John Martin
Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency
Director
1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 330
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-230-8800
FY 2023
FY 2023
Total Sales
$5,210,509,834
Transfers to Beneficiaries
FY 2023
$1,495,505,758
Prizes to Players
FY 2023
$1,732,897,690
Retailers
4,358
History of Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency
In 1972, Maryland voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of the Maryland Lottery, making Maryland the eighth state in the nation to establish a lottery. The Lottery opened for business on Jan. 2, 1973, with 94 employees and 3,800 licensed sales agents.
The Lottery’s first game, Twin Win, offered a top prize of $50,000; the first drawing was held May 24, 1973. Scratch-off tickets debuted in February 1976, followed by Pick 3 in July 1976. Today, the Lottery offers 10 draw games and more than 50 scratch-off games.
In 1978, the Lottery’s annual contribution to the state surpassed the $100 million mark for the first time. By 1986, the total had surpassed the $300 million mark. Contributions to the state from Lottery ticket sales have exceeded $500 million in all but two years since 2006.
Maryland voters approved a 2008 referendum allowing up to 15,000 slot machines at five privately owned casinos. In 2012, voters approved a referendum to allow the addition of table games and a sixth casino location.
More than 7,000 people are employed at Maryland’s six casinos. Casino gaming revenue benefits the Maryland Education Trust Fund, the local communities where the six casinos are located, the state’s horse racing industry, and responsible gambling programs.
To reflect its additional responsibilities as regulator of the state’s casinos, the Maryland State Lottery Agency’s name was changed to the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency in October 2012.
Media Contact:
Seth Elkin
410-230-8816
Total sales include actual sales of traditional lottery products and, where applicable, gross gaming revenues from eInstant lottery games, VLTs, casinos and sports betting.