Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general urging the U.S. Department of Justice to intensify efforts against Maryland illegal offshore gaming operations. The group sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Aug. 5, 2025, highlighting the proliferation of unlicensed online sports betting and gaming platforms that harm consumers, the economy and the rule of law. This Maryland illegal offshore gaming initiative addresses foreign-based companies operating without licensure, evading taxes and offering minimal consumer protections.
The coalition, including attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming, emphasized the unchecked growth of these platforms since 2013, when federal enforcement actions diminished.
Illegal operations fail to verify user age or identity, ignore state borders and expose individuals to fraud and problem gambling without oversight. The letter notes links to money laundering, human trafficking and other crimes. Estimates indicate illegal online gaming generates over $400 billion annually, resulting in more than $4 billion in lost state tax revenue. For Maryland illegal offshore gaming specifically, a 2023 report projected a $197 million annual tax shortfall from unregulated online casinos.
The coalition called for coordinated federal assistance to deploy legal tools against Maryland illegal offshore gaming threats. Recommendations include pursuing injunctive relief under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to block websites and payment processing, seizing assets such as servers, domains and proceeds from violators, and working with states, financial institutions and payment processors to halt unlawful transactions.
Maryland legalized retail sports betting in May 2021 and launched online wagering in November 2022, generating $59.8 million in state contributions for fiscal year 2024, primarily funding education through the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. However, Maryland illegal offshore gaming undercuts these regulated markets by attracting users with unregulated offerings, including casino games prohibited online in the state. Land-based casinos and licensed sportsbooks operate under strict oversight, but offshore sites bypass these requirements, posing risks to vulnerable populations.
In Southern Maryland, where communities in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties access legal options at venues like MGM National Harbor or through apps, the presence of illegal platforms exacerbates issues like addiction. The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling reported over 1,500 helpline calls in 2024, with many linked to online access. Offshore operations, often based in jurisdictions like Curacao or Malta, advertise aggressively, drawing in users unaware of the lack of recourse for disputes or losses.
Federal inaction since the 2011 DOJ opinion reinterpreting the Wire Act has allowed Maryland illegal offshore gaming to flourish, with platforms like Bovada and BetOnline remaining accessible despite state bans. The coalition’s letter references successful past enforcements, such as the 2011 “Black Friday” indictments against poker sites, which disrupted major operators.
Brown’s participation aligns with prior multistate efforts, including a 2024 push for cannabis banking reform and opposition to offshore drilling. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General has pursued related actions, such as warnings to sweepstakes cafes operating illegally. In March 2025, legislation advanced to ban sweepstakes machines mimicking slots, reflecting ongoing state-level crackdowns.
Nationally, the American Gaming Association estimates the illegal market captures 52% of online gambling activity, diverting funds from licensed operators. States with legal frameworks, like Maryland, lose revenue that could support public services. The letter urges DOJ collaboration to dismantle financial infrastructures, potentially through partnerships with entities like the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
For Southern Maryland residents, where proximity to Washington, D.C., and Virginia borders facilitates cross-state access, Maryland illegal offshore gaming poses enforcement challenges. Local law enforcement coordinates with state agencies to monitor advertisements and report violations, but federal support is essential for blocking international operations.
The coalition’s effort represents a unified call for renewed federal involvement, aiming to protect consumers and bolster state economies. As online access grows, addressing Maryland illegal offshore gaming remains critical to maintaining regulated integrity and public safety.
