![[photo, Montgomery Park Business Center, 1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/14doe/images/1198-1-654.jpg)
Formed by constitutional amendment in 1972, the State Lottery Agency began operation on January 2, 1973 (Chapter 365, Acts of 1972, ratified November 7, 1972). The State Lottery Agency oversees the Maryland State Lottery. Lottery tickets are sold and cashed at licensed retail establishments throughout Maryland. These lottery agents are private businesses that receive commissions and fees to sell the games to the public. Transactions are conducted through terminals connected to a computerized on-line real-time system.
Revenues from the State Lottery are deposited in the General Fund of the State Treasury for the use of Maryland government. Lottery income is the State's third largest source of revenue, after income taxes and sales taxes.
Montgomery Park Business Center, 1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, Maryland, February 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Mega Millions (formerly The Big Game). Mega Millions is a multi-state game with multi-million dollar jackpots that start at $12 million. Players select six numbers: five out of 56 and one Gold Mega Ball number out of 46. Winning numbers are drawn on Tuesday and Friday evenings; the game costs $1 to play. California, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, and Washington also participate in this game. A portion of the proceeds from Mega Millions is designated for the Maryland Stadium Authority.
Multi-Match (formerly Lotto). The Agency conducts semi-weekly drawings for Multi-Match (a lotto-style, pick 6-of-43 game). The game offers a minimum jackpot of $500,000.
Prizes. Prizes of $600 or less may be claimed through any Lottery retail location. Winning tickets up to $5,000 can be cashed at Agent Plus retail locations. Winning tickets of any amount may be redeemed at the Maryland State Lottery Claim Centers in Baltimore and Lanham. Retail locations also provide how-to-play brochures and other game information.
The Director of the Agency is appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-101 through 9-125). With the approval of the State Lottery Commission and the Legislative Policy Committee of the Maryland General Assembly, the Director of the State Lottery Agency may enter into agreements to operate multijurisdictional lotteries with any other political entity outside the state or outside the United States, or with a private licensee of a state or other nation (Chapter 449, Acts of 2002).
Within the State Lottery Agency are five divisions: Administration, Finance, and Operations; Information Technology; Procurement and Minority Business Enterprise; Creative Product Services and Communications; and Sales. The Agency also is aided by the State Lottery Commission.
In November 2008, the Commission assumed responsibility for regulating the operation of video lottery terminals (slot machines) in Maryland (Chapter 4, Acts of 2007 Special Session).
The Division oversees four sections: All Products; Communications; Creative Services; and Publications.
ALL PRODUCTS
COMMUNICATIONS
Communications oversees Lottery drawing operations and functions, including: public and media relations; public affairs; second-chance drawings; promotions and special events; website services; and VIP Club initiatives. Annual reports, newsletters, and special publications are produced by the Division.
Under Communications are three units: Lottery Drawings; Promotions and Special Events; and Public Affairs.
CREATIVE SERVICES
Under the Division, Creative Services develops advertising strategies to achieve the Lottery Agency's sales and revenue objectives. It evaluates the effectiveness of advertising in terms of reach, frequency, and impression on audiences. Advertising time and space for jackpot announcements, product introductions, promotions, and winner awareness are purchased by this section. To inform consumers about Lottery products, promotions, and programs, the section manages the development and production of advertising materials for television, radio, and print media, as well as at retail sales outlets.
Three units are directed by the Division: On-Line Gaming System Management; Operations; and Systems and Programming.
This division oversees Corporate Sales, and Regional Sales.
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STATE LOTTERY COMMISSION
The State Lottery Commission serves as an advisory board to the State Lottery Agency. The Commission's nine members are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. The Governor also appoints a liaison member from the Maryland Racing Commission (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-104 through 9-106; Chapter 4, Acts of 2007 Special Session).
ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE & OPERATIONS DIVISION
Under the Administration, Finance and Operations Division are nine units: Administration and Operations; Agent Administration; Budget; Customer Resource Center; Facilities Management; Finance and Accounting; Human Resources; Security; and Warehouse Operations.
CREATIVE PRODUCT SERVICES & COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
In June 2005, the Product Development Division, the Creative Services Division, and the Research and Planning Division joined to form the Product Development, Creative Services and Research Division. In January 2008, the Communications Division was added to form the Product Development, Creative Services and Communications Division. In 2009, it received its present name.
Functions of All Products started with the Electronic Data Processing, Research and Development Division from which the Research and Planning Division emerged as a separate entity in 1997. In June 2005, when the Division combined with the divisions for product development and creative services, it reformed as a section called Strategic Products. In February 2008, it reorganized as All Products.
As the Public Affairs Division, Communications originated in 1997, and reformed as the Communications Division in 2001. In January 2008, it joined the Product Development, Creative Services and Research Division to form the Product Development, Creative Services and Communications Division.
In 2001, Creative Services was initiated as the Creative Services Division. It merged with the Product Development Division and the Research and Planning Division to form the Product Development, Creative Services and Research Division in June 2005.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
The Information Technology Division began as the Electronic Data Processing, Research and Development Division, and reorganized under its present name in 1997. The Division manages the operation of data processing systems that support Lottery gaming activities. It also provides technical assistance to the Agency, and develops and supports internal data systems, the local area network, and website infrastructure.
PROCUREMENT & MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE DIVISION
The Procurement and Minority Business Enterprise Division was created in June 2005. At that time, the Minority Business Enterprise Program transferred to the Division from the Research and Planning Division.
SALES DIVISION
The Sales Division began as the Marketing Division, reformed as the Marketing and Advertising Division in 1997, reverted to its original name - Marketing Division - in 1998, and adopted its present name in 2001. The Division works to maximize Lottery sales throughout Maryland. It recruits new outlets and ensures that all locations have sufficient products and materials available for players. The Division informs the public and Lottery agents about new games, and monitors the compliance of retailers with Lottery Agency regulations.
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e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us