The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency kicked off its annual “Gift Responsibly” campaign this week, urging adults not to buy lottery tickets for children during the holiday season and highlighting the expanded “Too Young to Bet” message in partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling.
The initiative, now in its rebranded form as the “Gift Responsibly / Too Young to Bet Campaign,” reminds Marylanders that lottery tickets and other forms of gambling are age-restricted products and should never be given as gifts to minors.
John Martin, director of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, said the effort reinforces rules already embedded in state law and lottery operations.
“Responsible play messages are part of all Lottery advertising, and we require all of the gambling operators we regulate to include them as well,” Martin said. “An important part of responsible play is understanding the age limits that are in place.”
Maryland law sets the minimum age at 18 to purchase or redeem lottery tickets or participate in daily fantasy sports. The legal age to enter a casino or place a sports wager is 21.
“We’re very careful about how Lottery tickets are designed and marketed in order to make sure that they don’t appeal to children,” Martin said. “We also ensure that gaming operators have robust processes in place to prevent underage participation.”
The campaign coincides with the holiday shopping period when scratch-off tickets and other instant games often appear in stockings or under trees. Officials stress that giving lottery products to anyone under 18 violates state law and can introduce minors to gambling at an early age.
This year the National Council on Problem Gambling broadened the scope beyond lottery tickets to include all forms of underage betting, reflecting growing concern about youth access to online sports wagering and other gaming options.
In April, the Maryland Lottery earned the highest possible certification — Level 4 — in the Responsible Gambling Verification Program administered jointly by the National Council on Problem Gambling and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries. The agency previously progressed through all four levels of the World Lottery Association’s responsible gambling framework from 2015 to 2022.
Jasmine Countess, the agency’s responsible gambling director, encouraged families to seek help if gambling concerns arise during the holidays.
“If you’re concerned about someone in your life who’s having issues around gambling — especially if it’s a young person — there is support available for free,” Countess said. “The Center of Excellence staff can help you figure out how to get the conversation started.”
Free, confidential assistance is available 24 hours a day through the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling. Residents can call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit mdgamblinghelp.org. Callers are connected to trained counselors, including peer recovery specialists with personal experience in gambling recovery.
The helpline and website also offer resources tailored to parents, educators, and young people, including conversation guides and information on recognizing warning signs of problem gambling.
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