The North Carolina Education Lottery has achieved again the highest level of certification from the World Lottery Association for the continuous improvement of best practices in the lottery’s responsible gaming program.

Only a few lotteries worldwide have achieved the Level 4 certification, the highest level possible under the association’s strict standards in its Responsible Gaming Framework. The lottery has achieved this certification now three times.

“This achievement demonstrates that our lottery remains committed to doing the right thing by our players and our state,” said Mark Michalko, chief executive officer of the N.C. Education Lottery. “As we expand our sales and our games, both in stores and online, it is essential that we sustain those efforts through the continuous improvement of our responsible gaming program.”

The achievement was announced Wednesday at a meeting of the North Carolina State Lottery Commission. The lottery first achieved the top certification in 2017, becoming at that time the fourth U.S. lottery and youngest lottery to reach that level, and retained the certification in 2021.

To qualify, lotteries must undergo an assessment that is reviewed by a panel of independent, social responsibility experts. The assessment and review certify that the lottery not only continues to meet standards of excellence in responsible gaming in 10 key elements but also continues to improve. The certification last for three years.

“NCEL has continued to enhance and improve its responsible gambling mandate and, today, boasts a world-class program that is fully integrated into all operational areas,” the review found.

In recertifying the lottery this year, the panel cited its efforts to keep its award-winning player education and prevention program, Play Smart™, fresh and engaging for players with enhancements that launched in August on a new website, NCPlaySmart.com. The enhancements included tips and tools, engaging educational video content, and games designed to help players make winning decision that keep play fun and healthy.

The review also commended the lottery for its efforts to expand partnerships with the problem gambling community, its expansion of stakeholder engagement, and the integration of responsible gaming into its new digital instants program and in its regulation of sports betting operators in the state.