Maryland State Sen. Steve Hershey is urging Gov. Wes Moore to suspend state lottery sales if Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are disrupted due to the federal government shutdown.
Hershey highlighted that data consistently shows the greatest number of families receiving SNAP benefits reside in neighborhoods with the highest per capita Maryland Lottery sales, which also have the highest poverty rates in the state.
“Disproportionate in effect of those with less income that are actually playing the lottery, and yet again, because the government is selling down hope. They’re selling them a chance,” Hershey said. “You spent $2, maybe you’ll win $20.”
He described the Maryland Lottery as a voluntary tax and a state run chance of hope that should not benefit from those most impacted by a potential disruption in SNAP benefits.
“Keep in mind, over $2 billion a year on lottery sales, almost $3 billion now in lottery sales, of which about 25% of it is pure profit,” Hershey said.
SNAP benefits are expected to run out starting Saturday if Congress does not reach a deal to end the shutdown.
I’m reporting live on @wbalradio from outside @MDLottery HQs in #SouthBaltimore
on the @C4WBAL & @BryanNehman Show as @SenatorHershey is calling on @GovWesMoore to suspend ALL #MDLottery sales if there is a disruption in #SNAP benefits in the coming days w/the government shutdown pic.twitter.com/ZxhaQtufJ3
— Scott Wykoff (@ScottWykoffWBAL) October 29, 2025
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