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The Maryland Lottery supports Responsible Gaming Education Month with these educational videos on how to play, odds, scratch-off probabilities and other topics.
Responsible gaming starts with you.
If you’re 18 years or older, playing Maryland Lottery games can be enjoyable entertainment. There are some simple rules you can follow to play responsibly and always keep it fun.
If you believe that you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available at no cost 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-GAMBLER. You can also gather more information through the Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling at mdgamblinghelp.org.
Tips on How to Enjoy the Lottery Responsibly
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Only spend within your limits.
Stick to your previously set spending and loss limits, no matter how good or bad your luck is that day.
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Never borrow money to play.
Turning to others for financial help to play the lottery can negatively impact your relationships. If you don’t have the money to play, you shouldn’t be playing.
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Understand your odds of winning.
Be a low-risk player by knowing what your statistical chances are of winning. It’s easy to check. Just visit these games page links:
The overall probability of winning a prize on each scratch-off and FAST PLAY game is available on the following links and the MD Lottery mobile app. The overall probability refers to the game as a whole, so if a scratch-off has a probability of 1 in 3, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll win a prize if you buy three tickets. It means that 1 out of every 3 tickets that were printed for the game is a winner. Winning tickets are randomly distributed.
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Feeling stressed? Don’t play.
Stay positive. Don’t play the lottery when you’re highly stressed, depressed, or troubled in any way.
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These are games of chance—not skill.
There are no special methods, secrets, or abilities that will make you better at playing the lottery. Winning is a matter of random chance and purely the luck of the draw.
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Play for fun, not for profit.
Lottery games are for entertainment purposes only and are not a way to make money.
Source: Responsible Gambling Council, responsiblegambling.org
- Spending a lot of time gambling – missing work, school, family obligations, or other important events.
- Hiding gambling losses – frequently talking about winning, but not sharing information about losses or family finances.
- Gambling to escape – using gambling to escape from pressures at home or work, or being motivated to gamble out of loneliness or grief.
- Suffering severe mood swings – becoming anxious or angry, or having changes in one’s state of mind when not gambling, or depending on the outcome of gambling.
- Increasing wagers – betting higher amounts in the hope of breaking even or winning back losses.
- Attempting to stop gambling, but can’t – compulsive gamblers may try to stop, but in most cases are unable to do so without help.
Maryland Lottery and Gaming operates a voluntary exclusion program (VEP) for individuals who wish to ban themselves from playing Maryland Lottery games or gambling in Maryland’s casinos or electronic instant bingo halls.
Individuals who register for voluntary exclusion agree not to purchase or play Maryland Lottery games or to visit the state’s casinos or electronic instant bingo halls.
Things to know about the voluntary exclusion program:
- Placement on the list is completely voluntary and your name cannot be added to the list by anyone but yourself.
- The application must be filled out and submitted in person at the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency’s headquarters in Baltimore or at any casino in Maryland. To arrange an appointment to submit an application at MLCGA headquarters, please call at 410-230-8798. Applications may be submitted at a Maryland casino anytime during casino operating hours.
- You must present a government-issued photo ID for the application process.
- You must not be under the influence of any alcohol or controlled substances during the application process, so that you can make a sober and informed decision.
- You can elect either a two-year or lifetime exclusion.
- A person enrolled for a two-year exclusion may request removal from the Voluntary Exclusion list at the expiration of that time period by completing a Request for Removal Application. A person applying for removal from the VEP must:
- First undergo a problem gambling assessment by a professional who is certified by the state to conduct problem gambling assessments.
- Complete any recommended treatment.
- Complete a problem gambling treatment and prevention program. The Maryland Lottery will have the final determination on whether an applicant can be removed from the voluntary exclusion list.
- If you violate the voluntary exclusion program, you contractually agree to redeem or liquidate all unredeemed items that have monetary value and designate that their winnings be contributed to the Problem Gambling fund.
FAQs about the Maryland Lottery Voluntary Exclusion Program can be found here.
To view a sample application click here, but the application must be filled out and submitted in person at the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency’s headquarters in Baltimore or at any Maryland casino.
To arrange an appointment to submit an application at the MLGCA headquarters, please call the Responsible Gambling Program Coordinator at 410-230-8798. Applications may be submitted at a Maryland casino anytime during casino operation hours.
Additional Resources
Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling
Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling
Maryland Council on Problem Gambling – 410-375-1421
National Council on Problem Gambling – 1-800-426-2537
Gambler’s Anonymous International Service Office – 213-386-8789
Gam-Anon International Service Office – 718-352-1671
24-Hour Help
To connect individuals to services including counseling, treatment, self-help and support groups, a 24-hour helpline can be reached at 1-800-GAMBLER. You can also gather more information through the Maryland Alliance for Responsible Gambling at mdgamblinghelp.org.
Maryland residents are eligible for free problem gambling assessment and treatment through the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling (667-214-2120; helpmygamblingproblem.org).
The Maryland Lottery is proud to have achieved the highest level of responsible gaming certification.
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