The Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency is a state agency that regulates gaming operations at casinos and privately held businesses. In addition, it oversees ancillary gaming programs and sports wagering, including on-line fantasy competitions. This agency is responsible for licensing and regulating both table games and video lottery terminals. It is managed by a nonvoting Director, who is appointed by the Governor.
The agency is split into eight divisions. Each division is responsible for a specific area of responsibility. For example, the Gaming Division supervises the casino and sports wagering licensees, while the Regulatory Oversight division handles all customer complaints.
The Maryland Lottery operates through employees, including lottery agents who sell tickets at retail locations. These agents receive commissions for selling the Lottery products. They are also permitted to redeem winning tickets up to $25,000 at the state’s six casinos. However, they must schedule an appointment to claim the prize. To get the larger prizes, they must go to the Expanded Cashing Authority Program (ECAP).
The Gaming Division has seven departments: Gaming and Regulatory Oversight, Casino Compliance, Records Management, Investigations and Security, Sales and Marketing, and Video Lottery Terminal Licensing. All of these units were originally part of the Enforcement Division, which was renamed Gaming and Regulatory Oversight in 2006.
Previously known as the Product Development, Creative Services and Research Division, this division merged with the Research and Planning Division in June 2005. After that, it was renamed the Creative Product Services and Communications Division. That division oversaw the advertising, promotions, and production of Lottery product information.
A new subunit of the Administration, Finance, and Operations Division was established as Information Technology in November 2015. This division supports the local area network and website infrastructure of the agency, and provides technical assistance to the Agency.
Among the newest additions to the Lottery is the Fast Play instant game, which was launched in 2020. This game is similar to scratch-off tickets. Players can play the game by entering a number between one and $20. Thousands of winning tickets are available and top prizes are worth $2 million.
The State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency also maintains a responsible gambling program. The Responsible Gambling Program Director is responsible for training players on responsible gambling and for administering the Voluntary Exclusion Program. He is also the primary liaison to the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling.
The Division also has an advertising department, known as the Creative Services Department. This department purchases advertising space, develops advertising strategies, and evaluates the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. Currently, there are more than 50 pre-printed scratch-off games offered by the Lottery.
Throughout the year, the Division also introduces new games. The Pick 5 game is an opportunity to win $100 to $500,000. There is also the Cash4Life game, which features a multi-state jackpot. Currently, players can choose five numbers from 1 to 60.
In Maryland, the Powerball lottery game has a jackpot of at least $20 million. It is drawn three times a week.