The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) has issued a positive response to the close of Maryland's 2026 legislative session, saying the result allows social plus games to continue operating as part of the state's digital economy.
In a statement, SGLA Managing Director Sean Ostrow said the alliance had addressed what he described as false allegations from casino interests during the session, arguing that the social plus industry already maintains consumer protections and contributes to Maryland's economy.
He also said the alliance had pushed back against efforts to classify the activity as gambling.
The Maryland session had been closely watched following the SGLA's testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee in February, where it urged lawmakers not to pass House Bill 295 – legislation it said could have banned and criminalised social plus games in the state.
At the time, the alliance estimated that proper regulation of sweepstakes-style gaming could generate up to $20m in annual revenue for Maryland.
With the session now closed without that legislation advancing, the SGLA says it will look to work with lawmakers and regulators ahead of the 2027 session.
Ostrow said the goal would be to codify the alliance's best practices across the broader social games sector, with an emphasis on consumer safety and tax revenue generation.
The Maryland outcome represents a contrasting picture to developments in other states. Indiana passed HB 1052 earlier this year, tightening restrictions on sweepstakes-style gaming models, while New York enacted an outright ban on social plus games in late 2025.
SGLA has previously estimated that regulating social plus games in some states could generate upwards of $20m annually in tax revenue
