For 50 years, it’s been fun and games around here. Thanks for playing!

On May 15, 1973, the first player bought the first Maryland Lottery ticket. Since then, millions more people have played and more than $31.5 billion has been won. It’s been a half-century of huge fun.

Fun Facts | Where the Money Goes | Historical Photos | 50th Anniversary Perspectives

We’re celebrating with exciting prizes and promotions!

Gold Multiplier Scratch-Offs

Instant Lottery Scratch-Off

Now Available

50 Years! Scratch-Off

50^th Anniversary Cash Bash

Home Run Riches Contestant of the Game

Frogger Scratch-Off

Now Available

Maryland Riches Scratch-Off

Now Available

Maryland Lottery Logo Scratch-Off

Now Available

Corvette Cash Scratch-Off

Promotion Date 5/24

Thanks For Playing Promotion

Lottery Week Promotion

Thanks for Playing
50th Anniversary TV Commercial

Thanks for Playing
Lottery Retrospective

Fun Facts

The Maryland Lottery opened its doors in 1973.

James P. Slicher was the first director, with 94 employees and 3,800 licensed selling retailers.
On average, Maryland Lottery players win $4.6 million in prizes each day!
The Maryland Lottery’s first instant scratch-off game went on sale in 1976.

The game was called Instant Lottery, featured the Lottery’s wishbone logo, and had a top prize of $10,000.
The Maryland Lottery’s player loyalty program began in 2013.

My Lottery Rewards is a fun way to reward loyal players with extra chances to win prizes and participate in second-chance promotions.
The Maryland Lottery and Baltimore Ravens partnered to create the first Ravens Scratch-Off in 2009.

Players have won amazing prizes, ranging from traveling with the team to away games to Ravens season tickets for 20 years.
Paul McNabb became the Maryland Lottery’s first millionaire in 1973.

The Lottery has awarded $31.5 billion in prizes since its inception.
The Maryland Lottery Pick 3 game started in 1976 with 300 retailers.

The Lottery now offers Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5 drawings twice daily.
Maryland opened the first of six casinos in September 2010.

Since 2010, Maryland's casinos have generated more than $4.6 billion for the Education Trust Fund.
In Dec. 2021, Marylanders welcomed the arrival of sports wagering with the opening of five sportsbooks.

Contributions from sports wagering go to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Fund, which supports public education in Maryland.

Where the Money Goes

The Maryland Lottery paid more than

The Lottery is proud to fulfill our mission of generating revenue to support the state’s good causes for five decades.

Historical Photos

LandingPg_Drawing Mobile PG Plaza Hyattsville 6-20-74

50th Anniversary Perspectives

Former Maryland Lottery Executives gather to commemorate the 50th Anniversary and share stories about how the organization has grown to support the good causes of the State of Maryland.