• 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:
  1. First undergo a problem gambling assessment by a professional who is certified by the state to conduct problem gambling assessments.
  2. Complete any recommended treatment.
  3. 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.