Marylanders can set up online subscriptions for popular draw games like Powerball and Mega Millions at the official MD Lottery site. Several different plans are available, ranging from 13 weeks to 52 weeks, if you set up a My Lottery Rewards account.
This guide breaks down the various options available to anyone interested in playing online lottery games in Maryland. We will explain which games you can play online and which games need to be played in person at a licensed lottery retailer. You will also discover how to claim your prize if you win.
Options for purchasing lottery tickets online in Maryland
You will need to set up a My Lottery Rewards account if you would like to purchase lottery tickets online in Maryland. This allows you to set up subscriptions to four games:
- Powerball
- Mega Millions
- Cash4Life
- Multi-Match
Marylanders cannot buy individual lottery tickets online the way they can in other states with online lottery options. The MD Lottery site does not sell tickets or offer instant win games. Online lottery courier services like Jackpocket and Lotto.com are also currently prohibited in Maryland.
The minimum subscription available at the MD Lottery site is a 13-week plan covering 91 Cash4Life drawings, 39 Powerball drawings, 26 Mega Millions drawings, and 26 Multi-Match Drawings.
Rules and regulations
The Maryland State Lottery & Gaming Control Agency regulates all lottery games in the Old Line State. The agency has strict regulations to protect consumers and ensure a fair gaming experience.
These are the key rules to consider before setting up a My Lottery Rewards account:
- Marylanders must be 18 or older to buy lottery tickets.
You must have a Maryland mailing address to purchase online subscriptions on the MD Lottery site. That means players in neighboring states cannot set up online subscriptions for MD Lottery games.
How to set up online lottery subscriptions in Maryland
It is easy to set up subscriptions for draw games online in Maryland. Follow these steps:
Visit the Maryland Lottery website and click the “Register” button. Provide your name and address. Remember that you need a Maryland mailing address in order to create a My Rewards Account.
Enter your phone number, date of birth, and gender. Select your email communication preferences.
Type in your email address and create a password. Agree to the terms of use and hit “Register” to submit the form.
You should be approved automatically if you entered your personal details correctly. When your My Lottery Rewards account is ready, select the “Subscriptions” tab.
Select your game, choose your numbers, and decide how long you would like the subscription to run. The minimum is 13 weeks, and the maximum is 52 weeks.
Complete the form, print it out, and mail it along with your payment to Maryland Lottery Subscriptions, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 330, Baltimore, MD 21230.
The form includes a barcode, which the MD Lottery will scan. You will then receive an email confirming that your subscription has been activated. Players can then renew their subscriptions anytime by selecting the “Extend Subscription” tab.
Payment options
You will need to send a check or money order along with your subscription form to the MD Lottery Subscriptions address. The check or money order must cover the full cost of the subscription. Do not send cash.
Players can track prizes by visiting the “Wins Account” section of your My Lottery Rewards account. When they exceed $100, you will receive a check by mail. If you win over $600, you will receive instructions on claiming your prize.
Prizes worth up to $5,000 can be claimed in person at licensed lottery retailers that are part of the Expanded Cashing Authority Program. If you win up to $25,000, you can claim your prize at the casino cage at these locations:
- Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore (Baltimore City)
- MGM National Harbor
- Live! Casino in Hanover
- Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin
- Hollywood in Perryville
- Rocky Gap Casino in Flintstone (Allegany County)
Prizes exceeding $25,000 must be claimed at the Maryland Lottery headquarters at 1800 Washington Boulevard in Baltimore. You will need to schedule an appointment in advance, as walk-ins will not be accepted.
Fees
There are no fees for setting up online lottery ticket subscriptions via a My Lottery Rewards account in Maryland. You will pay the standard price for your tickets, and there are no ongoing charges.
Promotions and Bonuses
The Maryland Lottery offers a wide range of bonuses and promotions. Most are available to all lottery players, but some can only be claimed if you hold a My Lottery Rewards account.
You will not receive a welcome bonus for creating an account, but these are some examples of the ongoing promos you will be offered:
- Enter $10 Powerball tickets purchased at Sheetz into My Lottery Rewards for a chance to win up to $1,500 in Sheetz gas cards.
- Win up to $100,000 via second-chance drawings.
- Purchase $6 worth of Racetrax tickets for $5.
- Earn cash rewards each time the Orioles hit a home run via a Home Run Riches promo.
- Win a home theater package, Samsung smartphones, a luggage set, a two-night getaway to Annapolis, or a gift card bundle via prize draws.
Visit the “Promotions” section of the MD Lottery site for details of the promos and bonuses running at any given time.
You will also earn rewards points by entering any draw game tickets and unsuccessful scratch-off tickets into your My Lottery Rewards account. When you have racked up enough rewards points, you can visit the “Redeem” section of the MD Lottery site to buy items with them. Items include electronics, clothes, gift cards, kitchenware, sportswear, luggage, gift cards, and much more.
Online lottery games available in Maryland
You can only set up subscriptions for four lottery draw games online in Maryland:
Subscriptions can run for 13 weeks, 26 weeks, or 52 weeks. Powerball is drawn three times per week, equating to 39 drawings, 78 drawings, or 156 drawings, respectively. Tickets cost $2, but you can add a Power Play option for an extra $1.
Players can subscribe for 13 weeks (26 drawings) or 26 weeks (52 drawings). Tickets also cost $2 for this multi-state draw game, which covers 45 states. The jackpot starts at $40 million and increases progressively until someone wins.
You can set up subscriptions for 13 weeks (91 drawings), 26 weeks (182 drawings), or 52 weeks (365 drawings) for this daily draw game. The top prize is $1,000 per day for life, and tickets cost $2.
This is an in-house draw game from the MD Lottery. Tickets cost $2, and you can then play 18 numbers with four simple ways to match and win. The jackpot starts at $500,000 and increases each time it isn’t won. This game takes place twice per week, and you can set up subscriptions for 13 weeks (26 drawings), 26 weeks (52 drawings), or 52 weeks (104 drawings).
Lottery games you cannot play online in Maryland
Most lottery games can only be played in person in Maryland. There are more than 4,400 licensed lottery retailers in the Old Line State, and the MD Lottery’s retailer locator page helps you find participating stores in your neighborhood.
These are the MD Lottery games that you can only play in person:
- Pick 5
- Pick 4
- Pick 3
- Bonus Match 5
- Keno
- Racetrax
- Fast Play
- Cash Pop
- Scratch-offs
Is it safe to play the lottery online in Maryland?
Yes, it is absolutely safe to play the lottery online in Maryland. The MD Lottery site uses advanced firewalls and encryption to safeguard your details. Just make sure you set up a strong, unique password, and do not share it with anyone.
Your funds will never be stored online. The MD Lottery only accepts payments via a check or money order, and players are advised to refrain from sending cash in the mail. You can keep track of your wins online, but any prizes will be sent via a check through US mail, which is a secure process.
What do Maryland’s lottery proceeds support?
Maryland’s lottery proceeds are transferred to the Maryland General Fund. This fund is used for a wide array of public services and programs, including education and public health and safety.
In fiscal year 2024, lottery sales in Maryland reached $2.732 billion. More than $1.7 billion was returned to players in the form of prizes. Operating expenses and retailer commissions were deducted, and $657.4 million was then contributed to the state’s General Fund.
Responsible gambling resources available for Maryland Residents
The MD Lottery site has a dedicated section on responsible play. You will find tips on how to enjoy lottery games responsibly, plus educational videos and detailed information to help you understand your odds of winning.
Maryland Lottery and Gaming runs a voluntary exclusion program. This allows you to exclude yourself from playing MD Lottery games and visiting the state’s casinos and electronic instant bingo halls. You can choose a two-year exclusion or a lifetime exclusion.
If you need support, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Calls to this 24/7 helpline are strictly confidential. You can find additional resources and links to treatment providers at these sites:
A brief history of iLottery in Maryland
The Maryland Lottery was established in 1972 after voters approved a constitutional amendment. Tickets for the first game, Twin Win, went on sale in May 1973. Three years later, scratch-offs were sold for the first time.
Online lottery subscriptions have been available since 2011. Players can only subscribe to four draw games, and you still need to send in the form by mail.
In February 2024, Delegate Edith Patterson filed HB 1218, a bill seeking to “allow a person to purchase a state lottery ticket through an electronic device that connects to the internet.” If the bill had passed, it would have allowed the Maryland Lottery to sell individual lottery tickets online.
The bill, co-sponsored by Delegate Diana Fennell and Delegate Anne Kaiser, was considered in the House Ways and Means Committee. However, it died in committee when the legislative session ended, and it is not yet clear if Delegate Patterson will renew her efforts to expand Maryland’s iLottery program in the future. If so, she will need to garner support from a larger group of legislative colleagues.
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