History of the Missouri Lottery

The first lottery with cash prizes dates back to 1490, two years before Columbus set sail. Lotteries were authorized to raise money for the colonial army. In addition, a lottery helped put a roof on the United States Capitol. Lotteries also helped build educational institutions like Harvard, Yale and Princeton universities.

It wasn't until 1964 that the modern lottery era began in New Hampshire, and since that time, lotteries have brought more than $200 billion in revenues for a variety of state programs. Forty-two states and the District of Columbia currently have a lottery. For a complete historical timeline of lotteries, visit www.naspl.org.

On Nov. 6, 1984, Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved the Missouri Lottery by passing Amendment 5, which repealed a section of the state's constitution prohibiting a lottery. The measure passed with 70 percent of the vote, making the Missouri Lottery the 23rd lottery in the United States.

Missouri Lottery Timeline

1984
Nov. 6 Seventy percent of Missouri voters approve Amendment 5 to the state constitution, giving the Legislature the authority to establish a state lottery. Back to Top

1985
June 11 Missouri Senate Bill 44 passes, and the Lottery is born. Back to Top

1986
Jan. 20 The first Missouri Lottery sales begin with the instant game, "Jackpot '86." Feb. 13 Johnnie Magerl, a retired butcher from Kansas City, Kan., wins $2.1 million in the Lottery's "Jackpot!" wheel spin and becomes the Lottery's first millionaire. Oct. 1 Sales for Missouri's Lotto game begin with a minimum jackpot of $1 million. Back to Top

1987
Feb. 26 Pick 3 sales begin. Sept. 25 Missouri joins the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). Back to Top

1988
Jan. 5 The U.S. Supreme Court approves Lotto America (a MUSL game) sales. Feb. 3 Lotto America sales begin. Aug. 2 Voters approve Amendment 3, which lifts several Lottery restrictions, including those on advertising and the maximum prize payout. Back to Top

1990
May 10 Pull-Tabs sales begin. Back to Top

1992
Jan. 20 SuperCash sales begin. April 19 Powerball sales begin (replacing Lotto America). Aug. 4 Seventy-eight percent of Missouri voters approve Amendment 11 to earmark Lottery proceeds for public education. Back to Top

1993
July 1 Amendment 11 goes into effect. Oct. 30 Sales begin for the first $2 instant game, "Bingo." Back to Top

1994
June 21 The Lottery implements cross-redemption of tickets, allowing prizes up to $600 to be cashed at any Missouri Lottery retailer. Nov. 6 SHOW ME 5 sales begin. It replaces SuperCash. Back to Top

1995
March 12 Lotto adds the cash value option and a free Quick Pick play for matching three numbers. June 10 Dan and Elizabeth Greenwood of St. Louis win $4.4 million playing Lotto, making them the Lottery's 100th Lottery-made millionaires. Back to Top

1996
Jan. 20 The Missouri Lottery celebrates its 10th anniversary with the premiere of its "Fun & Fortune" television game show. Back to Top

1997
March 17 Lottery proceeds contributed to the state top $1 billion, and Missouri Lottery sales top $3 billion. Sept. 16 The first $3 instant game, "Set For Life," goes on sale. Nov. 2 Powerball changes include the addition of the cash value option. Dec. 1 The Missouri Lottery's Web site is launched (www.molottery.com). Dec. 17 The Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling is formed. Back to Top

1997

March 17: Lottery proceeds contributed to the state top $1 billion, and Missouri Lottery sales top $3 billion.
Sept. 16: The first $3 instant game, "Set For Life," goes on sale.
Nov. 2: Powerball changes include the addition of the cash value option.
Dec. 1: The Missouri Lottery's Web site is launched (www.molottery.com).
Dec. 17: The Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling is formed.; Back to Top

1998
Feb.16 A free-ticket prize is added for matching three numbers in Lotto. September The Luckytown brand campaign starts. Nov. 2 Pick 4 sales begin. Back to Top

1999
Aug. 11 The Lottery participates in the first Missouri Responsible Gaming Education Week. Nov. 11 Sales begin for the first $5 instant game, "Season's Greetings." Dec. 1 The Daily Game Sampler is introduced. It's a combination play of Pick 3, Pick 4 and SHOW ME 5 (now Show Me Cash). Back to Top

2000
Feb. 20 The first and only jackpot ticket to date to expire is a Lotto ticket worth $1.7 million sold in Springfield. March 17 The responsible gaming Web site, www.888betsoff.org, is launched. March 31 to June 30 The first temporary Numbers Game is introduced: $100K Triple Play. April 3 The winning numbers e-mail service starts. Aug. 7 The Lottery starts its first Web site player promotion, the Luckytown World Traveler promotion. Sept. 30 Three Lotto tickets -- the most ever to match -- win the jackpot. Oct. 8 Pick 3 and Pick 4 payouts increase to 60 percent of sales. Oct. 19 Lottery proceeds given to public education exceed $1 billion. Nov. 6 SHOW ME 5 changes to SHOW ME 5 Paydown. The top prize changes from $25,000 tax paid to $50,000 tax paid. Back to Top

2000

Feb. 20: The first and only jackpot ticket to date to expire is a Lotto ticket worth $1.7 million sold in Springfield.
March 17: The responsible gaming Web site, www.888betsoff.org, is launched.
March 31 to June 30: The first temporary Numbers Game is introduced: $100K Triple Play.
April 3: The winning numbers e-mail service starts.
Aug. 7: The Lottery starts its first Web site player promotion, the Luckytown World Traveler promotion.
Sept. 30: Three Lotto tickets -- the most ever to match -- win the jackpot.
Oct. 8: Pick 3 and Pick 4 payouts increase to 60 percent of sales.
Oct. 19: Lottery proceeds given to public education exceed $1 billion.
Nov. 6: SHOW ME 5 changes to SHOW ME 5 Paydown. The top prize changes from $25,000 tax paid to $50,000 tax paid.; Back to Top

2001
March 4 The Power Play promotional feature is added to Powerball. April 9 "Jumbo Bucks," the first Pull-Tab game with a $1,000 top prize, goes on sale. May 19 The Lottery starts publishing the odds, including free tickets and break-even prizes, on the back of Scratchers beginning with game 358, "Firecracker Cash." Back to Top

2002
Jan. 24 Lottery commission approves Club Keno. May 28 Club Keno sales begin. July 1 Redemption time for Lottery prizes goes from one year to 180 days. July 9 The last Fun & Fortune Game Show is taped. July 26 The first "Fun & Fortune Wheel Spin" is held in Jefferson City. Aug. 24 First $10 Scratchers game, "$300,000 Cash," goes on sale. Oct. 6 Powerball changes include new matrix (now 5 of 53), dropping the Power Play number "1," adding the new Match 5 bonus prize and changing the annuitized prize to a 30-year payout. Back to Top

2002

Jan. 24: Lottery commission approves Club Keno.
May 28: Club Keno sales begin.
July 1: Redemption time for Lottery prizes goes from one year to 180 days.
July 9: The last Fun & Fortune Game Show is taped.
July 26: The first "Fun & Fortune Wheel Spin" is held in Jefferson City.
Aug. 24: First $10 Scratchers game, "$300,000 Cash," goes on sale.
Oct. 6: Powerball changes include new matrix (now 5 of 53), dropping the Power Play number "1," adding the new Match 5 bonus prize and changing the annuitized prize to a 30-year payout.; Back to Top

2003
Jan. 16 The Missouri Lottery announces its role in the statewide Alert Missouri plan (now known as Missouri AMBER Alert). June 20 Lottery proceeds top $2 billion, with its monthly transfer to public education. July 9 Bill and Claudia Walkenbach of Hermann win half of the $261.3 million Powerball jackpot, becoming Missouri's largest prize winners at that time. They shared the jackpot with a ticket holder in Pennsylvania. Aug. 1 Final "Fun & Fortune" Wheel Spin is held in Jefferson City. Aug. 17 Bulls-Eye play feature is added to Club Keno. Sept. 22 The Lottery launches the My Lottery on-line membership player registration program. Oct. 12 The Xtra play feature is added to the daily Numbers Games. Back to Top

2003

Jan. 16: The Missouri Lottery announces its role in the statewide Alert Missouri plan (now known as Missouri AMBER Alert).
June 20: Lottery proceeds top $2 billion, with its monthly transfer to public education.
July 9: Bill and Claudia Walkenbach of Hermann win half of the $261.3 million Powerball jackpot, becoming Missouri's largest prize winners at that time. They shared the jackpot with a ticket holder in Pennsylvania.
Aug. 1: Final "Fun & Fortune" Wheel Spin is held in Jefferson City.
Aug. 17: Bulls-Eye play feature is added to Club Keno.
Sept. 22: The Lottery launches the My Lottery on-line membership player registration program.
Oct. 12: The Xtra play feature is added to the daily Numbers Games.; Back to Top

2004
July 19 Computerized drawings begin for Pick 3, Pick 4, SHOW ME 5 Paydown and Lotto. July 25 The Xtra play feature ends. July 26 Midday drawings for Pick 3, Pick 4 and SHOW ME 5 Paydown begin. Oct. 14 The Lottery introduces the first $2 Pull-Tab game, "Triple Win." Back to Top

2005
Jan. 3 The Marsh Martians of Owensville were named the Lottery's first Lottery Captain's Team of the Month. Jan. 11 Lottery begins delivering winning numbers via text messaging. Jan. 29 First $5 bingo game - "$100,000 Bingo" - starts. Feb. 1 The Lottery introduces the "Pick 3 Bonus Bucks Raffle," the Lottery's first raffle-style promotion. March 9 Gary DeHaven of Republic wins $1.4 million playing Lotto, making him the 200th Lottery-made millionaire. June 27 Triple digits are drawn in both Pick 3 drawings. Aug. 28 Powerball makes its fourth design change, which includes adding two more white balls for a total of 55, a new minimum jackpot of $15 million, a guaranteed growth of $5 million per draw, the second- and third-level prizes doubled and a graduated annuitized jackpot payout. Sept. 10 The $10 Scratchers game named "$100 Million Cash Spectacular" starts, offering more than $102.5 million in prizes. Sept. 12 Larry Jansen becomes the Missouri Lottery's fourth executive director. Sept. 16 Proceeds to the state, including education, top $2.5 billion with the Lottery's monthly transfer. Back to Top

2005

Jan. 3: The Marsh Martians of Owensville were named the Lottery's first Lottery Captain's Team of the Month.
Jan. 11: Lottery begins delivering winning numbers via text messaging.
Jan. 29: First $5 bingo game - "$100,000 Bingo" - starts.
Feb. 1: The Lottery introduces the "Pick 3 Bonus Bucks Raffle," the Lottery's first raffle-style promotion.
March 9: Gary DeHaven of Republic wins $1.4 million playing Lotto, making him the 200th Lottery-made millionaire.
June 27: Triple digits are drawn in both Pick 3 drawings.
Aug. 28: Powerball makes its fourth design change, which includes adding two more white balls for a total of 55, a new minimum jackpot of $15 million, a guaranteed growth of $5 million per draw, the second- and third-level prizes doubled and a graduated annuitized jackpot payout.
Sept. 10: The $10 Scratchers game named "$100 Million Cash Spectacular" starts, offering more than $102.5 million in prizes.
Sept. 12: Larry Jansen becomes the Missouri Lottery's fourth executive director.
Sept. 16: Proceeds to the state, including education, top $2.5 billion with the Lottery's monthly transfer.; Back to Top

2006
Jan. 20 The Missouri Lottery celebrates its 20th anniversary with its first raffle game, "20th Anniversary Dream Draw." Jan. 23 The Lottery offers the "Dream Draw Raffle" with a top prize of $200,000. Feb. 18 The Powerball jackpot reaches $365 million, the highest jackpot ever offered in Missouri. The prize is won with a ticket bought in Nebraska. April 22 The Lottery's second "mega" game, "Lifetime Riches," goes on sale, offering the largest instant prize to date ($50,000 a year for life) in the Lottery's history and the highest payout ever (75.62 percent). April 29 A St. Charles father and his two sons become the first Powerball players to become millionaires at the Match 5 level (by winning $200,000 and having the Power Play number of five for a total prize of $1 million). July 26 Mike and Susan Palmer of Ste. Genevieve become the first jackpot winners in Missouri to have a second jackpot win in their family when they win $5.5 million playing Lotto. Susan's father, Ernie Weiler, won $2.8 million playing Lotto on July 31, 2002. Back to Top

2006

Jan. 20: The Missouri Lottery celebrates its 20th anniversary with its first raffle game, "20th Anniversary Dream Draw."
Jan. 23: The Lottery offers the "Dream Draw Raffle" with a top prize of $200,000.
Feb. 18: The Powerball jackpot reaches $365 million, the highest jackpot ever offered in Missouri. The prize is won with a ticket bought in Nebraska.
April 22: The Lottery's second "mega" game, "Lifetime Riches," goes on sale, offering the largest instant prize to date ($50,000 a year for life) in the Lottery's history and the highest payout ever (75.62 percent).
April 29: A St. Charles father and his two sons become the first Powerball players to become millionaires at the Match 5 level (by winning $200,000 and having the Power Play number of five for a total prize of $1 million).
July 26: Mike and Susan Palmer of Ste. Genevieve become the first jackpot winners in Missouri to have a second jackpot win in their family when they win $5.5 million playing Lotto. Susan's father, Ernie Weiler, won $2.8 million playing Lotto on July 31, 2002.; Back to Top

2007
Jan. 2 The Lottery offers its first Design-A-Ticket contest, where players send in ideas for Scratchers tickets. Jan. 16 The Multiplier feature and the progressive jackpot are added to Club Keno. Jan. 24 The Wilson family from St. Louis wins $254 million playing Powerball - the largest Missouri Lottery jackpot to date. Jan. 31 The Lottery's third "mega" game, "$250,000 Mega Cash," goes on sale, offering up to 30 top prizes of $250,000. Aug. 17 Lottery proceeds since inception top $3 billion with the monthly transfer to public education. Sept. 26 The Lottery's fourth "mega" game, "100 Million Dollar Blockbuster," goes on sale. Nov. 12 The Lottery offers the "Million-Dollar Raffle" with a top prize of $1 million. Back to Top

2007

Jan. 2: The Lottery offers its first Design-A-Ticket contest, where players send in ideas for Scratchers tickets.
Jan. 16: The Multiplier feature and the progressive jackpot are added to Club Keno.
Jan. 24: The Wilson family from St. Louis wins $254 million playing Powerball - the largest Missouri Lottery jackpot to date.
Jan. 31: The Lottery's third "mega" game, "$250,000 Mega Cash," goes on sale, offering up to 30 top prizes of $250,000.
Aug. 17: Lottery proceeds since inception top $3 billion with the monthly transfer to public education.
Sept. 26: The Lottery's fourth "mega" game, "100 Million Dollar Blockbuster," goes on sale.
Nov. 12: The Lottery offers the "Million-Dollar Raffle" with a top prize of $1 million.; Back to Top

2008
Jan. 26 The Lottery introduces its first $20 Scratchers game, "4 Million Dollar Cash Bonanza," with the highest top prize ever - $4 million. June 20 The Lottery ends fiscal year 2008 transfers with the largest annual proceeds of $265,051,179. June 30 Fiscal year 2008 ends with the highest sales ever - $995,492,888. Sept. 8 SHOW ME 5 Paydown changes to Show Me Cash. Jackpots start at $50,000 and roll $5,000 per draw until the prize is won. Show Me Cash only has an evening draw. Nov. 17 The Lottery offers "Million-Dollar Raffle" for the second time. Back to Top

2008

Jan. 26: The Lottery introduces its first $20 Scratchers game, "4 Million Dollar Cash Bonanza," with the highest top prize ever - $4 million.
June 20: The Lottery ends fiscal year 2008 transfers with the largest annual proceeds of $265,051,179.
June 30: Fiscal year 2008 ends with the highest sales ever - $995,492,888.
Sept. 8: SHOW ME 5 Paydown changes to Show Me Cash. Jackpots start at $50,000 and roll $5,000 per draw until the prize is won. Show Me Cash only has an evening draw.
Nov. 17: The Lottery offers "Million-Dollar Raffle" for the second time.; Back to Top

2009
Jan. 4 Powerball makes the fifth design change, including a new minimum jackpot of $20 million, bigger jackpots, an automatic $1 million match five Power Play prize and better overall chances of 1 in 35.1. Jan. 31 The Lottery's second $20 game, "$200,000 a Year for Life," goes on sale. This is the Lottery's sixth "mega" game. Feb. 19 Captain Lotto makes his first Tweet March 2 Lucky Dough, a monitor game, sales begin. June 30 All Pull-Tab games officially end; 180-day redemption period starts. Aug. 29 The Lottery's seventh "mega" Scratchers game, "Mega MONOPOLY™," goes on sale. Oct. 1 Lottery launches the "Tools 4 School" promotion to highlight A+ Program and funding. Oct. 7 A Multistate agreement is made to cross-sell Powerball and Mega Millions. Dec. 9 May Scheve Reardon becomes the Missouri Lottery's fifth executive director. Back to Top

2009

Jan. 4: Powerball makes the fifth design change, including a new minimum jackpot of $20 million, bigger jackpots, an automatic $1 million match five Power Play prize and better overall chances of 1 in 35.1.
Jan. 31: The Lottery's second $20 game, "$200,000 a Year for Life," goes on sale. This is the Lottery's sixth "mega" game.
Feb. 19: Captain Lotto makes his first Tweet
March 2: Lucky Dough, a monitor game, sales begin.
June 30: All Pull-Tab games officially end; 180-day redemption period starts.
Aug. 29: The Lottery's seventh "mega" Scratchers game, "Mega MONOPOLY™," goes on sale.
Oct. 1: Lottery launches the "Tools 4 School" promotion to highlight A+ Program and funding.
Oct. 7: A Multistate agreement is made to cross-sell Powerball and Mega Millions.
Dec. 9: May Scheve Reardon becomes the Missouri Lottery's fifth executive director.; Back to Top

2010
Jan. 31 Missouri begins sell Mega Millions tickets. April 21 Chris Shaw of Marshall wins $258.5 million playing Powerball - the largest Missouri Lottery jackpot to date. June 7 Keno To Go is launched, making Club Keno available at all Numbers Games retailers. June 14 A Pevely man, Ernest Pullen, held the 300th Lottery ticket worth $1 million or more since the Lottery began in 1986. (He later becomes the first person to win two jackpot prizes in Missouri on Sept. 17, 2010) July 28 Club Keno drawings go to every four minutes; Lucky Dough ends. Aug. 20 The Lottery new web feature - maps to show proceeds expenditures, prize amounts and retailer commissions and incentives by county. Aug. 28 The Lottery introduces its first NFL games - "St. Louis Rams" and "Kansas City Chiefs." Sept. 8 The Lottery implements a new distribution packing system called Pick and Pack. Sept. 17 Ernest Pullen becomes the first player in Missouri to win a prize of $1 million or more twice. He won $1 million in June 2010 on a "100 Million Dollar Blockbuster" Scratchers ticket, and he won $2 million on Sept. 17, 2010, on a "Mega MONOPOLY" Scratchers ticket. He was also the Lottery's 300th jackpot winner. Back to Top

2010

Jan. 31: Missouri begins sell Mega Millions tickets.
April 21: Chris Shaw of Marshall wins $258.5 million playing Powerball - the largest Missouri Lottery jackpot to date.
June 7: Keno To Go is launched, making Club Keno available at all Numbers Games retailers.
June 14: A Pevely man, Ernest Pullen, held the 300th Lottery ticket worth $1 million or more since the Lottery began in 1986. (He later becomes the first person to win two jackpot prizes in Missouri on Sept. 17, 2010)
July 28: Club Keno drawings go to every four minutes; Lucky Dough ends.
Aug. 20: The Lottery new web feature - maps to show proceeds expenditures, prize amounts and retailer commissions and incentives by county.
Aug. 28: The Lottery introduces its first NFL games - "St. Louis Rams" and "Kansas City Chiefs."
Sept. 8: The Lottery implements a new distribution packing system called Pick and Pack.
Sept. 17: Ernest Pullen becomes the first player in Missouri to win a prize of $1 million or more twice. He won $1 million in June 2010 on a "100 Million Dollar Blockbuster" Scratchers ticket, and he won $2 million on Sept. 17, 2010, on a "Mega MONOPOLY" Scratchers ticket. He was also the Lottery's 300th jackpot winner.; Back to Top

2011
Jan. 4 Missouri Lottery players buy tickets for largest jackpot to date - a Mega Millions jackpot worth $380 million. Two tickets, one sold in Washington and one sold in Idaho, matched to split the jackpot. Jan. 10 Evening drawings are moved back two hours to 8:59 p.m. Jan. 20 The Lottery celebrates its 25th anniversary; new logo announced. March 6 EZ Match is added to Show Me Cash May 16 The Missouri Lottery launches the Retailer Portal website June 17 Lottery proceeds to the state, including public education, top $4 billion. Aug. 28 Double Bulls-Eye is added to Club Keno. Oct. 8 The first Missouri Lottery NHL Scratchers ticket goes on sale ("St. Louis Blues") Dec. 19 Roger Hirshey of Carthage becomes the second Missouri Lottery winner in history to win two prizes of $1 million or more. Back to Top

2011

Jan. 4: Missouri Lottery players buy tickets for largest jackpot to date - a Mega Millions jackpot worth $380 million. Two tickets, one sold in Washington and one sold in Idaho, matched to split the jackpot.
Jan. 10: Evening drawings are moved back two hours to 8:59 p.m.
Jan. 20: The Lottery celebrates its 25th anniversary; new logo announced.
March 6: EZ Match is added to Show Me Cash
May 16: The Missouri Lottery launches the Retailer Portal website
June 17: Lottery proceeds to the state, including public education, top $4 billion.
Aug. 28: Double Bulls-Eye is added to Club Keno.
Oct. 8: The first Missouri Lottery NHL Scratchers ticket goes on sale ("St. Louis Blues")
Dec. 19: Roger Hirshey of Carthage becomes the second Missouri Lottery winner in history to win two prizes of $1 million or more.; Back to Top

2012
Jan. 3 The Lottery launches Blitz, a new distribution process aimed at delivering new Scratchers games as soon as possible. Jan. 15 Powerball makes its sixth design change, including a new $2 price, $40 million starting jackpot, better overall chances of 1 in 31.85, better jackpot chances of 1 in 175.2 million and a match five prize of $1 million. Jan. 20 The Lottery celebrates its 25th anniversary; new logo announced. Aug. 6 The Lottery launches the all new My Lottery Players Club, including the Points For Prizes™ rewards program. Back to Top

2012

Jan. 3: The Lottery launches Blitz, a new distribution process aimed at delivering new Scratchers games as soon as possible.
Jan. 15: Powerball makes its sixth design change, including a new $2 price, $40 million starting jackpot, better overall chances of 1 in 31.85, better jackpot chances of 1 in 175.2 million and a match five prize of $1 million.
Jan. 20: The Lottery celebrates its 25th anniversary; new logo announced.
Aug. 6: The Lottery launches the all new My Lottery Players Club, including the Points For Prizes™ rewards program.; Back to Top

My Lottery Players Club

History of the Missouri Lottery

Missouri Lottery Timeline