Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control
The Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency was established in 1973 following a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1972. Its original purpose was to run the State Lottery. Over time, the Agency’s responsibilities expanded significantly. In 2012, after a change in legislation, it began regulating casino gaming in Maryland.
This change reflected a broader focus on gambling oversight, including sports betting and online fantasy competitions. The Agency’s headquarters is located at the Montgomery Park Business Center in Baltimore.
Functions and Structure
The Agency operates as both a regulatory body and a business unit. It oversees all forms of legal gambling in Maryland, including the Maryland Lottery, commercial casinos, sports betting, and fantasy competitions. It achieves this through a combination of direct staff and third-party service providers.
While the lottery is directly managed by the Agency, casinos and sportsbooks operate under private ownership. The Agency’s job is to regulate and monitor these businesses to maintain fairness, legality, and accountability.
Governance
The leadership of the Agency consists of a Director, who is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Oversight and strategic advice come from the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission. This Commission consists of seven members, also appointed by the Governor for staggered five-year terms.
The Commission evaluates proposed regulations, approves licensing applications, and reviews major contracts. Since 2021, it also has authority over sports wagering and fantasy sports competitions.
The Maryland Amusement Game Advisory Committee supports the Commission by providing expert advice on amusement and skill-based games. It helps determine which games meet legal standards in the State.
Lottery Operations
The Maryland Lottery is a state-run lottery system that relies on a network of privately owned retail locations. Tickets are available from licensed sellers who use terminals and vending machines connected to a central, real-time computer system. This ensures accuracy and transparency in every transaction.
Retailers earn commissions and bonuses for ticket sales, while the Lottery itself serves as a major source of State revenue. Lottery profits support several funds and public programmes.
Revenue Allocation
The Lottery returns the majority of its earnings to winners. The remainder supports retailers, administrative costs, and government budgets. Funds are distributed as follows:
| Allocation | Percentage |
| Prizes | 60% |
| Retailer commissions | 7% |
| Operational costs | 3% |
| State General Fund | 25% |
| Other state funds (education, etc.) | 5% |
The General Fund supports key government areas including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and public safety.
Lottery Games
The Maryland Lottery offers a diverse selection of games designed to appeal to a broad audience. These include draw-based games, instant-win games, and monitor-style games.
Drawing Games
These games involve random number draws conducted by the Agency:
- Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5: Simple number games with daily draws. Players can win from £25 up to £50,000, depending on the numbers selected and the wager amount.
- Bonus Match 5: A 5-number draw with a fixed top prize of £50,000. Drawings occur daily.
- Cash4Life: A multi-state slots not on GamStop offering lifetime prizes. The top prize is £1,000 per day for life, with a second prize of £1,000 per week for life. Drawings are held every night.
- Keno: A fast-paced game with draws every four minutes. Players choose numbers from 1 to 80, and match them with 20 numbers drawn by the system. Prizes range from £2 to £100,000.
- Racetrax: A virtual horse racing game using computer animation. Bets are placed on simulated races every four minutes. Top prizes exceed £650,000.
- Mega Ball: A national lottery game with jackpots starting at £20 million. Draws are held twice weekly.
- Powerball: Another national game with high jackpots. The minimum jackpot is £20 million, and draws take place three times a week.
- Multi-Match: Unique to Maryland, this game offers a starting jackpot of £500,000 and several lower prize tiers. Players receive three sets of numbers per ticket.
Instant Games
Instant games provide immediate results and include two main types:
- Fast Play: Tickets are printed on demand at vending machines or terminals. Some Fast Play games offer progressive jackpots that increase until a winning ticket is sold.
- Scratch-Offs: Pre-printed tickets with hidden panels that reveal prizes when scratched. Over 50 varieties are available, with top prizes reaching £2 million.
Claiming Prizes
Prize redemption is structured by amount:
- Up to £600: Any authorised retailer
- £601 to £5,000: XCAP (Expanded Cashing Authority Programme) locations
- £5,001 to £25,000: Maryland casinos
- Over £25,000: Claims must be submitted at the Lottery Claims Center in Baltimore, by appointment only
This tiered structure helps ensure convenience while maintaining security for large payouts.
Responsible Gambling
The Agency operates the Voluntary Exclusion Programme, allowing individuals to self-ban from all forms of State-regulated gambling. Participants are barred from entering casinos, purchasing lottery tickets, or accessing sportsbooks.
The Agency also oversees responsible gambling training for its staff, retailers, and casino operators. It partners with the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, which offers free assessments, counselling, and support.
