A collaborative effort by Maryland Lottery and Gaming and two other state agencies has produced a set of informational videos that spotlight responsible gambling and the related resources available to Maryland residents.
The videos arrive just in time for Responsible Gaming Education Month, a campaign sponsored each September by the American Gaming Association that aims to advance public understanding of safer gambling.
Maryland Lottery and Gaming worked with the Maryland State Ad Agency (MSAA) and the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling to create four “Mindful Gambling” videos with messages aimed at youths, seniors, military personnel and residents of rural communities.
The videos are available to view on the Responsible Play page of mdlottery.com, which also includes a series of “Fact or Myth?” questions about lottery games and additional information and links to resources.
“Emphasizing responsible play will always be an important part of our work,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin. “We’re eager to draw attention to the video series in conjunction with Responsible Gaming Education Month. But this is a year-round endeavor for us, and we’re proud to have partnered on this project with MSAA and the Center of Excellence.”
Maryland Lottery and Gaming helped to develop the video scripts, and MSAA provided the audio and video production facilities and post-production work. Peer recovery specialists from the Center of Excellence appeared in the videos to provide their insights about how problem gambling affects vulnerable populations.
“We wanted to create messages that raised awareness about some of the groups who are most at risk of gambling-related harm,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming’s Responsible Gambling Program Director Jasmine Countess. “The Center’s peer counselors are an excellent resource and have a lot of useful knowledge to share.”
The Center of Excellence has five peer recovery specialists who have lived-experience with disordered gambling. They are the first point of contact for Marylanders who call the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline number, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Maryland residents have access to confidential counseling at no cost, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
“People who call the helpline may see gambling as a financial solution or an escape from difficulties in their life,” said William Hinman, a peer support specialist and the peer supervisor for the Center, who appears in one of the videos. “Sometimes they gamble as a way of coping with mental health challenges or substance use disorder. We can relate because we’ve been there, so we start by sharing some of our own experiences so they know they aren’t alone or being judged. And then we see if we can help them find a better solution to whatever they’re facing.”
Maryland Lottery and Gaming has made responsible gaming a priority in its day-to-day operations. From 2015-2022, the Lottery advanced through all four levels of certification offered by the World Lottery Association, which has an internationally recognized framework of responsible gambling standards.
In April 2025, the Lottery was recognized at the top level of the Responsible Gambling Verification Program co-sponsored by the National Council on Problem Gambling and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries. Evaluators from the two organizations recognized the Lottery for exceeding the standards of the verification program, which required the documentation of efforts in employee training; retailer training; public education and awareness; product oversight; research; and advertising.
