Maryland Lottery joins national Lottery Week celebration, July 15-19

The Maryland Lottery is joining its counterparts across North America July 15-19 in the inaugural observance of Lottery Week. Lotteries from the U.S. and Canada will be spend the week highlighting lotteries’ contributions to the communities they serve.

“We’re in the business of fun and games, but the Maryland Lottery also makes a serious contribution to our state’s economy,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director Gordon Medenica. “Lottery Week is an opportunity for us to tell our story – and it’s a good one.”

Across the U.S. in Fiscal Year 2018, lotteries combined to generate $23.4 billion for the good causes funded by state budgets, including public education, public health and safety, and programs for senior citizens and the environment. In addition, lotteries allocated $4.8 billion to their retail partners.

In FY 2018 in Maryland, nearly 96.7 percent of the $2.043 billion generated by the sale of lottery tickets went back into the state’s economy:

– Players won nearly $1.25 billion in prize money – an average of $3.4 million per day.
– Nearly $576 million supported the state’s good causes, providing vital funding for a wide range of state programs and services, including schools and public health and safety.
– Retailer commissions totaled nearly $154 million – an average of $34,000 per retailer.

The remaining portion – 3.3 percent of sales – supported lottery operations, providing direct and indirect employment through state government and Lottery contract partners.

The Maryland Lottery supports important local and statewide causes including the Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics, the Red Shoe Shuffle to benefit the Ronald McDonald House, and Barcstoberfest to benefit the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter. The Lottery is also committed to a message of positive play by promoting responsible gambling.

And, of course, the Maryland Lottery provides entertainment for our players, and is a regular presence in the community and across the state at more than 100 fairs, festivals, concerts and sporting events throughout the year. For more information throughout the week, visit mdlottery.com/lottery-week.

Since its inception in 1973, Maryland Lottery and Gaming has awarded more than $25.6 billion in prizes to Lottery players and more than $16 billion in Lottery revenue to the State of Maryland. One of Maryland’s largest revenue sources, the Lottery supports important state programs and services including education, public safety and health, human resources and the environment. For more information, go to mdlottery.com. Please remember to play responsibly and within your budget. For confidential help or information about gambling problems, visit mdgamblinghelp.org or call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Lottery Week is an initiative of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL), an industry organization that represents 52 lotteries in the U.S. and Canada. NASPL facilitates communication, education and professional development within the lottery industry, and serves as a united voice on common causes and issues.