All month long in March, the N.C. Education Lottery will highlight its Play Smart™ program to help ensure when North Carolinians play the lottery it doesn’t become more than a game.

Play Smart features a player-focused, responsible gaming and prevention program. Throughout the month, the lottery will raise awareness about the program through advertising, marketing, social media, and communication channels, including weekly Play Smart activities to share winning tips and strategies to keep lottery play fun.

“An important part of our mission in raising money for education is to ensure that when North Carolinians play the lottery they play smart,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “Playing the lottery should be for fun and our Play Smart program helps to keep it that way.”

The play and earn activities focus on Play Smart principles, found at nclottery.com/PlaySmart, and provide:
• Information to help players understand how odds and probability work and dispel popular lottery myths.
• Tips and tools on how to set up a budget for lottery play and setting time and spending limits when playing.
• A 10-question quiz designed to help players see how their gaming habits can impact their lives.

The lottery’s efforts support national Problem Gambling Awareness Month organized by the National Council on Problem Gambling to increase public awareness that free treatment and recovery services are available for anyone impacted by problem gambling. In North Carolina, those services are provided by the N.C. Problem Gambling Program with the support of $1 million each year by the state lottery.

In a proclamation issued Friday, Gov. Roy Cooper urged North Carolinians to join in the observance of March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

“Just like with other activities, gambling is not risk free, but recovery from problem gambling is possible,” said Amanda Winters, administrator of the N.C. Problem Gambling Program. “Problem Gambling Awareness Month is about helping others, reducing stigma and connecting people to treatment services near them.”

Help is only a text or click away.
• Text morethanagamenc to 53342
• Chat online at morethanagame.nc.gov
• Call toll-free at (877) 718-5543

For more information on the national campaign, visit www.ncpgambling.org.