Playing responsibly isn’t just a good idea. It’s part of the game.

That’s why the Maryland Lottery offers you the information you need to play your favorite games wisely.

Here you can find tips and resources on how to play responsibly, as well as more information if you or someone you know needs help.

There are a lot of myths out there about how the Maryland Lottery works. Learn more below about what’s true—and what’s not—so that you can keep playing responsibly!

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 Gaming or mdgamblinghelp.org.

Smart ways to play responsibly

Know Your Games

Take some time to learn about our games before you play. Knowing how a game is played and how odds are determined is one important step to playing responsibly.

Traditional lottery games by law have the same three basic components:

  • Chance: The probability of winning.
  • Consideration: The purchase made to participate.
  • Prize: What the outcome determines you have won.

Understand your odds of winning.

Be a low-risk player by knowing what the overall probability is of winning. “Overall probability” refers to the game as a whole: For example, 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.

It’s easy to check! Just visit these links for each of our games:
(Odds are also available on the MD Lottery mobile app)

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.

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.

Don’t recover your losses.

Don’t try to recoup money by taking additional risks or making impulsive decisions.

Feeling stressed? Don’t play.

Stay positive. Don’t play the lottery when you’re stressed in any way.

Play for fun, not for profit.

Lottery games are for entertainment purposes only and are not a way to make money or pay bills.

Fact or Myth?

Click the statements below to find out which are true and which are myths about playing the Maryland Lottery responsibly.

Fact or Myth?
There are lucky games and unlucky games.
Myth!
THE FACT IS:
The odds, prizes, and play styles vary, but one game is as lucky as the next.
Fact or Myth?
The outcome of any Maryland Lottery purchase is random.
Fact!
THE FACT IS:
The outcome of any lottery purchase is random, no matter how many tickets or games you purchase or how long you play.
Fact or Myth?
More people seem to win in the most heavily populated areas of the state.
Fact!
THE FACT IS:
Wins can happen anywhere, but areas with larger populations have higher sales, which typically means more winners.
Fact or Myth?
These are games of chance—not skill.
Fact!
THE FACT IS:
There are no special methods that will make you better at playing or change your odds of winning. They are games of random chance.
Fact or Myth?
There are “lucky” lottery retailers that sell more winning tickets.
Myth!
THE FACT IS:
The result of any lottery purchase is random, no matter where you purchase your ticket.
Fact or Myth?
A number is “due” to hit if it hasn't won recently.
Myth!
THE FACT IS:
Any result is possible at any time in random drawings. There are no patterns, sequences or numbers that are “due.”
Fact or Myth?
There is no special method or ability that will guarantee a win.
Fact!
THE FACT IS:
You cannot affect the outcome of a lottery game by the way you play it.
Fact or Myth?
The newest scratch-off ticket is luckier.
Myth!
THE FACT IS:
Scratch games are preprinted with prizes distributed randomly throughout the game. Odds may vary but are always predetermined.

Maryland Lottery
supports
Problem Gambling
Awareness Month.

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).

Maryland Lottery and Gaming offers voluntary self-exclusion from the Maryland Lottery, as well as the state’s casinos, instant bingo halls, sports wagering and daily fantasy sports. Visit the Voluntary Exclusion page for additional information.

The Maryland Lottery is proud to have achieved the highest level of responsible gaming certification.

Responsible Play

What does it mean to “play responsibly?”
We’ve got a few ideas to keep in mind.

How To Find Help

Maryland residents can get help with a
gambling problem at no cost. Find out how.