Mr. John Martin, Director of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, served as the featured speaker at the Southern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce (SACC) March General Membership Luncheon, held at Green Hill Country Club in Quantico, Maryland.
Appointed in 2021 by Governor Larry Hogan, Martin oversees an agency of approximately 350 employees responsible for regulating and administering the Maryland Lottery, six casinos, 23 sports wagering platforms, and 14 fantasy sports competition operators.
During his presentation, Martin highlighted the agency’s significant economic impact. In fiscal year 2025, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency generated nearly $1.6 billion in revenue to support vital state programs and services, including education, public health, public safety, and environmental initiatives.
Speaking about the Maryland Lottery’s role in supporting small businesses, Martin emphasized its importance to local retailers. “Seventy percent of the state’s 4,400 lottery retailers are mom-and-pop small businesses, not corporate entities,” he noted.
Martin also discussed the contributions of Maryland’s six casinos, which collectively employ approximately 6,500 individuals statewide. He underscored their role in funding education, stating, “Thirty-one percent of casino revenues allocated to the state are directed to the Maryland Education Trust Fund.”
Addressing the rapid growth of sports wagering, Martin explained that Maryland has seen a strong shift toward mobile platforms. “Ninety-seven percent of all sports wagers placed in Maryland are made through handheld devices,” he said, noting that this trend reflects a broader national pattern. Revenue generated from sports wagering supports the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the state’s comprehensive education reform initiative, originally developed by the Kirwan Commission.
Martin concluded his remarks with a question-and-answer session, where he addressed topics of public interest, including lottery payouts. “Approximately 64 percent of lottery revenue is returned to players in the form of prizes,” he explained. “This is consistent with most state lotteries across the United States.”
The 2026 Maryland General Assembly Post Legislative Session Forum, featuring the mid and lower Eastern Shore Legislative Delegation, will be held on Thursday, April 16th, 11:30 at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. The luncheon is present by presented by Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Tickets include a full buffet lunch and are $35 for members, $45 for non-members. Register at salisburyarea.com.
