RALEIGH – The N.C. Education Lottery has received the World Lottery Association’s (WLA) Level 4 recertification for its commitment to building the best practices in responsible gaming into all of its operations.

Only a few lotteries worldwide have achieved Level 4 certification by the WLA, the highest level possible under the association’s strict responsible gaming standards. The lottery has achieved this certification twice.

“This is a great achievement for not only the lottery but for our players” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “It shows that we are world leader in operating responsibly, providing our players with everything they need to enjoy the experience, make informed decisions and play the games how they are meant to be played – for fun.”

In 2017, the NCEL became the fourth U.S. lottery and youngest lottery to reach the top international standards of operating responsibly. To qualify, every few years gaming organizations who have achieved the first three levels must prove to a panel of independent, social responsibility experts that its organization-wide operations continue to improve, meeting standards of excellence in responsible gaming.

The lottery did so successfully, with the panel praising its commitment for the creation of the award-winning player education and prevention program, Play Smart™, and improvements made across the organization in areas like retailer and employee training, game development and design, and advertising and marketing.

“The N.C. Education Lottery has demonstrated a strong management commitment and has dedicated significant resources in the development of its responsible gaming program,” the panel said. “The program in place is solid.”

In keeping with the tradition of high-quality work in this area, the lottery recently received national attention for its work in social responsibility. The National Council of Problem Gambling awarded the lottery three national awards for its outstanding work in problem and responsible gambling, winning awards for:

• Best Corporate Public Awareness Campaign,
• Best Corporate Website,
• Best Holiday Responsible Gaming Campaign.

For more information about the lottery’s responsible gaming program, click on the “Play Smart” section of the lottery’s website.