Chapter 04. Common Provisions for All Lottery Games
Regulation .01 Governing Law and Rules.LinkCopy Citation
A.
By purchasing a ticket, a player agrees to comply with and abide by all:
(1)
Applicable laws and regulations;
(2)
Procedures implemented by the Director for conducting a lottery game;
(3)
Rules for that lottery game; and
(4)
Decisions of the Director.
B.
A multi-jurisdictional game shall be governed by:
(1)
Applicable law and regulations;
(2)
The rules, procedures, and other documents concerning that game as agreed to by the jurisdictions offering that game; and
(3)
Agency provisions regarding the purchase and claiming of a ticket.
C.
All decisions made by the Director shall be final and binding on players and on persons making claims.
Regulation .02 Ticket Purchaser Responsibilities.LinkCopy Citation
A.
At the time of purchase and if applicable, the purchaser of a ticket is responsible for verifying that the information printed on the ticket accurately reflects:
(1)
The game data that the purchaser wants to play if the purchaser selects their own game data; and
(2)
The drawing date and time, if applicable.
B.
The sole remedy for an inaccurate ticket shall be cancellation of that ticket, if permitted, as set forth in Regulation .04 of this chapter.
C.
To receive a prize, a person holding a winning ticket shall submit to an authorized claiming location the ticket and all necessary documentation for claiming within 182 days after the drawing date, the date of sale of a Fast Play game ticket, or the announced end of game.
Regulation .03 Methods of Purchase.LinkCopy Citation
A.
This regulation does not apply to instant ticket lottery machines under COMAR 36.02.09.
B.
Playslips and ePlayslips.
(1)
Playslips and ePlayslips are not valid as a receipt to claim a prize or proof of purchase of a ticket.
(2)
If a playslip or an ePlayslip may be used to play a draw game, the playslip or ePlayslip shall be available at no cost to the purchaser and may be used by the purchaser for selection of game data.
(3)
A playslip shall include instructions on how to complete the playslip.
(4)
If game play by playslip or ePlayslip is authorized and a playslip or an ePlayslip is unavailable, the retailer may manually enter into the terminal the game data selected by the player.
(5)
The Agency or a retailer may seize and destroy an invalid playslip.
C.
Purchase by Playslip Through Retailer.
(1)
If the player chooses to play by playslip, the player shall present a completed playslip to the retailer.
(2)
A player may play as many panels or play areas as are available on the playslip.
(3)
A player shall mark all necessary areas on the playslip.
(4)
If a player does not mark all necessary areas, the retailer shall return the playslip to the player or the terminal may select game data necessary to complete the playslip.
(5)
A playslip shall be manually marked and may not be marked by an electromechanical, electronic printing, or automated device.
(6)
A playslip marked by a method other than a method authorized by this section shall be invalid.
(7)
A ticket produced by an invalid playslip is invalid.
D.
Purchase by ePlayslip Through Retailer.
(1)
If the player chooses to play by ePlayslip, the player shall present a completed ePlayslip to the retailer.
(2)
A player may play as many panels or play areas as are available on the ePlayslip.
(3)
A player shall select all necessary areas on the ePlayslip.
E.
Purchase Using a Player-activated Terminal. If a game may be played using a player-activated terminal, the player shall:
(1)
Enter selections from the choices provided on the player-activated terminal screen; or
(2)
Insert a playslip or scan an ePlayslip.
F.
Purchase by Subscription.
(1)
Subscription Plans.
(a)
The Lottery may offer subscription plans.
(b)
The Director shall determine the price of a subscription plan.
(c)
The Director may reduce the price of a subscription plan for a specified number of drawings.
(d)
The Director may cancel a subscription and issue a refund for the subscription based on:
(i)
Game changes; or
(ii)
Ineligibility of a purchaser.
(2)
Application for a Subscription.
(a)
A player that wants to purchase a Lottery subscription shall be a resident of Maryland or have a Maryland address subscription.
(b)
If a game may be purchased by subscription, a subscription application shall:
(i)
Identify the game being played; and
(ii)
Require the purchaser to supply identifying information as determined by the Agency.
(c)
A subscription application shall allow the purchaser to designate:
(i)
The number of drawings or games to be played, or the length of the subscription; and
(ii)
If a game allows a player to select game data, the player’s decision to supply particular game data or to allow the system to select random game data.
(d)
A subscription application may require the player to provide any other information the Agency requires.
(3)
Group Subscription Applications.
(a)
An application for a subscription in the name of more than one person:
(i)
Is a group subscription;
(ii)
Shall designate a single group member to be the group manager;
(b)
The group manager shall be:
(i)
A Maryland resident or have a Maryland mailing address; and
(ii)
Authorized to be the sole recipient of prizes up to an amount determined by the Director.
(c)
An application for a group subscription shall include identifying information for each group member, as determined by the Agency.
(d)
The application for a group will only be accepted if the application is fully completed and all required information is provided about each group member.
(4)
Confirmation of Subscription. The Agency shall provide a subscription purchaser or, if a group purchaser, the group’s representative, a subscription confirmation email.
(5)
Subscription Play and Winning.
(a)
A subscription player shall be automatically entered in each drawing or game during the period when the subscription is active.
(b)
The Agency shall pay subscription prizes as provided for in COMAR 36.02.06.
(6)
The Agency may allow a subscription to be renewed.
Regulation .04 Cancellation of Tickets.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Draw Games.
(1)
Except as provided in §A(2) of this regulation, a draw game ticket may be canceled.
(2)
A draw game ticket may not be canceled in:
(a)
A multi-jurisdictional game;
(b)
Cash Pop; and
(c)
Multi-Match.
(3)
A ticket purchased at a player-activated terminal may not be canceled at the PAT, but an eligible ticket may be canceled at a non-PAT terminal at the retailer where the ticket was purchased.
(4)
The Director may determine during certain promotions that tickets may not be canceled.
(5)
A draw game ticket may be cancelled only:
(a)
By the same retailer from which the ticket was purchased;
(b)
On the day of purchase;
(c)
Before the designated cutoff time for the first drawing on the ticket; and
(d)
If allowed by the game rules.
(6)
Canceling a draw game ticket:
(a)
Voids the ticket;
(b)
Removes the ticket from the pool of tickets eligible for the drawing;
(c)
Renders the ticket ineligible for entry into a loyalty platform or program; and
(d)
Results in the ticket being invalid and not eligible to win a prize.
(7)
A retailer presented with a draw game ticket for cancellation shall cancel the ticket as authorized by this regulation.
(8)
When a retailer cancels a draw game ticket in accordance with this regulation, the retailer shall:
(a)
Ensure that the terminal issues a refund receipt in the amount of the purchase price of the ticket;
(b)
Keep the refund slip;
(c)
Keep the ticket; and
(d)
Pay the player a refund equal to the purchase price of the ticket.
(9)
The Agency is not obligated to pay a prize to the holder of a canceled ticket, even if the ticket was canceled in error.
B.
Instant Ticket Games. Unless the Director determines otherwise, an instant game ticket may not be canceled.
C.
Fast Play Games. A Fast Play game ticket may not be canceled.
Regulation .05 Liability Limits.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Scope.
(1)
This regulation applies to a lottery game.
(2)
This regulation does not apply to:
(a)
An instant ticket lottery machine game; or
(b)
A promotion.
B.
Definitions.
(1)
In this regulation, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(2)
Terms Defined.
(a)
“Pick Game” means a Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5 game.
(b)
“Prize cap” means an upper limit of prize liability beyond which fixed prizes are recalculated on a pari-mutuel basis.
(c)
“Promotional prize limit” means the maximum payout for a single play during a sales promotion
(d)
“Sales limit” means the dollar amount established by the Director at which winning tickets, if paid, would not be in the Agency’s best interests.
C.
Pick Games.
(1)
There is a liability limit for a Pick Game.
(2)
When the liability limit is reached for a number combination in a drawing, sales on the number combination are no longer permitted.
D.
Draw Games Other Than a Pick Game.
(1)
If the fixed prize amount multiplied by the number of winners exceeds the prize cap, prizes shall be calculated on a pari-mutuel basis.
(2)
A jackpot prize is determined on a pari-mutual basis.
E.
Except for a multi-jurisdictional game, the Director may establish or modify for each drawing of a game a:
(1)
Promotional prize limit;
(2)
Prize cap; or
(3)
Sales limit.
Regulation .06 Agency Not Liable.LinkCopy Citation
The Agency is not responsible or liable for:
A.
A ticket or entry that is lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed;
B.
A ticket redeemed by a retailer in error;
C.
A winning number repeated, reported, or displayed in error, including by television, media, or by any other form of communication;
D.
An outdated or incorrect playslip, ePlayslip, or consumer game information;
E.
A claim, liability, injury, or property loss of any kind arising out of a player’s, winner’s, guest’s, traveler’s, or any other person’s participation in:
(1)
A lottery game;
(2)
A promotion;
(3)
A drawing or a related event or occurrence; or
(4)
The award, receipt, possession, use, misuse, or acceptance of a prize;
F.
Negligence or breach of obligation of a person other than the Agency, its employees, officials, or members; or
G.
Payment of a ticket not in accordance with this subtitle.
Regulation .07 No Endorsement.LinkCopy Citation
By providing a prize or a portion of a prize from a company or other person, the Agency has not endorsed the company or other person.
Chapter annotations
Authority: State Government Article, §§9-103, 9-104, 9-109—9-111, 9-122, and 9-124, Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date: May 13, 2013 (40:9 Md. R. 790)
History: Regulation .01 amended effective May 26, 2025 (52:10 Md. R. 439)
History: Regulation .02A, B amended effective January 14, 2019 (46:1 Md. R. 13)
History: Regulation .02A, C amended effective May 26, 2025 (52:10 Md. R. 439)
History: Regulation .02C amended effective December 2, 2019 (46:24 Md. R. 1104)
History: Regulation .03 amended effective January 7, 2016 (42:26 Md. R. 1597); January 14, 2019 (46:1 Md. R. 13); May 26, 2025 (52:10 Md. R. 439)
History: Regulation .04 amended effective May 26, 2025 (52:10 Md. R. 439)
History: Regulation .04A amended effective January 14, 2019 (46:1 Md. R. 13)
History: Regulation .04C adopted effective December 2, 2019 (46:24 Md. R. 1104)
History: Regulation .05 amended effective May 26, 2025 (52:10 Md. R. 439)
History: Regulation .05C amended effective January 14, 2019 (46:1 Md. R. 13)
History: Regulation .06D amended effective January 7, 2016 (42:26 Md. R. 1597)
History: Regulation .06E amended effective May 26, 2025 (52:10 Md. R. 439)
History: Regulation .07 amended effective May 26, 2025 (52:10 Md. R. 439)
History: Regulation .08 repealed effective May 26, 2025 (52:10 Md. R. 439)