Maryland Lottery and Gaming is promoting Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March through an advertising campaign, educational resources, and partnerships with state agencies and casinos to encourage responsible gambling and provide support for those affected by problem gambling.

Per the news release: “Maryland Lottery and Gaming will join with other lotteries and gaming operators across the U.S. in March to support Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

The Lottery is once again running a paid advertising campaign to promote Problem Gambling Awareness Month, with messages that focus on tips for playing responsibly and helping players separate lottery myths from facts. The ads will begin airing March 1 on TV and radio stations across the state, along with billboards and social media.

“It’s important to us that we offer and oversee safe, regulated access to gaming, but at the same time we prioritize responsible play and we work closely with our retailers and operators around these issues,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin. “We want people to make educated decisions about how they gamble, and we want everyone to know how to find help if gambling becomes a problem.”

The newly enhanced Responsible Play page of mdlottery.com includes informational videos, links to available resources, and Fact vs. Myth questions intended to help deepen the public’s understanding of Lottery games. Lottery game rules and probabilities are available in the Games section of the website.

Maryland Lottery and Gaming offers voluntary self-exclusion, which has expanded in recent years to include the Lottery, casinos, sports wagering, daily fantasy sports and electronic instant bingo halls.

“Voluntary exclusion is one step people can take to help themselves,” said Jasmine Countess, Maryland Lottery and Gaming’s responsible gambling director. “While it isn’t intended to replace treatment by a licensed counselor, it is a valuable tool that has assisted thousands of people with regaining or maintaining control over their play.”

The Maryland Lottery has also demonstrated an ongoing commitment to promoting responsible play through participation in the Responsible Gambling Verification Program, which is jointly operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL). The program requires lotteries to continually enhance their responsible play considerations across all operations. The Maryland Lottery submitted its application for the program’s highest level last month after advancing through all four levels of a separate responsible gambling certification program offered by the World Lottery Association (WLA). In 2022, the Maryland Lottery became one of 10 U.S. lotteries to achieve the WLA’s highest certification.

The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, a division of the Maryland Department of Health, coordinates the state’s problem gambling treatment and research efforts. The Center’s staff answer calls to the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, and additional information is available at helpmygamblingproblem.org. Maryland residents can receive no-cost counseling services by calling the helpline. The no-cost services are funded through annual assessments paid by Maryland’s six casinos to the state’s Problem Gambling Fund. In Fiscal Year 2024, these payments were $4.47 million, and they have totaled nearly $52 million since Maryland’s first casino opened in 2010.

According to the Center, “While many people can gamble recreationally without problems, some Marylanders struggle with gambling behaviors which can cause negative consequences for themselves and those they care about. With online and mobile sports betting now in place, there is greater accessibility and opportunity to bet on more than just your favorite team, but also on every play of the game right from your mobile device in your own living room.

“This ease of access may potentially increase the risk of developing a gambling problem. If you, or someone you know is struggling with problems caused by gambling, the Center can connect you to resources including no-cost counseling, a peer recovery support specialist with (first-hand problem gambling) lived experience, or support groups, all of which can help with your road to recovery.”

Maryland’s six casinos are also promoting Problem Gambling Awareness Month and released the following statements:

Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore: “Responsible gaming is deeply rooted in the culture of all Caesars Entertainment destinations, including Horseshoe Casino Baltimore. The company celebrated 35 years since launching its industry-leading responsible gaming programming in 2024 and continues to maintain its leadership position with responsible gaming initiatives and policies, including promoting resources for individuals dealing with problem gambling. In Maryland, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore is proud of its partnership with the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling and looks forward to a collaborative partnership during PGAM.”

Hollywood Casino in Perryville: “Our commitment to promoting responsible gaming is personal — our team members live in the same communities as our patrons and, therefore, have a vested interest in offering sympathetic, discrete assistance to anyone who approaches asking for help, and they’re trained to identify outward signs of problem gambling.”

Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover: “We are steadfast in our commitment to promote responsible gaming in and outside of our property. We are proud to partner with the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency and the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling to spread awareness and share resources in our sincere effort to support those dealing with problem gambling and mitigate its impacts on our community,” said Ryan Eller, executive vice president and general manager.

MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill: At MGM National Harbor, MGM Resorts and BetMGM, responsibility is woven into the culture of our organizations. We are dedicated to raising problem gambling awareness and promoting responsible gaming across all properties and platforms. Through our GameSense program, we provide tools, resources and training that support informed decision-making and enhance player and employee education. We prioritize public awareness campaigns to reduce risk, contribute to peer-reviewed research, and support prevention and early intervention initiatives through national and state councils. As leaders in the gaming industry, we are committed to setting the standard by promoting safe, enjoyable gambling experiences for our guests and customers year-round.

Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin: Ocean Downs Casino is committed to bringing awareness to our guests and employees regarding problem gaming as March has been designated “Problem Gambling Awareness Month.” We pride ourselves in continuously training our team to notice the signs of problem gaming and be a leader in the industry. Ocean Downs aligns itself with numerous community support partners to ensure our knowledge and resources are of the highest levels. With an informed and trained team, we can continue to support our community along with promoting a fun and healthy entertainment destination.

Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Cumberland: At Rocky Gap Casino, Resort & Golf, we recognize that as the gaming industry becomes more dynamic and provides new entertainment possibilities, we are directly responsible for remaining engaged with our staff and guests to ensure gaming remains responsible. We are proud of our partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling and the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling. This collaboration allows us to provide our guests with a memorable and enjoyable experience while ensuring our team remains vigilant in recognizing and reporting the signs of problem gambling.”