Maryland Illegal Online Gambling Enforcement Act

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0652*

SENATE BILL 652
C7, E1, E2 6lr2128
CF 6lr2429
By: Senators Waldstreicher and West
Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2026
Assigned to: Budget and Taxation

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Maryland Illegal Online Gambling Enforcement Act 2

FOR the purpose of prohibiting certain persons from operating, offer ing, conduct ing, 3
engaging in, or promot ing illegal online gambling in the State; prohibiting certain 4
persons from knowingly supporting, directly or indirectly, the operation, conduct, or 5
promotion of illegal online gambling in the State; authorizing the Attorney General 6
and certain prosecuting attorneys to take certain actions, issue c ertain orders, and 7
seek certain relief in order to enforce this Act; making a violation of this Act an 8
unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice under the Maryland Consumer 9
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
Section 13–301(14)(xlix) 23
Annotated Code of Maryland 24
(2025 Replacement Volume) 25

BY adding to 26
Article – State Government 27
2 SENATE BILL 652

Section 9–1F–01 through 9–1F–16 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 1F. Illegal 1
Online Gambling” 2
Annotated Code of Maryland 3
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 4

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 5
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 6

Article – Commercial Law 7

13–301. 8

Unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices include any: 9

(14) Violation of a provision of: 10

(xlvii) Title 14, Subtitle 50 of this article; [or] 11

(xlviii) Section 13–411.1(c)(2) of the Transportation Article; or 12

(XLIX) TITLE 9, SUBTITLE 1F OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 13
ARTICLE; OR 14

Article – State Government 15

SUBTITLE 1F. ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING. 16

9–1F–01. 17

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 18
INDICATED. 19

(B) “COMMISSION” MEANS THE STATE LOTTERY AND GAMING CONTROL 20
COMMISSION. 21

(C) “DIVISION” MEANS THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION OF THE 22
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. 23

(D) “FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROVIDER” MEANS ANY PERSON THA T 24
FACILITATES OR PARTI CIPATES IN ANY FINAN CIAL TRANSACTION BET WEEN AN 25
ONLINE GAMBLING PLAY ER AND AN ONLINE GAM BLING OPERATOR, INCLUDING A 26
PAYMENT PROCESSOR , CREDIT CARD ISSUER , FINANCIAL INSTITUTIO N, MONEY 27
TRANSMITTING BUSINESS, OR PAYMENT NETWORK U TILIZED TO EFFECT A CREDIT 28
CARD TRANSACTION , A DEBIT CARD TRANSACTI ON, AN ELECTRONIC FUND 29
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TRANSFER OR A MONEY TRANSMITTING SERVICE, OR ANY OTHER PARTICIPANT IN A 1
DESIGNATED PAYMENT SYSTEM. 2

(E) “ILLEGAL” MEANS NOT EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZED BY APPLICABLE LAW. 3

(F) “ONLINE GAMBLING ” MEANS THE BUSINESS O F OFFERING OR 4
ACCEPTING WAGERS , THROUGH AN ONLINE GAMI NG SYSTEM ON A COMPU TER, 5
MOBILE DEVICE , TABLET, OR ANY OTHER INTERAC TIVE DEVICE , ON ANY GAME , 6
CONTEST, LOTTERY, PROMOTION, OR CONTRIVANCE THERE OF, INCLUDING TABLE 7
GAMES, SLOT MACHINES, VIDEO POKER, SWEEPSTAKES GAMES, GAMES OF CHANCE, 8
AND ANY OTHER GAME TYPICALLY OFFERED IN A CASINO. 9

(G) (1) “ONLINE GAMBLING OPERA TOR” MEANS A PERSON WHO O WNS, 10
MAINTAINS, OR OPERATES AN INTERNET WEBSITE THAT IS USED FOR ILLEGAL 11
ONLINE GAMBLING. 12

(2) “ONLINE GAMBLING OPERA TOR” DOES NOT INCLUDE A P ERSON 13
LICENSED TO CONDUCT ONLINE SPORTS WAGERI NG OR FANTASY COMPET ITIONS 14
UNDER SUBTITLES 1D AND 1E OF THIS TITLE. 15

(H) “PLATFORM PROVIDER” MEANS ANY PERSON THAT: 16

(1) STORES OR HOSTS CONT ENT, FILES, DATA, AND OTHER 17
INFORMATION ON A WEB SERVER; AND 18

(2) MAKES THE CONTENT , FILES, DATA, OR OTHER INFORMATION 19
ACCESSIBLE ON AN INTERNET WEBSITE VIA A COMPUTER, MOBILE DEVICE, TABLET, 20
OR OTHER INTERACTIVE DEVICE. 21

(I) “SWEEPSTAKES GAMES ” MEANS A GAME , CONTEST, OR PROMOTION 22
THAT: 23

(1) UTILIZES A DUAL –CURRENCY SYST EM OF PAYMENT ALLOWI NG 24
THE PLAYER TO EXCHANGE THE CURRENCY FOR ANY PRIZE, AWARD, CASH OR CASH 25
EQUIVALENTS, OR CHANCE TO WIN ANY PRIZE, AWARD, CASH OR CASH 26
EQUIVALENTS; AND 27

(2) SIMULATES ANY FORM OF GAMBLING, INCLUDING: 28

(I) CASINO–STYLE GAMES, INCLUDING SLOT MACHINES, VIDEO 29
POKER, AND TABLE GAMES SUCH AS BLACKJACK, ROULETTE, CRAPS, AND POKER; 30

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(II) LOTTERY GAMES INCLUD ING DRAW GAMES , INSTANT WIN 1
GAMES, KENO, AND BINGO; AND 2

(III) SPORTS WAGERING. 3

(J) “WAGER” MEANS THE PROVISION OF CONSIDE RATION, INCLUDING 4
MONEY OR ANYTHING OF VALUE, IN EXCHANGE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY ANY 5
GAME, CONTEST, LOTTERY, OR CONTRIVANCE AND RECEIVE MONEY OR SOMETHING 6
OF VALUE IN THE EVENT OF A CERTAIN OUTCOME, WHICH OUTCOME IS DETERMINED 7
BY SKILL, CHANCE, OR ELEMENTS OF SKILL AND CHANCE. 8

9–1F–02. 9

THIS SUBTITLE DOES NOT APPLY TO A PERSON LICENSED TO OFFER ONLINE 10
SPORTS WAGERING OR FANTASY COMPETITIONS UNDER SUBTITLES 1D AND 1E OF 11
THIS TITLE. 12

9–1F–03. 13

A PERSON MAY NOT: 14

(1) OPERATE, OFFER, CONDUCT, ENGAGE IN, OR PROMOTE ILLEGAL 15
ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE STATE; OR 16

(2) KNOWINGLY SUPPORT , DIRECTLY OR INDIRECT LY, THE 17
OPERATION, CONDUCT, OR PROMOTION OF ILLE GAL ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE 18
STATE. 19

9–1F–04. 20

(A) (1) THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ACTING THROUGH 21
THE DIVISION, OR A PROSECUTING ATT ORNEY MAY ISSUE A WRITTEN CEASE AND 22
DESIST ORDER TO ANY PERSON THAT VIOLATES § 9–1F–03(1) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 23

(2) A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL: 24

(I) SPECIFY THE ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITY; 25

(II) STATE THAT THE PERSON HAS 10 DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON 26
WHICH THE ORDER IS RECEIVED TO BLOCK THE ABILITY OF INDIVIDUALS 27
PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE TO ACCESS THE ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING 28
ACTIVITY; AND 29

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(III) STATE THAT FAILURE T O BLOCK ACCESS TO TH E ILLEGAL 1
ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITY WITHIN 10 DAYS MAY RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR A 2
FINE OR BOTH, AS PROVIDED UNDER § 9–1F–06(A)(1) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 3

(B) (1) A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY WHO IS NOT THE ATTORNEY 4
GENERAL WHO ISSUES A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS 5
SECTION SHALL FORWARD A COPY OF THE ORDER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. 6

(2) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL MAINTAIN: 7

(I) A DEPOSITORY TO C OLLECT, MAINTAIN, AND RETAIN EACH 8
CEASE AND DESIST ORDER ISSUED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION; AND 9

(II) A LIST , PUBLICLY AVAILABLE O N THE OFFICE OF THE 10
ATTORNEY GENERAL’S INTERNET WEBSITE, THAT IDENTIFIES THE NAME OF EACH 11
ONLINE GAMBLING OPERATOR AND THE ASSOCIATED ONLINE GAMBLING INTERNET 12
WEBSITE URL ADDRESS THAT HAS BEEN ISSUED A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER. 13

(3) THE FAILURE OF A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY OR THE ATTORNEY 14
GENERAL TO COMPLY WIT H THIS SUBSECTION IS NOT A DEFENSE TO ANY ACT ION 15
COMMENCED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 16

(C) (1) A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER ISSUED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF 17
THIS SECTION SHALL BE SERVED: 18

(I) IN COMPLIANCE WITH MARYLAND RULES 2–121 AND 2–124; 19
OR 20

(II) BY PUBLICATION IN COMPL IANCE WITH MARYLAND RULE 21
2–122(A)(2). 22

(2) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS NOT REQUIR ED TO MAKE 23
REASONABLE EFFORTS T O LOCATE THE ONLINE GAMBLING OPERATOR BE FORE 24
SERVING THE CEASE AND DESIST ORDER BY PUBLICATION. 25

(D) A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER SERVED UNDER SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS 26
SECTION: 27

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

(2) CONSTITUTES PRIMA FA CIE EVIDENCE THAT TH E PERSON HAS 29
KNOWLEDGE THAT ILLEG AL ONLINE GAMBLING W AS OCCURRING ON THE ONLINE 30
GAMBLING OPERATOR’S INTERNET WEBSITE. 31
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(E) A PERSON OUTSIDE THE STATE WHO OWNS, MAINTAINS, OR OPERATES 1
AN INTERNET WEBSITE THAT TRANSMI TS INFORMATION THROU GH OR WITH A 2
PLATFORM PROVIDER AN D WHO KNOWS OR SHOUL D HAVE KNOWN THAT THE 3
INFORMATION IS BROAD CAST WITHIN THE STATE SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION 4
OF STATE COURTS FOR ENFORCEMENT UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 5

(F) BEFORE ISSUING A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER UNDER SUBSECTION (A) 6
OF THIS SECTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY PROVIDE REASONABLE NOTICE TO 7
THE COMMISSION TO ALLOW T HE COMMISSION TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT WILL 8
JOIN THE ORDER. 9

9–1F–05. 10

WHENEVER THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ACTING THROUGH THE DIVISION, OR 11
A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY HAS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT A PERSON IS VIOLATING 12
§ 9–1F–03 OF THIS SUBTITLE OR TAKING ANY OTHER ACTION IN VIOLATION OF THIS 13
SUBTITLE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY MAY BRING AN 14
ACTION IN THE NAME OF THE STATE TO RESTRAIN BY TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT 15
INJUNCTION THE CONDUCT GIVING RISE TO THE VIOLATION. 16

9–1F–06. 17

(A) (1) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES § 9–1F–03(1) OF THIS SUBTITLE IS 18
GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND ON CONVICTION IS SUBJECT TO: 19

(I) FOR A FIRST VIOLATION, IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING 3 20
YEARS OR A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $50,000 OR BOTH; AND 21

(II) FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION , IMPRISONMENT NO T 22
EXCEEDING 3 YEARS OR A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100,000 OR BOTH. 23

(2) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES § 9–1F–03(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE IS 24
SUBJECT TO: 25

(I) FOR A FIRST VIOLATIO N, A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $25,000; 26
AND 27

(II) FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION, A FINE NOT 28
EXCEEDING $50,000. 29

(B) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION: 30

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

(2) EACH INDIVIDUAL PROMOTION OF ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING IN 3
THE STATE CONSTITUTES A SEPARATE VIOLATION. 4

(C) A COURT SHALL ORDER TH E FORFEITURE OF ANY PROFITS, GAINS, 5
GROSS RECEIPTS, OR OTHER BENEFITS EARNED BY A PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH 6
A VIOLATION OF THIS SUBTITLE. 7

(D) THE COMMISSION SHALL REVO KE A GAMING LICENSE ISSUED UNDER 8
THIS TITLE HELD BY A PERSON FOUND TO HAVE VIOLATED § 9–1F–03 OF THIS 9
SUBTITLE, AND THE PERSON IS IN ELIGIBLE IN THE FUTU RE TO HOLD A GAMING 10
LICENSE ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION. 11

9–1F–07. 12

(A) A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROVIDER MAY NOT K NOWINGLY ACCEPT 13
OR PROCESS ANY FINAN CIAL TRANSACTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE 14
PARTICIPATION OF A PERSON IN ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING. 15

(B) A FINANCIAL TRANSACTIO N PROVIDER SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE 16
CONSTRUCTIVE KNOWLEDGE THAT ALL PERSONS AND INTERNET WEBSITE URLS 17
IDENTIFIED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–1F–04 OF THIS 18
SUBTITLE ARE ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING. 19

9–1F–08. 20

(A) (1) A PLATFORM PROVIDER MA Y NOT RECEIVE OR TRA NSMIT 21
THROUGH ITS SERVICE ANY EXCHANGE OF INFO RMATION THAT IT REAS ONABLY 22
BELIEVES IS OR WILL BE SENT IN CONNECTIO N WITH THE PARTICIPA TION OF A 23
PERSON IN ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING. 24

(2) A PLATFORM PROVIDER IS DEEMED TO HAVE CONST RUCTIVE 25
KNOWLEDGE THAT ALL P ERSONS AND WEBSITE URLS IDENTIFIED BY THE 26
ATTORNEY GENERAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–1F–04 OF THIS SUBTITLE ARE 27
ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING. 28

(B) BEFORE HOSTING, FACILITATING, OR TRANSMITTING ANY ONLINE 29
GAMBLING ADVERTISEMENT ON A WEBSITE, A PLATFORM PROVIDER SHALL: 30

(1) OBTAIN A CERTIFIED C OPY OF THE ONLINE GA MBLING 31
OPERATOR’S LICENSE OR PERMIT TO OFFER ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE STATE; OR 32
8 SENATE BILL 652

(2) OBTAIN WRITTEN CONFIRMATION FROM THE COMMISSION THAT 1
THE OPERATOR IS LICE NSED OR PERMITTED TO OFFER ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE 2
STATE. 3

9–1F–09. 4

(A) (1) A PLATFORM PROVIDER MAY, ON ITS OWN INITIATIVE, BLOCK THE 5
RECEIPT OR TRANSMISS ION THROUGH ITS SERV ICE ANY EXCHANGE OF 6
INFORMATION THAT IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS OR WILL BE SENT I N VIOLATION 7
OF THIS SUBTITLE. 8

(2) A PLATFORM PROVIDER MAY NOT BE HELD LIABLE IN TORT TO 9
ANY PERSON FOR BLOCKING THE RECEIPT OR TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION 10
UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION. 11

(3) (I) THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ACTING 12
THROUGH THE DIVISION, OR A PROSECUTING ATT ORNEY MAY ISSUE A WRITTEN 13
CEASE AND DESIST ORDER TO A PLATFORM PROVID ER DIRECTING THAT IT BLOCK 14
THE RECEIPT OR TRANS MISSION THROUGH ITS SERVICE OF ANY EXCHANGE OF 15
INFORMATION IN VIOLATION OF THIS SUBTITL E AND TAKE DOWN OR D ISABLE ANY 16
INTERNET WEBSITE CONDUCTING O R OFFERING ILLEGAL O NLINE GAMBLING TO 17
PERSONS PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE. 18

(II) THE CEASE AND DESIST ORDER SHALL: 19

1. IDENTIFY THE ONLINE GAMBLING INTERNET 20
WEBSITE URL THAT THE PLATFORM PROVIDER MUST DISABLE AND FOR WHICH IT 21
MUST BLOCK THE RECEIPT OR TRANSMISSION OF ANY EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION 22
THROUGH ITS SERVICE; 23

2. STATE THAT THE PLATFORM PROVIDER HAS 30 DAYS 24
AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE ORDER IS RECEIVED TO DISAB LE THE ONLINE 25
GAMBLING WEBSITE FROM ACCESS BY IN DIVIDUALS PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE 26
STATE AND BLOCK THE RECEIPT OR TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION THROUGH ITS 27
SERVICE AS REQUIRED IN THE ORDER; AND 28

3. STATE THAT FAILURE T O DISABLE THE ONLINE 29
GAMBLING INTERNET WEBSITE FROM ACCESS BY PERSONS PHYSICALLY LOCATED 30
IN THE STATE AND BLOCK THE R ECEIPT OR TRANSMISSI ON OF INFORMATION 31
THROUGH ITS SERVICE WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE ORDER MAY RESULT 32
IN A FINE UNDER § 9–1F–06(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE FOR EACH DAY THAT T HE 33
ONLINE GAMBLING INTERNET WEBSITE URL IS NOT DISABLED TO P ERSONS 34
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PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE AND FOR EACH RECEIPT OR TRANSMISSION OF 1
INFORMATION THROUGH ITS SERVICE AS REQUIRED IN THE ORDER. 2

(III) A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER ISSUED UNDER THIS 3
PARAGRAPH MAY BE SERVED ON A PLATFORM PROVIDER BY REGISTERED MAIL OR 4
FIRST–CLASS MAIL AT ANY AD DRESS REGISTERED WIT H THE STATE FOR THE 5
PLATFORM PROVIDER OR AT WHICH THE PLATFORM PROVIDE R CONDUCTS 6
BUSINESS. 7

(IV) A PLATFORM PROVIDER SH ALL TIMELY COMPLY WI TH A 8
CEASE AND DESIST ORDER SERVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS PARAGRAPH. 9

(V) A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER SERVED UNDER THIS 10
PARAGRAPH: 11

1. IS ADMISSIBLE IN ANY PROCEEDING UNDER THI S 12
SUBTITLE; AND 13

2. CONSTITUTES PRIMA FA CIE EVIDENC E THAT A 14
PLATFORM PROVIDER HA D KNOWLEDGE THAT ILL EGAL ONLINE GAMBLING WAS 15
OCCURRING ON THE ONL INE GAMBLING INTERNET WEBSITE URL IDENTIFIED IN 16
THE ORDER. 17

(VI) A PLATFORM PROVIDER WH OSE PRINCIPAL PLACE OF 18
BUSINESS IS OUTSIDE THE STATE WHOSE SERVICE FACILITATES THE EXCHANGE OF 19
INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET TO OR FROM P ERSONS PHYSICALLY LOCATED 20
IN THE STATE SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF STATE COURTS FOR 21
ENFORCEMENT UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 22

(B) (1) A FINANCIAL TRANSACTIO N PROVIDER MAY , ON ITS OWN 23
INITIATIVE, BLOCK, PROHIBIT, PREVENT, OR OTHERWISE REFUSE TO HONOR ANY 24
FINANCIAL TRANSACTIO N THAT IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS OR WILL BE IN 25
VIOLATION OF § 9–1F–07 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 26

(2) A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROVIDER MAY NOT BE HELD LIABLE 27
IN TORT TO ANY PERSO N FOR TAKING THE ACTIONS A UTHORIZED UNDER 28
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION. 29

(C) (1) THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ACTING THROUGH 30
THE DIVISION, OR A PROSECUTING ATT ORNEY MAY ISSUE A WRITTEN CEASE AND 31
DESIST ORDER TO ANY APPLICANT , LICENSED ENTITY , FINANCIAL TRANSACTION 32
PROVIDER, GEOLOCATION PROVIDER , GAMING CONTENT SUPPL IER, PROMOTER, 33
CELEBRITY ENDORSER, MEDIA AFFILIATE, OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO DISCONTINUE 34
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ITS SUPPORT OF THE O PERATION, CONDUCT, OR PROMOTION OF ILLE GAL ONLINE 1
GAMBLING WITHIN THE STATE. 2

(2) THE CEASE AND DESIST ORDER ISSUED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION 3
SHALL: 4

(I) IDENTIFY THE ONLINE GAMBLING INTERNET WEBSITE URL 5
THAT THE PERSON MUST CEASE, BLOCK, DISCONTINUE, AND PREVENT ANY SUPPORT 6
OF WITH RESPECT TO ACTI VITIES INVOLVING ONL INE GAMBLING WITHIN THE 7
STATE; 8

(II) STATE THAT THE PERSON HAS 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON 9
WHICH THE ORDER IS RECEIVED TO IMPLE MENT THE DIRECTIVES I N THE ORDER; 10
AND 11

(III) STATE THAT FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT THE DIRECTIVES SET 12
FORTH IN THE ORDER WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE ORDER MAY RESULT 13
IN A FINE UNDER § 9–1F–06(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE FOR EACH ACT OF SUPPORT IN 14
RELATION TO THE ONLINE GAMBLING INTERNET WEBSITE URL IDENTIFIED IN THE 15
ORDER INVOLVING A PERSON PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE. 16

(3) A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER ISSUED UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N 17
MAY BE SERVED ON THE PERSON BY REGISTE RED MAIL OR FIRST –CLASS MAIL AT 18
ANY ADDRESS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE FOR THE PERSON OR AT WHICH THE 19
PERSON CONDUCTS BUSINESS. 20

(4) A PERSON SHALL COMPLY TIMELY WITH A CEASE AND DES IST 21
ORDER SERVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION. 22

(5) A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER UNDER THIS SUBSECTION: 23

(I) IS ADMISSIBLE IN ANY PROCEEDING UNDER THIS SUBTITLE; 24
AND 25

(II) CONSTITUTES PRIMA FA CIE EVIDENCE THAT TH E PERSON 26
HAS KNOWLEDGE THAT I LLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLI NG WAS OCCURRING ON THE 27
ONLINE GAMBLING INTERNET WEBSITE URL IDENTIFIED IN THE ORDER. 28

(6) A PERSON WHOSE PRINCIP AL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS OUTSIDE 29
THE STATE THAT SUPPORTS ONLINE GAMBLING WITHIN OR INVOLVING ANY PERSON 30
PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE 31
COURTS FOR ENFORCEMENT UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 32

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(D) THE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION MAY CONSULT WITH THE ATTORNEY 1
GENERAL ON THE ISSUANCE OF CEASE AN D DESIST ORDERS UNDER SUBSECTIONS 2
(A)(3) AND (C) OF THIS SECTION. 3

9–1F–10. 4

(A) (1) IN ADDITION TO ANY OT HER REMEDY UNDER CURRENT LAW, ON 5
APPLICATION BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR A PROSECUT ING ATTORNEY AND 6
REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R PROCEEDINGS HAVE B EEN INITIATED UNDER THIS 7
SUBTITLE, A COURT MAY ISSUE AN Y RELIEF THAT IT DEE MS APPROPRIATE TO 8
PREVENT AND RESTRAIN ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED BY THIS SUBTITLE. 9

(2) THE RELIEF MAY INCLUDE A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER, A 10
PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION, OR AN INJUNCTION AGAINST ANY PERSON TO PREVENT 11
OR RESTRAIN ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING AND ANY RELATED TRANSACT IONS OR 12
ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE REMOVA L OF ANY ILLEGAL ONL INE GAMBLING 13
INTERNET WEBSITE, THE FREEZING OF BANK OR CREDIT ACCOUNTS A SSOCIATED 14
WITH THE INTERNET WEBSITE OR THE ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITY, AND 15
THE REMOVAL OF A PERSON’S ACCESS TO SUCH INTERNET WEBSITES OR ACCOUNTS 16
BY A PERSON WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING ACTIVITY. 17

(3) IN AN ACTION SEEKING INJUNCTIVE RELIEF , A VIOLATION OF 18
THIS SUBTITLE IS CONCLUSIVELY DETERMINED TO BE AN IRREPARABLE HARM. 19

(B) (1) IN ADDITION TO THE RE MEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER SUBSECTION 20
(A) OF THIS SECTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY MAY 21
SEEK AN EX PARTE INJUNCTION TO: 22

(I) COMPEL A PLATFORM PR OVIDER TO REMOVE OR DISABLE 23
ACCESS TO A N INTERNET WEBSITE VIOLATING TH IS SUBTITLE OR A HYP ERTEXT 24
LINK TO A WEBSITE VIOLATING THIS SUBTITLE; 25

(II) ENJOIN A FINANCIAL T RANSACTION PROVIDER FROM 26
PROCESSING TRANSACTIONS FOR THE ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING OPERATOR; AND 27

(III) COMPEL A PERSON TO DISCONTINUE SUPPORTING ILLEGAL 28
ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE STATE. 29

(2) A HEARING ON THE EX PARTE INJUNCTION MUST BE HELD WITHIN 30
30 DAYS AFTER IT IS FILED , AND AFTER THE HEARING THE COURT MA Y CONVERT 31
THE INJUNCTION TO A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION. 32

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(C) (1) THE R ELIEF GRANTED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OR (B) OF THIS 1
SECTION AGAINST A PLATFORM PROVIDER TH AT IS NOT OTHERWISE ENGAGED IN 2
ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING SHALL: 3

(I) BE LIMITED TO THE REMOVAL OF OR DISABLING OF ACCESS 4
TO THE INTERNET WEBSITE VIOLATING THIS SUBTITLE, OR A HYPERTEXT LINK TO 5
AN INTERNET WEBSITE VIOLATING TH IS SUBTITL E, THAT IS STORED ON A 6
COMPUTER SERVER THAT THE PLATFORM PROVIDER CONTROLS OR OPERATES; 7

(II) SPECIFY THE INTERNET WEBSITE TO WHICH IT APPLIES; 8
AND 9

(III) SPECIFY THE INTERNET WEBSITE OR HYPERTEXT LINK TO 10
BE REMOVED OR ACCESS TO WHICH IS TO BE DISABLED. 11

(2) A VIOLATION OF AN ORDE R ENTERED AGAINST A PLATFORM 12
PROVIDER IS PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF $50,000 FOR A FIRST VIOLATIO N AND 13
$100,000 FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION FOR EACH D AY THAT THE ILLEGAL 14
GAMING ACTIVITY REMAINS ACCESSIBLE ON TH E INTERNET WEBSITE TO PERSONS 15
PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE. 16

(D) (1) THE R ELIEF GRANTED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OR (B) OF THIS 17
SECTION AGAINST A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROVIDER OR OTHER PERSON THAT 18
SUPPORTS THE OPERATI ON, CONDUCT, OR PROMOTION OF ILLEGAL ONLINE 19
GAMBLING AND IS NOT OTHERWISE ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING SHALL: 20

(I) BE LIMITED TO THE SU SPENSION OF PROCESSI NG 21
TRANSACTIONS FOR THE ILLEG AL ONLINE GAM BLING OPERATOR WITH PE RSONS 22
PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE; 23

(II) BE LIMITED TO CEASIN G SUPPORT OF THE OPE RATION, 24
CONDUCT, OR PROMOTION OF ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE STATE; AND 25

(III) SPECIFY THE INTERNET WEBSITE TO WHICH IT APPLIES. 26

(2) (I) A VIOLATION OF AN ORDER ENTERED AGAINST A FINANCIAL 27
TRANSACTION PROVIDER OR OTHER PERSON THAT SUPPORTS THE OPERATI ON, 28
CONDUCT, OR PROMOTION OF ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBL ING IS PUNISHABLE BY A 29
FINE OF $50,000 FOR A FIRST VIOLATIO N AND $100,000 FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT 30
VIOLATION. 31

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(II) EACH ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING TRAN SACTION THAT IS 1
PROCESSED AND EACH A CT OF SUPPORT OF ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMBLING 2
CONSTITUTES A SEPARATE VIOLATION. 3

9–1F–11. 4

THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY ENTER INT O AGREEMENTS 5
WITH THE COMMISSION OR ANY FED ERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAW ENFORCE MENT 6
AGENCY FOR THE EXCHA NGE AND RELEASE OF I NVESTIGATORY AND OTH ER 7
INFORMATION IF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DETERMINES THAT THE 8
RELEASE OF THE INFORMATION WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE POLICY OF THE 9
STATE AS REFLECTED IN THIS SUBTITLE. 10

9–1F–12. 11

THE COMMISSION MAY DENY , REVOKE, SUSPEND, CONDITION, OR LIMIT 12
LICENSES OR PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH 13
THIS SUBTITLE. 14

9–1F–13. 15

A VIOLATION OF THIS SUBTITLE IS: 16

(1) AN UNFAIR , ABUSIVE, OR DECEPTIVE TRADE P RACTICE WITHIN 17
THE MEANING OF TITLE 13 OF THE COMMERCIAL LAW ARTICLE; AND 18

(2) SUBJECT TO THE ENFORCEMENT A ND PENALTY PROVISION S 19
CONTAINED IN TITLE 13 OF THE COMMERCIAL LAW ARTICLE. 20

9–1F–14. 21

THE DIVISION SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ADOPT RULES, REGULATIONS, 22
AND STANDARDS TO FUR THER THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE, INCLUDING THE 23
PREVENTION AND RESTRAINT OF THE CONDUCT AND OFFERING OF ILLEGAL ONLINE 24
GAMBLING TO PERSONS PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE STATE. 25

9–1F–15. 26

THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, AND 27
THE COURT SHALL CONSTRUE LIBERALLY THIS SUBTITLE RELATING TO GAMBLING 28
AND BETTING TO PREVENT THE ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED. 29

9–1F–16. 30
14 SENATE BILL 652

THIS SUBTITLE MAY BE CITED AS THE MARYLAND ILLEGAL ONLINE 1
GAMBLING ENFORCEMENT ACT. 2

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 3
October 1, 2026. 4