# COMAR Title 36 — Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency

## Subtitle 09 — Online Fantasy Competition

### Chapter 05 — Responsible Gambling

**Authority:** State Government Article, §§9-1D-01, 9-1D-02, 9-1D-03, and 9-1D-05, Annotated Code of Maryland; Ch. 853, Acts of 2018

**Administrative History:** Effective date:

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 amended and recodified from COMAR 36.09.01.06 as an emergency provision effective December 16, 2021 (49:3 Md. R. 137); amended permanently effective May 30, 2022 (49:11 Md. R. 610)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .01 amended effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 657)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02 adopted as an emergency provision effective December 16, 2021 (49:3 Md. R. 137); adopted permanently effective May 30, 2022 (49:11 Md. R. 610)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .02 amended effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 657)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03 adopted as an emergency provision effective December 16, 2021 (49:3 Md. R. 137); adopted permanently effective May 30, 2022 (49:11 Md. R. 610)

**Administrative History:** Regulation .03 amended effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 657)

#### Regulation .01 Direct Exclusion Through Fantasy Competition Operator.

*COMAR 36.09.05.01*

A. An individual may request exclusion from fantasy competition play by submitting to the operator a self-exclusion request using a self-exclusion tool provided by the operator on its website.

B. An operator shall implement and prominently display procedures for players to self-exclude themselves.

C. Self-excluded persons may not collect a prize or recover a loss.

D. A request for self-exclusion from a fantasy competition may result in exclusion from other gaming platforms that the operator offers.

E. A request for exclusion submitted to an operator:

  (1) Is not a request to be placed on the Commission’s Voluntary Exclusion List for participating in fantasy competitions under COMAR 36.01.03;

  (2) Will not result in inclusion on the Commission's Voluntary Exclusion List for participating in fantasy competitions; and

  (3) Is not administered or maintained by the Commission.

#### Regulation .02 Responsible Gaming Plan.

*COMAR 36.09.05.02*

A. An operator shall establish a responsible gaming plan that includes at least the following elements:

  (1) Goals;

  (2) Procedures and deadlines for implementation;

  (3) Identification of personnel responsible for implementation;

  (4) Responsibilities of personnel identified as responsible for implementation;

  (5) Training for personnel on problem gambling and identifying compulsive play;

  (6) Means of educating fantasy competition players about:

    (a) Problem gambling, including compulsive play; and

    (b) Problem gambling treatment resources, including treatment and prevention programs;

  (7) Placement of responsible gambling awareness materials on the fantasy competition platform; and

  (8) Any other element required by the Commission.

B. An operator shall submit to the Commission the responsible gaming plan required under §A of this regulation for review and approval.

C. An operator shall submit any amendments to a responsible gaming plan to the Commission prior to implementation.

D. An operator shall submit to the Commission an annual report describing the operation of the responsible gaming plan.

#### Regulation .03 Fantasy Competition Operator Responsibilities.

*COMAR 36.09.05.03*

A. An operator shall:

  (1) Prevent the participation in fantasy competitions by individuals who have self-excluded themselves from participating in a fantasy competition; and

  (2) Train employees on compulsive play.

B. If an individual is directly self-excluded or on the Commission’s Voluntary Exclusion List for fantasy competition play, an operator may not:

  (1) Market a fantasy competition by phone, text, email; or

  (2) Knowingly direct any form of individually targeted advertisement or marketing material to the individual.