![[photo, Montgomery Park Business Center, 1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/14doe/images/1198-1-654.jpg)
Authorized by the General Assembly, the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency was formed as the State Lottery Agency by constitutional amendment in 1972 (Chapter 365, Acts of 1972, ratified November 7, 1972). The Agency began operation on January 2, 1973, and by
April 1973 began selling lottery tickets and awarding prizes. In October 2012, it reformed under its present name with added responsibilities as regulator of
casinos in Maryland (Chapter 1, Acts of 2012, 2nd Special Session).
Through the Maryland Lottery, lottery tickets are sold and cashed at licensed retail establishments throughout Maryland. These lottery agents are private businesses that receive commissions and fees to sell the games to the public. Transactions are conducted through terminals and self-service vending machines that are connected to a computerized real-time system.
Revenues from the Lottery are credited to the State Lottery Fund (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-118 through 9-120). Monies in the State Lottery Fund are deposited into the Maryland Stadium Facilities Fund, the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, and the Baltimore City Public School Construction Financing Fund. The remaining monies are deposited into the State General Fund (Code State Government Article, sec. 9-120).
Lottery income is the State's fourth-largest source of revenue, after income taxes, sales taxes, and corporate taxes. Approximately 60% of what the Lottery makes from ticket sales goes back to players in the form of prize money. Some 7% goes to retailer commissions, and 3% to operational expenses. The remaining 25% of revenues from the State Lottery are deposited in the General Fund of the State Treasury to support Maryand government programs, including those in education, public health, public safety and the environment. Detailed breakdowns by year are available at www.mdgaming.com
- LOTTERY DRAWING GAMES
The State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency provides a variety of terminal-based games which include Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Bonus Match 5, Cash4Life, Keno, Mega Millions, Multi-Match, Powerball, and Racetrax. Subscriptions are offered for Cash4Life, Multi-Match, Mega-Millions and Powerball.
Drawing results are available at www.mdlottery.com, the Maryland Lottery’s mobile phone app, and the winning numbers phone line (410) 230-8830.
Cash4Life is a multi-state game with a top prize of $1,000 a day for life and a second-tier prize of $1,000 a week for life. Players select six number from two different fields: five numbers from a range of 1 to 60 and one Cash Ball number from a range of 1 to 4. Sold in 10 states, tickets cost $2. Drawings are held nightly in Trenton, New Jersey.
Daily Drawings. The Lottery holds twice-daily drawings for Pick 3 (a three-digit game, with prizes ranging from $25 to $500); Pick 4 (a four-digit game, with winners receiving between $100 and $5,000); and Pick 5 (a five-digit game, with winners receiving between $25 and $50,000). Bonus Match 5 (a pick of 5-of-39 game) drawings are also held daily, offering a top prize of $50,000.
Monitor Games include Keno and Racetrax. Keno is a monitor-style game with drawings held every four minutes. Players select up to 10 numbers from a field of 80 and match them to a computer-generated group of 20 numbers displayed on a Keno monitor. Prizes range from $2 to $100,000. Racetrax is a computer-animated horseracing simulation game. Players select horses numbered from 1 to 12 to win prizes ranging from $1.20 to $650,248. Drawings are held approximately every four minutes.
Mega Millions (formerly The Big Game) is a multi-state game with jackpots that start at $20 million. Players select six numbers from two different fields: five numbers from a range of 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from a range of 1 to 25. Winning numbers are drawn on Tuesday and Friday nights in Atlanta, Georgia. The game costs $2 to play. Forty-six states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands participate.
Multi-Match (formerly Lotto) is a lotto-style game. Players pick six numbers from a range of 1 to 43, and are given two more randomly generated sets of six numbers from that same range. Drawings are held on Monday and Thursday nights. The game offers a minimum jackpot of $500,000. Nine other prize levels range from $2 to $2,000. Multi-Match is played only in Maryland.
Powerball has been offered since January 31, 2010. Today, Maryland and forty-five other states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands participate in Powerball. Players select six numbers from two different fields: five numbers from a range of 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from a range of 1 to 26. Tickets are $2 and drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights in Tallahassee, Florida, for jackpots starting at $20 million.
FAST PLAY INSTANT GAMES
In 2020, the Lottery introduced Fast Play instant games, which are similar in style to scratch-off tickets, but are printed on-demand at the time of purchase by Lottery terminals and self-service vending machines. Prices range from $1 to $20. Some Fast Play games offer progressive jackpot prizes, which start at a base amount and increase with the sale of each ticket until a jackpot-winning ticket is sold.
LOTTERY INSTANT GAMES
The Lottery offers more than 50 pre-printed, scratch-off games at prices ranging from $1 to $30. Each scratch-off game launch includes thousands of winning tickets, with prizes of varying amounts, including top prizes as high as $2 million.
PRIZES
All Maryland Lottery retailers are authorized to redeem winning tickets with prizes of $600 or less. Winning tickets up to $5,000 can be redeemed at Expanded Cashing Authority Program (XCAP) retail locations. Maryland’s six licensed casinos are authorized to redeem winning Lottery tickets valued up to $25,000. Prizes larger than $25,000 must be claimed at the Lottery’s Claims Center in Baltimore, which is open by appointment only.
With Senate advice and consent, the Director of the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency is appointed by the Governor (Code State Government Article, sec. 9-106). With the approval of the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission and the Legislative Policy Committee of the General Assembly, the Agency's Director may enter into agreements to operate multijurisdictional lotteries with any other political entity outside the State or outside the United States, or with a private licensee of a state or other nation (Chapter 449, Acts of 2002; Code State Government Article, sec. 9-111).
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STATE LOTTERY & GAMING CONTROL COMMISSION
In 1973, the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission originated as the State Lottery Commission authorized by the General Assembly (Chapter 365, Acts of 1972). It reformed as the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission in 2012 (Chapter 1, Acts of 2012, 2nd Special Session).
The Commission serves as an advisory board to the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. In November 2008, the Commission also was assigned responsibility for regulating the operation of video lottery terminals (slot machines) in Maryland (Chapter 4, Acts of 2007 Special Session; Code State Government Article, sec. 9-1A-04).
Lottery, casino and sports wagering operations, regulations, contracts, and licenses are overseen by the Commission. In conjunction with the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, the Commission also is responsible for regulating table games, and the operations of the State's video lottery terminals.
Commission members review and approve new or amended lottery, casino and sports wagering regulations before they are submitted for Legislative review. Agency contracts also are reviewed and approved by the Commission before submission to the Board of Public Works or the Department of General Services, In addition, the Commission reviews and approves licenses for casino and sports wagering operators, principal entities, manufacturers, contractors, and vendors and employees.
Further, since May 2021, the Commission has the added responsibility of generally overseeing the regulation of sports wagering and fantasy gaming competitions in the State (Chapter 356, Acts of 2021).
Seven members constitute the Commission. They are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. The Governor also appoints a liaison member from the Maryland Racing Commission as a member of the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (Chapter 1, Acts of 2012 2nd Special Session). Annually, from among its members the Commission chooses the Chair (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-104 through 9-109).
The Commission is assisted by the Maryland Amusement Game Advisory Committee.
The Committee advises the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission on the conduct and technical aspects of the amusement game industry, including recommendations for the legality of skill-based amusement games.
Seven members make up the Committee. Appointed by the Governor, six are voting members. The Director of the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency serves ex
officio as a nonvoting member. The Governor names the Chair (Code Criminal Law Article, sec. 12-301.1).
MARYLAND AMUSEMENT GAME ADVISORY COMMITTEE
In June 2014, the Maryland Amusement Game Advisory Committee was established by the General Assembly (Chapter 464, Acts of 2014).
COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
The Communications Division began as the Communications and Customer Relations Division, and later assumed its current name.Communications staff oversees the Lottery’s daily drawings. The Division regularly issues press releases listing the Lottery’s top prizes, and reporting monthly revenues for casino gaming and sports wagering. The Division also interacts with the public, responding to a wide variety of inquiries from Lottery players and news outlets. Staff keeps the public updated on Lottery promotions and engages in winner awareness efforts by interviewing Lottery winners and publishing their stories on mdlottery.com.
The Division plans and manages the Lottery’s presence at approximately 100 community events each year, including fairs and festivals, and sports and charity events. In coordination with the Sales and Marketing Division, the Communications Division produces a quarterly newsletter for Maryland Lottery retailers.
FINANCE DIVISION
In 1977, the Finance Division started as Administration, Finance, and Operations. It reformed as the Administration, Finance, Operations and Information Technology Division by June 2014. Renamed the Administration, Finance and Information Technology Division in 2015, the Division through a later reorganization became the Finance Division.Under the Division is the Budget Unit, Gaming Accounting, and General Ledger Accounting.
GAMING ACCOUNTING
GENERAL LEDGER ACCOUNTING
In Maryland, the Division regulates casino gambling. The Division also conducts audits; monitors slot machine ownership and compliance; manages the central monitor and control system; and administers responsible gambling programs.
MARYLAND CASINO GAMING (SLOT MACHINES & TABLE GAMES)
Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, 1525 Russell St., Baltimore, Maryland, September 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Rocky Gap Casino Resort, Flintstone (Allegany County), Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Gaming Accounting oversees all accounting for Gaming (casinos), Sports Wagering and Fantasy competition.
General Ledger Accounting oversees and manages day-to-day operations of the Accounting Unit. Oversees and manages maintenance and reconciliation of the general ledger for the Lottery, Video Lottery Terminals, Sports Wager and Fantasy Gaming.
GAMING & REGULATORY OVERSIGHT DIVISION
The Gaming and Regulatory Oversight Division started as the Gaming Division in July 2011, and reformed as the Gaming and Operations Division in November 2015. It was renamed the Gaming, Operations and Regulatory Oversight Division in 2017, and later adopted its present name.
In 2008, Maryland voters ratified a constitutional amendment allowing installation of slot machines in
Baltimore City and four counties: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Cecil and Worcester (Chapter 5, Acts of 2007 Special Session, ratified Nov. 4, 2008; Constitution, Art. XIX, sec. 1). On November 6, 2012,
voters approved by referendum the addition of a sixth casino in Prin
![[photo, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, 1525 Russell St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/bcity/images/buildings/1198-1-09242c.jpg)
The State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency regulates gaming operations at Maryland casinos, including the Maryland Video Lottery Program (slots gambling), & table games]. The process by which licenses were issued to operate video lottery facilities in those jurisdictions,
however, was conducted by the Video Lottery Facility Location Commission. Current law also allows video lottery terminal licensees to operate certain table games, such as roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and poker (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-1A-01 through 9-1A-38).
![[photo, Rocky Gap Casino Resort, Flintstone (Allegany County), Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/36loc/al/images/1198-1-06647c.jpg)
State casinos operate in six Maryland counties:
Hollywood Casino in Perryville (Cecil County) opened in September 2010;
Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin (Worcester County) opened in January 2011;
Maryland Live! at Arundel Mills (Anne Arundel County) opened in June 2012;
Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone (Allegany County) opened in May 2013;
Horseshoe Casino Baltimore (Baltimore City) opened in August 2014; and
MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill (Prince George's County) opened on December 8, 2016.
In 2008, the Education Trust Fund was established as a special nonlapsing fund, the money from which is invested and reinvested by the State Treasurer with interest and earnings accrued to the Fund (Chapter 4, Acts of 2007 Special Session; Code State Government Article, sec. 9-1A-30). From the nearly $2.002 billion in gaming revenue in Fiscal Year 2022, the Education Trust Fund received 30.5%, totaling an all-time record of $611.6 million. Casino operators received 57.8%. Remaining funds were divided among the state's horse-racing industry (4.5%); local impact grants and local jurisdictions (5.3%); small, minority and women-owned businesses (1%); responsible gaming (0.2%); and operational expenses (0.7%).
The three main units under the Division are Gaming, Gaming and Regulatory Oversight, and Operations.
GAMING
To ensure the integrity of casino gambling in Maryland, Audit and Regulatory Compliance collects and reviews operational forms, financial statements, and statistical and performance data. It applies auditing standards to account for and safeguard assets and ensure that the
operations, financial position, and cash flows of casinos are reflected accurately. To monitor compliance with internal control systems, Audit and Regulatory Compliance also oversees field audits of casinos statewide.
GAMING OPERATIONS
With casinos, Gaming Operations reviews slot machine performance, and seeks to ensure that facilities meet requirements for opening and continuing operations. It also oversees any slot machine conversions, movements, or changes.
RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING
Initiated in 2010, the Voluntary Exclusion Program is for individuals who wish to ban
themselves from Maryland casinos, the Maryland Lottery or sportsbooks that operate in
Maryland. Information on the program is available on the Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling website.
OPERATIONS
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The operation of data processing systems that support Lottery gaming activities is managed by Information Technology. This unit also provides technical assistance to the Agency, and develops and supports internal data systems, the local area network, and website infrastructure.
REGULATORY OVERSIGHT
Three units are overseen by Regulatory Oversight: Casino Compliance, Casino Licensing, and Investigations and Security.
INVESTIGATIONS & SECURITY
LICENSING
Licensing conducts background investigations of the owners, employees, equipment manufacturers, contractors and vendors of casinos and sportsbooks to determine if they are qualified to be licensed.
The Division plans and manages broadcast, digital and social media ads and promotions; as well as print and out-of-home advertising and promotional efforts. New Lottery games and products also are launched by the Division.
The Division seeks to maximize Maryland Lottery sales throughout the state. The Division recruits new outlets and ensures that all locations have sufficient products and materials available for players. It also informs the public and Lottery agents about new games, and monitors the compliance of retailers with Agency regulations.
Under the Division are eight units: Corporate Sales; Creative Services; Field Sales; Product Development; Retail Recruitment; Sales; Sales Force Automation; and Sales Support.
CREATIVE SERVICES
Creative Services develops advertising strategies to achieve the sales and revenue objectives of the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. Creative Services evaluates the effectiveness of advertising in terms of reach, frequency, and impression on audiences. Advertising time and space for jackpot announcements, product introductions, promotions, and winner awareness are purchased by this unit. To inform consumers about Lottery products, promotions, and programs, Creative Services manages the development and production of advertising materials for television, radio, and print media, as well as at retail sales outlets.
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Gaming oversees three units: Audit and Regulatory Compliance; Gaming Operations; and Responsible Gambling.
AUDIT & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Audit and Regulatory Compliance was established as Casino Auditing under the Gaming Division in July 2011. It was renamed Auditing and Regulatory Compliance in September 2014, and Audit and Regulatory Compliance in 2017.
Under the Gaming Division, Gaming Operations was organized in July 2011 as Video Lottery Terminal Operations It reformed as Electronic Gaming Device Operations in January 2014, and received its present name in November 2015.
The Agency’s Responsible Gambling Program Director works in the Gaming Division and coordinates the Agency’s responsible gambling efforts. The position is responsible for ensuring that casinos and sportsbook licensees have approved responsible gambling (RG)
plans in place and also oversees RG training efforts aimed at both Agency employees and Lottery retailers. The Responsible Gambling Program Director also administers the Voluntary Exclusion Program and serves as the Agency’s primary liaison to the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, a division of the Maryland Department of Health, which oversees problem gabbling treatment services in the state. The Agency and the Center of Excellence are among the leadership of the Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling, which brings together gambling stakeholders and state agencies to enhance resources available to problem gamblers. No-cost assessment and treatment are available through the Center of Excellence by calling 1-800-GAMBLER or visiting https://helpmygamblingproblem.org/.
Operations is responsible for Agent Administration, Contract Management, Facilities Operation and Records Management, and Information Technology.
FACILITIES OPERATION & RECORDS MANAGEMENT
Since October 1, 2017, the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency has had a program for the continual, economical and efficient management of its records. The Agency's Records Officer develops and oversees the program, and serves as liaison to the Records Management Division of the Department of General Services, and to the State Archives (Chapter 539, Acts of 2017; Code State Government Article, secs. 10-608 through 10-611).
Information Technology began as the Electronic Data Processing, Research and Development Division, and reorganized as the Information Technology Division in 1997. It merged with Administration, Finance and Operations Division in 2014 to form the Administration, Finance, Operations and Information Technology Division, and became a subunit of that division in November 2015. Later, it transferred to the Gaming and Regulatory
Oversight Division.
In December 2010, Regulatory Oversight began as the Enforcement Division. In November 2015, the Division reorganized as Regulatory Oversight within the Gaming and Operations Division and then reformed as Gaming and Regulatory Oversight within the Gaming and Regulatory Oversight Division. By January 2022, It had been renamed Regulatory Oversight.
CASINO COMPLIANCE
At each Maryland casino, Casino Compliance maintains staff who work to resolve customer complaints and to ensure that the Maryland State Lottery and the State gambling casinos comply with regulations.
Under Gaming and Regulatory Oversight, Investigations and Security formerly was called Lottery Investigations.
Licensing started as Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) Licensing. It reformed as Casino Licensing, and later as Licensing.
SALES & MARKETING DIVISION
The Sales and Marketing Division started as the Marketing Division, reformed as the Marketing and Advertising Division in 1997, and reverted to its original name - Marketing Division - in 1998. It reorganized as the Sales Division in 2001, and merged with the Creative Product Services and Communications Division to form the Lottery Division in July 2011. In 2015, the Marketing Division re-emerged as a separate division. When the Lottery Division was abolished in November 2021, functions of sales and marketing were joined together to form the Sales and Marketing Division.
In 2001, Creative Services was initiated as the Creative Services Division. It merged in June 2005 with the Product Development Division and the Research and Planning Division to form the Product Development, Creative Services and Research Division. In January 2008, it reformed as the Product Development, Creative Services and Communications Division, and in 2009 reorganized as the Creative Product Services and Communications Division. With the Sales Division it joined to form the Lottery Division in July 2011. In 2015, the Marketing Division re-emerged as a separate division and oversaw Creative Services, which became part of the Sales and Marketing Division in November 2021.
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