Baltimore Sues Six Sweepstakes Casino Operators Alleging Illegal Gambling, Targeting Minors

Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the City Council of Baltimore filed a civil complaint March 4, 2026 in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, represented by the Baltimore City Law Department and the Philadelphia-based firm DiCello Levitt, accusing six social "sweepstakes" casino operators of running illegal online gambling disguised as free games. DiCello Levitt publicly posted the complaint and framed the suit as a city effort to stop platforms the firm says have “extracted millions of dollars while evading state regulation, taxation, and consumer safeguards.”

The complaint names the brands Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots (VGW Holdings), McLuck (B2 Services / B2Services), Pulsz Casino (Yellow Social Interactive Limited), Stake.us (Sweepsteaks Limited as listed by DiCello Levitt), High 5 Games (High 5 Entertainment, LLC) and Fortune Coins (Blazesoft Ltd.). DiCello Levitt’s release says the defendants are “largely foreign-owned corporations incorporated in Malta, Cyprus, Estonia, and Canada,” while The Daily Record’s account adds Delaware to jurisdictions where some companies are based.

Baltimore’s theory is that the apps and websites present themselves as lawful sweepstakes or free social games but operate as online casinos using dual-currency systems. The complaint and media summaries explain that users purchase virtual coins or credits with real money and then wager those coins for the chance to win real cash prizes; CBS News summarized the complaint as saying “meaningful play requires real-money purchases.” The city is seeking civil penalties, restitution for consumers, injunctive relief and disgorgement or recovery of alleged unlawful profits.

The suit also focuses on marketing and age verification. The complaint alleges the platforms use “cartoonish, video game-style designs” and advertising on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram that target minors and young users, with minimal safeguards to block underage participation. “This lawsuit is about drawing a clear line: illegal gambling operations are not welcome in Baltimore,” Mayor Brandon M. Scott said. He added, “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.” CBS News also quoted the mayor saying, “They are designed to be addictive, have minimal age verification and are not licensed in the state of Maryland.”

The Daily Record noted that the games are “indistinguishable from online casino gambling,” and provided state context: casino gambling in Maryland is permitted at six physical locations, while sportsbooks are the only legal online gambling option. Baltimore’s complaint follows other municipal actions; The Daily Record cites Gambling911 reporting that Los Angeles sued Stake.us last September, making Baltimore the second city to bring such litigation, and sources note the city filed a separate suit in April against DraftKings and FanDuel.

As of The Daily Record’s reporting, none of the defendants had immediately responded to requests for comment. The case will now proceed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, where the city seeks to halt the platforms’ operations in Maryland and recover alleged ill-gotten gains.