The Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency regulates the state’s casino and gambling industry. It is responsible for licensing and regulating casinos, video lottery terminals, table games, slot machines, and skill-based amusement games. The agency also provides responsible gambling programs, manages the central monitor, and conducts audits.
The Maryland Lottery has eight units that provide various functions to support the operation of the state’s gaming industry. These units are: Information Technology, Creative Services, Administration, Finance and Operations, Video Lottery, Records, and Slot Machines.
In addition to the lottery, the state operates a number of charitable gambling programs. These programs include bingo, pull-tabs, tipboards, paddlewheels, and raffles. Charitable organizations that wish to operate a casino must receive a license from the Gambling Control Board. Some of the games offered by the lottery are: Bingo, Quartermania, poker runs, pari-mutuel betting on horse races, and raffles.
The lottery operates through private lottery agents and retailers. Retailers receive a percentage of the lottery’s revenue as a commission. Unless otherwise specified, lottery tickets cannot be sold to individuals under 18 years of age. This is a civil violation, punishable by up to $200 in fines.
The State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, however, has a poor record in enforcing its rules. Although the lottery does not discriminate against minors, it often has little incentive to enforce its rules. Moreover, the lottery’s business model has been criticized for putting slot machines within easy reach of problem gamblers.
To keep ticket sales out of the hands of underage players, the Maryland Lottery Division works to ensure that all locations have sufficient materials available to sell tickets. If a retailer believes that a location is not adequately stocked, they can contact the division for assistance. The agency also works to recruit new outlets. Depending on the state, there are different minimum ages for playing the lottery.
For example, the Oregon Lottery allows casinos to sell the game. In 1998, the Oregon Lottery licensed 9,000 video gaming machines. There are also licensed slots at bars and taverns, as well as self-service vending machines for Fast Play instant games.
In November 2008, the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission was given responsibility for regulating video lottery terminals in the state. Before announcing its new rule, the Oregon Lottery drew criticism for having a system that did not allow children under the age of 16 to participate. Consequently, a few of the retailers had their licenses suspended or revoked.
The Lottery’s Fast Play instant games are similar to scratch-off tickets, with a prize range of one dollar to twenty dollars. These tickets are printed on demand, and winners can claim prizes as high as $2 million. However, these tickets must be claimed at a retail location. Tickets can also be redeemed at Expanded Cashing Authority Program retail locations.
The Lottery has a variety of jackpots, which can be as large as $1 billion. A jackpot winner can choose to play any of the more than fifty pre-printed scratch-off games offered by the Lottery. Or they can opt to enter the Pick 3 or Pick 4 games, which offer prizes of $25 to $50,000.