Baltimore Files Lawsuit Against Six Sweepstakes Casino Operators

^{Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said the lawsuit aims to stop illegal sweepstakes casino operations from targeting city residents. (Photo: Kim Hairston / The Baltimore Sun via ZUMA Press Wire)}

The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore have filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City against six major sweepstakes casino operators. The city is arguing that the companies have violated Baltimore’s Consumer Protection Ordinance by offering illegal online gambling in the city.

The lawsuit targets the operators of McLuck, Pulsz Casino, Stake.us, High 5 Games, and Fortune Coins, as well as VGW Holdings, which runs Chumba Casino and Luckyland Slots.

City Targets Dual Currency Model as Gambling 

The city is represented in the action by the Baltimore City Law Department and the firm DiCello Levitt.

“This lawsuit is about drawing a clear line: illegal gambling operations are not welcome in Baltimore,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott said in a statement. “These companies are targeting our communities, including young people and minors, and profiting while ignoring the law. No company, especially those operating from overseas, gets to profit here while flouting our laws and endangering our residents.”

In the complaint, the city alleges that the “dual currency” model used by sweepstakes casinos constitutes illegal gambling under Maryland law. In sweepstakes casinos, players technically cannot purchase coins that are redeemable for cash and prizes, but can get them as a “bonus” for buying play-money coins. 

“According to the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, these platforms contain all three elements of gambling – consideration, chance, and prize – and are not legally authorized in Maryland, where casino gambling is permitted only at six licensed, brick-and-mortar facilities,” DiCello Levitt said in a statement.

The complaint also alleges that the sites lack effective age-verification methods and gambling resources, and do so while failing to contribute local taxes to the city of Baltimore or state of Maryland.

“This conduct is both a clear violation of Baltimore’s Consumer Protection Ordinance and a serious public health concern,” Baltimore City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson said in a statement. “These companies are operating illegal gambling platforms while using deceptive practices to avoid oversight and accountability.” 

Sweepstakes Casinos Under Fire Across America

This isn’t the first time Baltimore has sued online gambling providers under its Consumer Protection Ordinance. In April 2025, the city filed a lawsuit against both FanDuel and DraftKings, saying the two were exploiting consumers through bonus bets designed to hook new users into sports betting.

The move comes as sweepstakes casinos continue to face pressure and bans from an increasing number of states across the country. The trend began in Montana, while both California and New York were among those that passed sweepstakes casino bans in 2025. 

That continues in 2026, as both Maine and Indiana have seen significant movement on bills that would prohibit sweepstakes casinos from operating in their states. Lawsuits have also been filed, including a class-action suit in 2025 against Drake, Adin Ross, and Stake, accusing the platform and its promoters of misleading advertising.