History of Georgia Lottery in Timeline
The Georgia Lottery Corporation, a government entity headquartered in Atlanta, generates over $1 billion annually. Its revenue allocation is mandated by law: half for prizes, one-third for education (primarily the HOPE Scholarship), and the remainder for operations and marketing. The Georgia Lottery's funding model for education has served as a blueprint for other state lotteries, notably the South Carolina Education Lottery.
1992: Constitutional amendment and GLC creation
In 1992, a government-run lottery was allowed via a constitutional amendment. Also in 1992, the Georgia General Assembly created the Georgia Lottery Corporation (GLC) through the Lottery for Education Act, with Zell Miller as governor.
August 10, 1993: Cash 3 begins
Cash 3 began on August 10, 1993. It is played three times daily using three machines, each containing balls numbered 0 through 9, with one ball drawn from each machine.
November 14, 1994: Fantasy 5 launch
Fantasy 5 has been played since November 14, 1994. It is a once daily game that draws 5 of 42 numbers (originally was 35 and then 39).
1996: Georgia helps launch The Big Game
In 1996, Georgia helped launch The Big Game (now Mega Millions).
1996: Georgia joins The Big Game, leaves MUSL
In 1996, Georgia joined The Big Game (now Mega Millions) while also offering Powerball for the first time. However, several days after starting sales for The Big Game, Georgia was compelled to leave the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), which manages Powerball.
1996: Georgia sells The Big Game and Powerball tickets before being forced out of Powerball
In 1996, Georgia sold tickets for both The Big Game and Powerball for a few days before being forced out of Powerball.
April 6, 1997: Cash 4 begins
Cash 4 began on April 6, 1997, and is drawn three times daily. It is played similarly to Cash 3, but uses 4 digits and four ball machines.
2001: Lotto Georgia merged to become Lotto South
In 2001, Lotto Georgia, the original in-house weekly jackpot game, was merged with two similar games, forming Lotto South, with the aim of creating larger jackpots.
2001: Power Play option introduced
In 2001, the Power Play option was introduced in Powerball.
2002: Mega Millions replaced The Big Game
In 2002, Mega Millions replaced The Big Game.
2002: Game began
In 2002, this game began, in which players received a six-character combination for a chance to be one of three guaranteed winners every evening.
2004: Game ended due to declining sales
In 2004, the Georgia Lottery ended the game due to declining sales.
February 2006: Lotto South ended
In February 2006, the Lotto South game came to an end.
October 2009: Agreement to sell Mega Millions and Powerball tickets
In October 2009, an agreement was reached allowing US lotteries to sell Mega Millions and Powerball tickets.
October 2009: Agreement reached for Mega Millions and Powerball ticket sales
In October 2009, an agreement was reached allowing US lotteries to sell both Mega Millions and Powerball tickets.
January 31, 2010: Georgia offers both Mega Millions and Powerball
Beginning January 31, 2010, Georgia, along with most other lotteries, began offering both Mega Millions and Powerball games simultaneously.
August 1, 2010: Georgia Five Introduced
On August 1, 2010, Georgia introduced Georgia Five, a 5-digit numbers game drawn twice daily with a top prize of $10,000.
November 7, 2010: Megaplier option available to Georgia players
On November 7, 2010, the Megaplier option became available to Georgia's Mega Millions players.
January 2012: Powerball play price increased
In January 2012, the price of a Powerball play increased to $2, or $3 with Power Play.
March 2, 2014: Game Launched
On March 2, 2014, the Georgia Lottery launched a game where players pick 12 numbers from 24 for a chance to win prizes up to $250,000.
October 19, 2014: Monopoly Millionaires' Club (MMC) began sales
On October 19, 2014, Monopoly Millionaires' Club (MMC) began sales in 22 states and the District of Columbia.
February 2015: Jumbo Bucks Lotto began
Jumbo Bucks Lotto has been played since February 2015. It is a twice-weekly game where 6 of 47 numbers are drawn.
March 28, 2015: Television game show featuring MMC contestants aired
From March 28, 2015, to 2016, a television game show featuring Monopoly Millionaires' Club (MMC) contestants aired.
2015: Virginia ended sales of DoD
In 2015, Virginia ended sales of Decades of Dollars (DoD).
August 29, 2016: Georgia joins Cash4Life
On August 29, 2016, Georgia joined the Cash4Life game, which is also available in several other states.
2016: Television game show featuring MMC contestants aired
From March 28, 2015, to 2016, a television game show featuring Monopoly Millionaires' Club (MMC) contestants aired.
July 2023: Largest Jackpot was won
The largest Jackpot for "Jumbo Bucks Lotto" was $15.2 million which was won by a single ticket holder who won the jackpot in July 2023.
2024: Jumbo Bucks Lotto was retired
"Jumbo Bucks Lotto" got retired after the final drawing on November 14th 2024.
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