History of Maryland Lottery in Timeline

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency (MLGCA) is an independent agency within the Maryland government. It oversees the Maryland Lottery's operations and acts as the regulatory body for casinos, sports wagering, and related gaming activities in Maryland. The MLGCA is responsible for ensuring the integrity and fairness of these gaming programs.

1972: Constitutional amendment approved to begin lottery

In 1972, citizens of Maryland approved a constitutional amendment to begin a government-run lottery.

January 2, 1973: Maryland Lottery began

On January 2, 1973, the Maryland Lottery began operations with 94 employees, 3,800 sales agents, and 51 banks.

May 15, 1973: Twin Win game went on sale

On May 15, 1973, the first game, Twin Win, went on sale to the public.

May 24, 1973: First Twin Win drawing

May 24, 1973, marked the date of the first drawing for the Twin Win game.

February 10, 1976: Scratch-offs became available

On February 10, 1976, Scratch-off tickets, which would become the Lottery's best-selling game, were introduced.

July 1976: Pick 3 introduced

In July 1976, the Pick 3 lottery game was introduced.

April 1983: Pick 4 began

In April 1983, the Pick 4 lottery game began.

January 1993: Keno introduced

In January 1993, Keno was introduced, initially played only at Lottery retailers equipped with monitors.

September 1995: Bonus Match 5 introduced

In September 1995, Maryland introduced the Bonus Match 5 game.

1996: Maryland helped launch The Big Game

In 1996, Maryland helped launch The Big Game, which would later become Mega Millions.

1999: Keno expanded to Keno Bonus

In 1999, Keno expanded to Keno Bonus.

2002: Bonus Match 5 returned; Mega Millions became official

In 2002, Bonus Match 5 returned after ending in 1998; also, The Big Game officially became Mega Millions.

November 2005: Maryland Lottery signed deal with Scientific Games

In November 2005, the Maryland Lottery signed an $81 million deal with Scientific Games.

August 2006: Racetrax began; Multi-Match replaced Maryland Lotto

In August 2006, Racetrax, a Tabcorp International product, began; Maryland Lotto was replaced by Multi-Match.

2007: Bill passed allowing video lottery terminals

In 2007, the Maryland government passed a bill allowing 15,000 video lottery terminals in five locations throughout Maryland.

November 2008: Commission assumed responsibility for regulating casino gaming

In November 2008, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission assumed responsibility for regulating casino gaming in Maryland.

August 2009: Racetrax became Racetrax Bonus; Keno Super Bonus launched

In August 2009, Racetrax became Racetrax Bonus, and Keno expanded to Keno Super Bonus.

January 2010: Maryland joined Powerball

As part of the January 2010 cross-sell expansion, Maryland joined Powerball.

2010: Maryland's first casino opened

Maryland's first casino opened in 2010.

March 2012: Maryland player won share of Mega Millions jackpot

In March 2012, a Maryland player won a one-third share of a $656 million Mega Millions jackpot.

June 2012: Revenue generated by video lottery terminals

As of June 2012, video lottery terminals at the three casinos had generated over $297 million in revenue.

January 26, 2016: Maryland joined multi-state Cash4Life

On January 26, 2016, Maryland joined the multi-state Cash4Life lottery.

May 2021: Commission assumed responsibility for regulating sports wagering

In May 2021, with the enactment of the state's sports wagering law, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission also assumed responsibility for regulating sports wagering in Maryland.