Wisconsin Lottery

History of Wisconsin Lottery

Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing a state lottery in 1987, and the Wisconsin Lottery began ticket sales on September 14, 1988. It was the first lottery to launch with both an instant game, Match 3, and a pulltab game, Wisconsin Red. Match 3 sold more than 50 million tickets in six weeks.

The Lottery’s first draw game was Megabucks Lotto*America, adding its own brand to the multistate lotto game. Tickets went on sale in August 1989, and Wisconsin quickly became the highest-grossing member of the Lotto*America group.

SuperCash! launched in February 1991 as the Lottery’s second draw game, followed by Powerball in April 1992 (replacing Megabucks Lotto*America), Wisconsin’s Very Own Megabucks game in June and Daily Pick 3 in September.

Since the beginning, Lottery proceeds have been used for property tax relief for eligible Wisconsin taxpayers.

Media Contact:

Gary Kohn

608-264-9915