, Conaway, and Woods
Introduced and read first time: February 11, 2026
Assigned to: Judiciary and Ways and Means
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 9, 2026

CHAPTER ______

AN ACT concerning 1

Maryland Illegal Online Gambling Enforcement Act 2

FOR the purpose of prohibiting certain persons from knowingly operating, offering, 3
conducting, engaging in, or promoting illegal online gambling in the State; 4
prohibiting certain persons from knowingly supporting, directly or indirectly, the 5
operation, conduct, or promotion of illegal online gambling in the State; authorizing 6
the Attorney General and certain prosecuting attorneys to take certain actions, issue 7
certain orders, and seek certain relief in order to enforce this Act; making a violation 8
of this A ct an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice under the Maryland 9
Consumer Protection Act; and generally relating to illegal online gambling. 10

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11
Article – Commercial Law 12
Section 13–301(14)(xlvii) 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2025 Replacement Volume) 15

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 16
Article – Commercial Law 17
Section 13–301(14)(xlviii) 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2025 Replacement Volume) 20

BY adding to 21
Article – Commercial Law 22
2 HOUSE BILL 1226

Section 13–301(14)(xlix) 1
Annotated Code of Maryland 2
(2025 Replacement Volume) 3

BY adding to 4
Article – State Government 5
Section 9–1F–01 through 9–1F–16 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 1F. Illegal 6
Online Gambling” 7
Annotated Code of Maryland 8
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 9

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 10
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 11

Article – Commercial Law 12

13–301. 13

Unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices include any: 14

(14) Violation of a provision of: 15

(xlvii) Title 14, Subtitle 50 of this article; [or] 16

(xlviii) Section 13–411.1(c)(2) of the Transportation Article; or 17

(XLIX) TITLE 9, SUBTITLE 1F OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 18
ARTICLE; OR 19

Article – State Government 20

SUBTITLE 1F. ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING. 21

9–1F–01. 22

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 23
INDICATED. 24

(B) “COMMISSION” MEANS THE STATE LOTTERY AND GAMING CONTROL 25
COMMISSION. 26

(C) “DIVISION” MEANS THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION OF THE 27
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. 28

(D) “FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROVIDER” MEANS ANY PERSON THA T 29
FACILITATES OR PARTI CIPATES IN ANY FINAN CIAL TRANSACTION BET WEEN AN 30
HOUSE BILL 1226 3

ONLINE GAMBLING PLAY ER AND AN ONLINE GAM BLING OPERATOR, INCLUDING A 1
PAYMENT PROCESSOR , CREDIT CARD ISSUER , FINANCIAL INSTITUTIO N, MONEY 2
TRANSMITTING BUSINESS, OR PAYMENT NETWORK U TILIZED TO EFFECT A CREDIT 3
CARD TRANSACTION , A DEBIT CARD TRANSAC TION, AN ELECTRONIC FUND 4
TRANSFER OR A MONEY TRANSMITTING SERVICE, OR ANY OTHER PARTICIPANT IN A 5
DESIGNATED PAYMENT SYSTEM. 6

(E) “ILLEGAL” MEANS NOT EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZED BY APPLICABLE LAW. 7

(F) “ONLINE GAMBLING ” MEANS THE BUSINESS O F OFFERING OR 8
ACCEPTING WAGERS , THROUGH AN ONLINE GA MING SYSTEM ON A COM PUTER, 9
MOBILE DEVICE , TABLET, OR ANY OTHER INTERAC TIVE DEVICE , ON ANY GAME , 10
CONTEST, LOTTERY, PROMOTION, OR CONTRIVANCE THERE OF, INCLUDING TABLE 11
GAMES, SLOT MACHINES, VIDEO POKER, SWEEPSTAKES GAMES, GAMES OF CHANCE, 12
AND ANY OTHER GAME TYPICALLY OFFERED IN A CASINO. 13

(G) (1) “ONLINE GAMBLING OPERA TOR” MEANS A PERSON WHO OWNS , 14
MAINTAINS, OR OPERATES AN INTERNET WEBSITE THAT IS USED FOR ILLEGAL 15
ONLINE GAMBLING. 16

(2) “ONLINE GAMBLING OPERA TOR” DOES NOT INCLUDE A P ERSON 17
LICENSED TO CONDUCT ONLINE SPORTS WAGERI NG OR FANTASY COMPET ITIONS 18
UNDER SUBTITLES 1D AND 1E OF THIS TITLE. 19

(H) “PLATFORM PROVIDER” MEANS ANY PERSON THAT: 20

(1) STORES OR HOSTS CONT ENT, FILES, DATA, AND OTHER 21
INFORMATION ON A WEB SERVER; AND 22

(2) MAKES THE CONTENT , FILES, DATA, OR OTHER INFORMATION 23
ACCESSIBLE ON AN INTERNET WEBSITE VIA A COMPUTER, MOBILE DEVICE, TABLET, 24
OR OTHER INTERACTIVE DEVICE. 25

(I) “SWEEPSTAKES GAMES ” MEANS A GAME , CONTEST, OR PROMOTION 26
THAT: 27

(1) UTILIZES A DUAL –CURRENCY SYSTEM OF P AYMENT ALLOWING 28
THE PLAYER TO EXCHANGE THE CURRENCY FOR ANY PRIZE, AWARD, CASH OR CASH 29
EQUIVALENTS, OR CHANCE TO WIN ANY PRIZE, AWARD, CASH OR CASH 30
EQUIVALENTS; AND 31

(2) SIMULATES ANY FORM OF GAMBLING, INCLUDING: 32

4 HOUSE BILL 1226

(I) CASINO–STYLE GAMES, INCLUDING SLOT MACHINES, VIDEO 1
POKER, AND TABLE GAMES SUCH AS BLACKJACK, ROULETTE, CRAPS, AND POKER; 2

(II) LOTTERY GAMES INCLUD ING DRAW GAMES , INSTANT WIN 3
GAMES, KENO, AND BINGO; AND 4

(III) SPORTS WAGERING. 5

(J) “WAGER” MEANS THE PROVISION OF CONSIDERATION , INCLUDING 6
MONEY OR ANYTHING OF VALUE, IN EXCHANGE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY ANY 7
GAME, CONTEST, LOTTERY, OR CONTRIVANCE AND RECEIVE MONEY OR SOMETHING 8
OF VALUE IN THE EVENT OF A CERTAIN OUTCOME, WHICH OUTCOME IS DETERMINED 9
BY SKILL, CHANCE, OR ELEMENTS OF SKILL AND CHANCE. 10

9–1F–02. 11

THIS SUBTITLE DOES NOT APPLY TO A PERSON LICENSED TO OFFER ONLINE 12
SPORTS WAGERING OR FANTASY COMPETITIONS UNDER SUBTITLES 1D AND 1E OF 13
THIS TITLE. 14

9–1F–03. 15

A PERSON MAY NOT KNOWINGLY: 16

(1) OPERATE, OFFER, CONDUCT, ENGAGE IN, OR PROMOTE ILLEGAL 17
ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE STATE; OR 18

(2) KNOWINGLY SUPPORT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECT LY, THE 19
OPERATION, CONDUCT, OR PROMOTION OF ILLE GAL ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE 20
STATE. 21

9–1F–04. 22

(A) (1) THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ACTING THROUGH 23
THE DIVISION, OR A PROSECUTING ATT ORNEY MAY ISSUE A WR ITTEN CEASE AND 24
DESIST ORDER TO ANY PERSON THAT VIOLATES § 9–1F–03(1) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 25

(2) A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL: 26

(I) SPECIFY THE ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITY; 27

(II) STATE THAT THE PERSON HAS 10 DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON 28
WHICH THE O RDER IS RECEIVED TO BLOCK THE ABILITY OF INDIVIDUALS 29
HOUSE BILL 1226 5

PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE TO ACCESS THE I LLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING 1
ACTIVITY; AND 2

(III) STATE THAT FAILURE T O BLOCK ACCESS TO TH E ILLEGAL 3
ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITY WITHIN 10 DAYS MAY RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR A 4
FINE OR BOTH, AS PROVIDED UNDER § 9–1F–06(A)(1) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 5

(B) (1) A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY WHO IS NOT THE ATTORNEY 6
GENERAL WHO ISSUES A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS 7
SECTION SHALL FORWARD A COPY OF THE ORDER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. 8

(2) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL MAINTAIN: 9

(I) A DEPOSITORY TO COLL ECT, MAINTAIN, AND RETAIN EACH 10
CEASE AND DESIST ORDER ISSUED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION; AND 11

(II) A LIST , PUBLICLY AVAILABLE O N THE OFFICE OF THE 12
ATTORNEY GENERAL’S INTERNET WEBSITE, THAT IDENTIFIES THE NAME OF EACH 13
ONLINE GAMBLING OPERATOR AND THE ASSOCIATED ONLINE GAMBLING INTERNET 14
WEBSITE URL ADDRESS THAT HAS BEEN ISSUED A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER. 15

(3) THE FAILURE OF A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY OR THE ATTORNEY 16
GENERAL TO COMPLY WIT H THIS SUBSECTION IS NOT A DEFENSE TO ANY ACTION 17
COMMENCED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 18

(C) (1) A CEASE AND DESIST ORD ER ISSUED UNDER SUBS ECTION (A) OF 19
THIS SECTION SHALL BE SERVED: 20

(I) IN COMPLIANCE WITH MARYLAND RULES 2–121 AND 2–124; 21
OR 22

(II) BY PUBLICATION IN CO MPLIANCE WITH MARYLAND RULE 23
2–122(A)(2). 24

(2) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS NOT REQUIR ED TO MAKE 25
REASONABLE EFFORTS T O LOCATE THE ONLINE GAMBLING OPERATOR BE FORE 26
SERVING THE CEASE AND DESIST ORDER BY PUBLICATION. 27

(D) A CEASE AND DESIST ORD ER SERVED UNDER SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS 28
SECTION: 29

(1) IS ADMISSIBLE IN ANY PROCEEDING UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; AND 30

6 HOUSE BILL 1226

(2) CONSTITUTES PRIMA FA CIE EVIDENCE THAT TH E PERSON HAS 1
KNOWLEDGE THAT ILLEG AL ONLINE GAMBLING W AS OCCURRING ON THE ONLINE 2
GAMBLING OPERATOR’S INTERNET WEBSITE. 3

(E) A PERSON OUTSIDE THE STATE WHO OWNS, MAINTAINS, OR OPERATES 4
AN INTERNET WEBSITE THAT TRANSMITS INFORMATIO N THROUGH OR WITH A 5
PLATFORM PROVIDER AN D WHO KNOWS OR SHOUL D HAVE KNOWN THAT TH E 6
INFORMATION IS BROAD CAST WITHIN THE STATE SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION 7
OF STATE COURTS FOR ENFORCEMENT UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 8

(F) BEFORE ISSUING A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER UNDER SUBSECTION (A) 9
OF THIS SECTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY PROVIDE REASONABLE NOTICE TO 10
THE COMMISSION TO ALLOW THE COMMISSION TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT WILL 11
JOIN THE ORDER. 12

9–1F–05. 13

WHENEVER THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ACTING THROUGH THE DIVISION, OR 14
A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY HAS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT A PERSON IS VIOLATING 15
§ 9–1F–03 OF THIS SUBTITLE OR TAKING ANY OTHER ACTION IN VIOLATION OF THIS 16
SUBTITLE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY MAY BRING AN 17
ACTION IN THE NAME OF THE STATE TO RESTRAIN BY TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT 18
INJUNCTION THE CONDUCT GIVING RISE TO THE VIOLATION. 19

9–1F–06. 20

(A) (1) A PERSON W HO VIOLATES § 9–1F–03(1) OF THIS SUBTITLE IS 21
GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND ON CONVICTION IS SUBJECT TO: 22

(I) FOR A FIRST VIOLATION, IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING 3 23
YEARS OR A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $50,000 OR BOTH; AND 24

(II) FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION, IMPRISONMENT NOT 25
EXCEEDING 3 YEARS OR A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100,000 OR BOTH. 26

(2) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES § 9–1F–03(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE IS 27
SUBJECT TO: 28

(I) FOR A FIRST VIOLATIO N, A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $25,000; 29
AND 30

(II) FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION, A FINE NOT 31
EXCEEDING $50,000. 32
HOUSE BILL 1226 7

(B) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION: 1

(1) EACH ONLINE GAMBLING WAGER OFFERED OR ACC EPTED BY A 2
PERSON CONSTITUTES A SEPARATE VIOLATION; AND 3

(2) EACH INDIVIDUAL PROMOTION OF ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING IN 4
THE STATE CONSTITUTES A SEPARATE VIOLATION. 5

(C) A COURT SHALL ORDER TH E FORFEITURE OF ANY PROFITS, GAINS, 6
GROSS RECEIPTS, OR OTHER BENEFITS EARNED BY A PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH 7
A VIOLATION OF THIS SUBTITLE. 8

(D) THE COMMISSION SHALL REVO KE A GAMING LICENSE ISSUED UNDER 9
THIS TITLE HELD BY A PERS ON FOUND TO HAVE VIO LATED § 9–1F–03 OF THIS 10
SUBTITLE, AND THE PERSON IS IN ELIGIBLE IN THE FUTU RE TO HOLD A GAMING 11
LICENSE ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION. 12

9–1F–07. 13

(A) A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROVIDER MAY NOT K NOWINGLY ACCEPT 14
OR PROCESS ANY FINANCIAL TRANSACTIO N IN CONNECTION WITH THE 15
PARTICIPATION OF A PERSON IN ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING. 16

(B) A FINANCIAL TRANSACTIO N PROVIDER SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE 17
CONSTRUCTIVE KNOWLEDGE THAT ALL PERSONS AND INTERNET WEBSITE URLS 18
IDENTIFIED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–1F–04 OF THIS 19
SUBTITLE ARE ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING. 20

9–1F–08. 21

(A) (1) A PLATFORM PROVIDER MA Y NOT RECEIVE OR TRA NSMIT 22
THROUGH ITS SERVICE ANY EXCHANGE OF INFO RMATION THAT IT REAS ONABLY 23
BELIEVES IS OR WILL BE SENT IN CONNECTION WITH T HE PARTICIPATION OF A 24
PERSON IN ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING. 25

(2) A PLATFORM PROVIDER IS DEEMED TO HAVE CONST RUCTIVE 26
KNOWLEDGE THAT ALL P ERSONS AND WEBSITE URLS IDENTIFIED BY THE 27
ATTORNEY GENERAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–1F–04 OF THIS SUBT ITLE ARE 28
ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING. 29

(B) BEFORE HOSTING , FACILITATING, OR TRANSMITTING ANY ONLINE 30
GAMBLING ADVERTISEMENT ON A WEBSITE, A PLATFORM PROVIDER SHALL: 31
8 HOUSE BILL 1226

(1) OBTAIN A CERTIFIED C OPY OF THE ONLINE GA MBLING 1
OPERATOR’S LICENSE OR PERMIT TO OFFER ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE STATE; OR 2

(2) OBTAIN WRITTEN CONFIRMATION FROM THE COMMISSION THAT 3
THE OPERATOR IS LICE NSED OR PERMITTED TO OFFER ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE 4
STATE. 5

9–1F–09. 6

(A) (1) A PLATFORM PROVIDER MAY, ON ITS OWN INITIATIVE, BLOCK THE 7
RECEIPT OR TRANSMISS ION THROUGH ITS SERV ICE ANY EXCHANGE OF 8
INFORMATION THAT IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS OR WILL BE SENT I N VIOLATION 9
OF THIS SUBTITLE. 10

(2) A PLATFORM PROVIDER MA Y NOT BE HELD LIABLE IN TORT TO 11
ANY PERSON FOR BLOCK ING THE RECEIPT OR T RANSMISSION OF INFORMAT ION 12
UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION. 13

(3) (I) THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ACTING 14
THROUGH THE DIVISION, OR A PROSECUTING ATT ORNEY MAY ISSUE A WR ITTEN 15
CEASE AND DESIST ORD ER TO A PLATFORM PRO VIDER DIRECTING THAT IT BLOCK 16
THE RECEIPT OR TRANS MISSION THROUGH ITS SERVICE OF ANY EXCHA NGE OF 17
INFORMATION IN VIOLATION OF THIS SUBTITL E AND TAKE DOWN OR D ISABLE ANY 18
INTERNET WEBSITE COND UCTING OR OFFERING I LLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLI NG TO 19
PERSONS PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE. 20

(II) THE CEASE AND DESIST ORDER SHALL: 21

1. IDENTIFY THE ONLINE GAMBLING INTERNET 22
WEBSITE URL THAT THE PLATFORM PROVIDER MUST DISABLE AND FOR WHICH IT 23
MUST BLOCK THE RECEIPT OR TRANSMISSION OF ANY EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION 24
THROUGH ITS SERVICE; 25

2. STATE THAT THE PLATFORM PROVIDER HAS 30 DAYS 26
AFTER THE DATE ON WH ICH THE ORDER IS REC EIVED TO DISABLE THE ONLINE 27
GAMBLING WEBSITE FROM ACCESS BY INDIVIDU ALS PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE 28
STATE AND BLOCK THE RECEIPT OR TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION THROUGH ITS 29
SERVICE AS REQUIRED IN THE ORDER; AND 30

3. STATE THAT FAILURE T O DISABLE THE ONLINE 31
GAMBLING INTERNET WEBSITE FROM ACCESS BY PERSONS PH YSICALLY LOCATED 32
IN THE STATE AND BLOCK THE R ECEIPT OR TRANSMISSI ON OF INFORMATION 33
HOUSE BILL 1226 9

THROUGH ITS SERVICE WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE ORDER MAY RESULT 1
IN A FINE UNDER § 9–1F–06(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE FOR EACH DAY THAT THE 2
ONLINE GAMBLING INTERNET WEBSITE URL IS NOT DISABLED TO P ERSONS 3
PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE AND FOR EACH RECEIPT OR TRANSMISSION OF 4
INFORMATION THROUGH ITS SERVICE AS REQUIRED IN THE ORDER. 5

(III) A CEASE AND DESIST ORD ER ISSUED UNDER THIS 6
PARAGRAPH MAY BE SERVED ON A PLATFORM PROVIDER BY REGISTERED MAIL OR 7
FIRST–CLASS MAIL AT ANY AD DRESS REGISTERED WIT H THE STATE FOR THE 8
PLATFORM PROVIDER OR AT WHICH THE PLATFORM PROVIDER CO NDUCTS 9
BUSINESS. 10

(IV) A PLATFORM PROVIDER SH ALL TIMELY COMPLY WI TH A 11
CEASE AND DESIST ORDER SERVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS PARAGRAPH. 12

(V) A CEASE AND DESIST ORD ER SERVED UNDER THIS 13
PARAGRAPH: 14

1. IS ADMISSIBLE IN ANY PROCEEDING UNDER THI S 15
SUBTITLE; AND 16

2. CONSTITUTES PRIMA FA CIE EVIDENCE THAT A 17
PLATFORM PROVIDER HA D KNOWLEDGE THAT ILL EGAL ONLINE GAMBLING WAS 18
OCCURRING ON THE ONL INE GAMBLING INTERNET WEBSITE URL IDENTIFIED IN 19
THE ORDER. 20

(VI) A PLATFORM PROVIDER WHOSE PRINCIPAL PLAC E OF 21
BUSINESS IS OUTSIDE THE STATE WHOSE SERVICE FACILITATES THE EXCHANGE OF 22
INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET TO OR FROM P ERSONS PHYSICALLY LOCATED 23
IN THE STATE SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF STATE COURTS FOR 24
ENFORCEMENT UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 25

(B) (1) A FINANCIAL TRANSACTIO N PROVIDER MAY , ON ITS OWN 26
INITIATIVE, BLOCK, PROHIBIT, PREVENT, OR OTHERWISE REFUSE TO HONOR ANY 27
FINANCIAL TRANSACTIO N THAT IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS OR WILL BE IN 28
VIOLATION OF § 9–1F–07 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 29

(2) A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROVIDER MAY NOT BE HELD LIABLE 30
IN TORT TO ANY PERSO N FOR TAKING THE ACT IONS AUTHORIZED UNDE R 31
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION. 32

(C) (1) THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ACTING THROUGH 33
THE DIVISION, OR A PROSECUTING ATT ORNEY MAY ISSUE A WRITTEN CEASE AND 34
10 HOUSE BILL 1226

DESIST ORDER TO ANY APPLICANT, LICENSED ENTITY , FINANCIAL TRANSACTION 1
PROVIDER, GEOLOCATION PROVIDER , GAMING CONTENT SUPPL IER, PROMOTER, 2
CELEBRITY ENDORSER, MEDIA AFFILIATE, OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO DISCONTINUE 3
ITS SUPPORT OF THE O PERATION, CONDUCT, OR PROMOTION OF ILLE GAL ONLINE 4
GAMBLING WITHIN THE STATE. 5

(2) THE CEASE AND DESIST ORDER ISSUED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION 6
SHALL: 7

(I) IDENTIFY THE ONLINE GAMBLING INTERNET WEBSITE URL 8
THAT THE PERSON MUST CEASE, BLOCK, DISCONTINUE, AND PREVENT ANY SUPPORT 9
OF WITH RESPECT TO A CTIVITIES INVOLVING ONLINE GAMBLING WITH IN THE 10
STATE; 11

(II) STATE THAT THE PERSON HAS 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON 12
WHICH THE ORDER IS R ECEIVED TO IMPLEMENT THE DIRECTIVES IN TH E ORDER; 13
AND 14

(III) STATE THAT FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT THE DIRECTIVES SET 15
FORTH IN THE ORDER WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE ORDER MAY RESULT 16
IN A FINE UNDER § 9–1F–06(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE FOR EACH ACT OF SUPPORT IN 17
RELATION TO THE ONLINE GAMBLING INTERNET WEBSITE URL IDENTIFIED IN THE 18
ORDER INVOLVING A PERSON PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE. 19

(3) A CEASE AND DESIST ORD ER ISSUED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION 20
MAY BE SERVED ON THE PERSON BY REGISTERED MAIL OR FIRST –CLASS MAIL AT 21
ANY ADDRESS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE FOR THE PERSON OR AT WHICH THE 22
PERSON CONDUCTS BUSINESS. 23

(4) A PERSON SHALL COMPLY TIMELY WITH A CEASE AND DESIST 24
ORDER SERVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION. 25

(5) A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER UNDER THIS SUBSECTION: 26

(I) IS ADMISSIBLE IN ANY PROCEEDING UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; 27
AND 28

(II) CONSTITUTES PRIMA FA CIE EVIDENCE THAT TH E PERSON 29
HAS KNOWLEDGE THAT I LLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLI NG WAS OCCURRING ON THE 30
ONLINE GAMBLING INTERNET WEBSITE URL IDENTIFIED IN THE ORDER. 31

(6) A PERSON WHOSE PRINCIP AL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS OUTSIDE 32
THE STATE THAT SUPPORTS ONLINE GAMBLING WITHIN OR INVOLVING ANY PERSON 33
HOUSE BILL 1226 11

PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE 1
COURTS FOR ENFORCEMENT UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 2

(D) THE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION MAY CONSULT WITH THE ATTORNEY 3
GENERAL ON THE ISSUAN CE OF CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS UNDER SUBSECTIONS 4
(A)(3) AND (C) OF THIS SECTION. 5

9–1F–10. 6

(A) (1) IN ADDITION TO ANY OT HER REMEDY UNDER CUR RENT LAW, ON 7
APPLICATION BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR A PROSECUT ING ATTORNEY AND 8
REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R PROCEEDINGS HAVE B EEN INITIATED UNDER THIS 9
SUBTITLE, A COURT MAY ISSUE AN Y RELIEF THAT IT DEE MS APPROPRIATE TO 10
PREVENT AND RESTRAIN ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED BY THIS SUBTITLE. 11

(2) THE RELIEF MAY INCLUDE A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER, A 12
PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION, OR AN INJUNCTION AGAINST ANY PERSON TO PREVENT 13
OR RESTRAIN ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING AND ANY RELATED TRANSACT IONS OR 14
ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE REMOVA L OF ANY ILLEGAL ONL INE GAMBLING 15
INTERNET WEBSITE, THE FREEZING OF BANK OR CREDIT ACCOUNTS A SSOCIATED 16
WITH THE INTERNET WEBSITE OR THE ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITY, AND 17
THE REMOVAL OF A PERSON’S ACCESS TO SUCH INTERNET WEBSITES OR ACCOUNTS 18
BY A PERSON WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITY. 19

(3) IN AN ACTION SEEKING INJUNCTIVE RELIEF , A VIOLATION OF 20
THIS SUBTITLE IS CONCLUSIVELY DETERMINED TO BE AN IRREPARABLE HARM. 21

(B) (1) IN ADDITION TO THE R EMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER SUBSECTION 22
(A) OF THIS SECTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY MAY 23
SEEK AN EX PARTE INJUNCTION TO: 24

(I) COMPEL A PLATFORM PR OVIDER TO REMOVE OR DISABLE 25
ACCESS TO AN INTERNET WEBSITE VIOL ATING THIS SUBTITLE OR A HY PERTEXT 26
LINK TO A WEBSITE VIOLATING THIS SUBTITLE; 27

(II) ENJOIN A FINANCIAL T RANSACTION PROVIDER FROM 28
PROCESSING TRANSACTIONS FOR THE ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING OPERATOR; AND 29

(III) COMPEL A PERSON TO DISCONTINUE SUPPORTING ILLEGAL 30
ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE STATE. 31

12 HOUSE BILL 1226

(2) A HEARING ON THE EX PARTE INJUNCTION MUST BE HELD WITHIN 1
30 DAYS AFTER IT IS FIL ED, AND AFTER THE HEARIN G THE COURT MAY CONV ERT 2
THE INJUNCTION TO A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION. 3

(C) (1) THE RELIEF GRANTED UN DER SUBSECTION (A) OR (B) OF THIS 4
SECTION AGAINST A PL ATFORM PROVIDER THAT IS NOT OTHERWISE ENG AGED IN 5
ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING SHALL: 6

(I) BE LIMITED TO THE REMOVAL OF OR DISABLING OF ACCESS 7
TO THE INTERNET WEBSITE VIOLATING THIS SUBTITLE, OR A HYPERTEXT LINK TO 8
AN INTERNET WEBSITE VIOL ATING THIS SUBTITLE , THAT IS STORED ON A 9
COMPUTER SERVER THAT THE PLATFORM PROVIDER CONTROLS OR OPERATES; 10

(II) SPECIFY THE INTERNET WEBSITE TO W HICH IT APPLIES ; 11
AND 12

(III) SPECIFY THE INTERNET WEBSITE OR H YPERTEXT LINK TO 13
BE REMOVED OR ACCESS TO WHICH IS TO BE DISABLED. 14

(2) A VIOLATION OF AN ORDE R ENTERED AGAINST A PLATFORM 15
PROVIDER IS PUNISHAB LE BY A FINE OF $50,000 FOR A FIRST VIOLATIO N AND 16
$100,000 FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION FOR EACH D AY THAT THE ILLEGAL 17
GAMING ACTIVITY REMAINS ACCESSIBLE ON THE INTERNET WEBSITE TO P ERSONS 18
PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE. 19

(D) (1) THE RELIEF GRANTED UN DER SUBSECTION (A) OR (B) OF THIS 20
SECTION AGAINST A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROVIDER OR OTHER PERSON THAT 21
SUPPORTS THE OPERATI ON, CONDUCT, OR PROMOTION OF ILLE GAL ONLINE 22
GAMBLING AND IS NOT OTHERWISE ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING SHALL: 23

(I) BE LIMITED TO THE SU SPENSION OF PROCESSI NG 24
TRANSACTIONS FOR THE ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBL ING OPERATOR WITH PE RSONS 25
PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE; 26

(II) BE LIMITED TO CEASING SUPPORT OF T HE OPERATION , 27
CONDUCT, OR PROMOTION OF ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE STATE; AND 28

(III) SPECIFY THE INTERNET WEBSITE TO WHICH IT APPLIES. 29

(2) (I) A VIOLATION OF AN ORDER ENTERED AGAINST A FINANCIAL 30
TRANSACTION PROVIDER OR OTHER PE RSON THAT SUPPORTS T HE OPERATION , 31
CONDUCT, OR PROMOTION OF ILLE GAL ONLINE GAMBLING IS PUNISHABLE BY A 32
HOUSE BILL 1226 13

FINE OF $50,000 FOR A FIRST VIOLATIO N AND $100,000 FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT 1
VIOLATION. 2

(II) EACH ILLEGAL ONLINE G AMBLING TRANSACTION THAT IS 3
PROCESSED AND EACH ACT OF SUPPORT OF ILLEGAL ONLINE GA MBLING 4
CONSTITUTES A SEPARATE VIOLATION. 5

9–1F–11. 6

THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY ENTER INT O AGREEMENTS 7
WITH THE COMMISSION OR ANY FED ERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAW ENFORCE MENT 8
AGENCY FOR THE EXCHA NGE AND RELEASE OF INVESTIGA TORY AND OTHER 9
INFORMATION IF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DETERMINES THAT THE 10
RELEASE OF THE INFOR MATION WILL BE CONSI STENT WITH THE POLIC Y OF THE 11
STATE AS REFLECTED IN THIS SUBTITLE. 12

9–1F–12. 13

THE COMMISSION MAY DENY , REVOKE, SUSPEND, CONDITION, OR LIMIT 14
LICENSES OR PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH 15
THIS SUBTITLE. 16

9–1F–13. 17

A VIOLATION OF THIS SUBTITLE IS: 18

(1) AN UNFAIR , ABUSIVE, OR DECEPTIVE TRADE P RACTICE WITHIN 19
THE MEANING OF TITLE 13 OF THE COMMERCIAL LAW ARTICLE; AND 20

(2) SUBJECT TO THE ENFOR CEMENT AND PENALTY P ROVISIONS 21
CONTAINED IN TITLE 13 OF THE COMMERCIAL LAW ARTICLE. 22

9–1F–14. 23

THE DIVISION SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ADOPT RULES, REGULATIONS, 24
AND STANDARDS TO FUR THER THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE, INCLUDING THE 25
PREVENTION AND RESTRAINT OF THE CONDUCT AND OFFERING OF ILLEGAL ONLINE 26
GAMBLING TO PERSONS PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE. 27

9–1F–15. 28

14 HOUSE BILL 1226

THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, AND 1
THE COURT SHALL CONSTRUE LIBERALLY THIS SUBTITLE RELATING TO GAMBLING 2
AND BETTING TO PREVENT THE ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED. 3

9–1F–16. 4

THIS SUBTITLE MAY BE CITED AS THE MARYLAND ILLEGAL ONLINE 5
GAMBLING ENFORCEMENT ACT. 6

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take ef fect 7
October 1, 2026. 8

Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.