Washington one of only a few states to achieve this milestone; Lottery evaluated in eight categories; achievement is culmination of years of work across three levels of certification
Olympia, WA (February 11, 2025) – Washington’s Lottery today announced that it has achieved the highest level of responsible gambling certification in the country. As acknowledged by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL), Washington’s Lottery officially was certified for “Responsible Gambling Verification Best Practices at the Sustaining Level” in December 2024, the culmination of a process that began with certification at the Planning Level in 2019 and Implementation Level in 2021.
Washington’s Lottery is only the third state lottery in addition to Virginia and Ohio to achieve this milestone. NCPG and NASPL also recognize nine other state lotteries that have achieved a similar certification through the World Lottery Association.
“I can’t begin to express how proud I am of the work our team has done to achieve this important standard,” said Kristi Weeks, Director of Legal Services for Washington’s Lottery. “We have a unique obligation as a state agency that sells a gambling product and need to balance the goal of raising money for important state initiatives like education with the need to acknowledge and assist the small percentage of players who may experience gambling-related distress. We take that work very seriously and weave it into all aspects of our jobs.”
To receive the Sustaining Level certification, Washington’s Lottery was evaluated by a team of four independent experts, who reviewed the lottery’s efforts in eight key categories related to responsible gambling: planning, employee training, retailer training, public education and awareness, product oversight, research, advertising, and resources.
“The key to our success has been the integration of responsible gambling initiatives into each and every employee’s position rather than centralizing it into only one or a few positions,” added Weeks.
In its evaluation report, one of the assessors noted that Washington’s Lottery “has done a great job weaving responsible gambling throughout the organization and normalizing it in day-to-day activities.”
To maintain its Sustaining Level certification, Washington’s Lottery will need to re-apply and be re-evaluated every three years.
For more information about how Washington’s Lottery advocates for responsible gambling year-round and supports prevention, treatment, and recovery resources, visit www.walottery.com/Responsibility. If you or someone you know is experiencing issues related to gambling, free and confidential help is available. For more information, visit the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling’s website at evergreencpg.org or call or text 1-800-547-6133.
About Washington’s Lottery: The state’s Lottery offers players several types of games, including Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, Hit 5, Match 4, Pick 3, Cash POP, Daily Keno and Scratch. For more information, visit www.walottery.com or find us on Facebook and Instagram at @walottery.
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Press Contacts
Dan Miller (Curator on behalf of Washington’s Lottery)
E-mail: dan.miller@curatorpr.com
Xiamara Garza (Curator on behalf of Washington’s Lottery)
E-mail: xiamara.garza@curatorpr.com