Maryland lawmakers are weighing a proposal that could stretch the state’s gambling laws well beyond its borders, potentially pulling web hosts, payment companies and platform providers around the world into its enforcement net. House Bill 1226, titled the Maryland Illegal Online Gambling Enforcement Act, would let the Attorney General issue cease-and-desist orders to any sweepstakes operator accused of offering or promoting illegal online gambling in the state. It also requires the Attorney General to keep a public list of website URLs that have received those orders, effectively creating a blacklist that others would be expected to follow. Under the bill’s language, a platform provider is defined broadly as any company that stores or hosts content on a web server and makes it accessible online. Financial transaction providers, including payment processors and credit card issuers, are also explicitly covered. That reach is what stands out to legal observers. “It’s pretty far reaching,” said Robert L.…