History of Lottery in Timeline

A lottery is a gambling system where numbers are randomly drawn for a prize. Governments have varying stances, from prohibition to endorsement and organization of national or state lotteries, with regulations often including age restrictions and vendor licensing. Lotteries were prevalent in the 19th century but became largely illegal in the U.S., Europe, and other countries by the early 20th century. Post-World War II, particularly in the 1960s, lotteries and casinos were reintroduced globally as a way for governments to generate revenue without raising taxes.

1916: Australian Government Started Lottery in 1916

In 1916, the Australian government initiated the 'Golden Casket Art Union' lottery to generate funds for charitable causes and initiatives, with the inaugural draw aimed at supporting veterans of World War One.

1917: A lottery was organised in 1917 by the British government

In 1917, the British government, with Thai consent, organized a lottery to support Britain's war effort.

1933: A national lottery was reintroduced in 1933

In 1933, a national lottery was reintroduced.

1933: Lotteries were held until 1933

Lotteries were held intermittently in Thailand until 1933, when they were officially regularized under the finance department.

1934: lottery was established in Puerto Rico in 1934

The first modern government-run US lottery was established in Puerto Rico in 1934.

1964: lottery was established in New Hampshire in 1964

In 1964, New Hampshire established its modern government-run lottery.

1967: Kerala State Government started their lottery department in 1967

In 1967, the Kerala State Government in India established its lottery department following a nationwide prohibition on private lotteries.

1969: Founded and incorporated by the Malaysian Government in 1969

Founded and incorporated by the Malaysian Government in 1969, it was focused on the commercialisation of 4-Digits–based games.

1969: Lottery industry start operated in Malaysia on early 1969

The lottery industry began operating in Malaysia in early 1969, managed by the Berjaya Group.

December 1970: Veikkaus began selling lottery tickets in December 1970

In December 1970, Veikkaus initiated the sale of lottery tickets in Finland.

January 3, 1971: First draw was televised on January 3, 1971

On January 3, 1971, the first lottery draw by Veikkaus in Finland was televised.

1980: 1980 Pennsylvania Lottery scandal

The 1980 Pennsylvania Lottery scandal involved weighting balls in The Daily Number.

1980: Until the autumn of 1980, six numbers between 1 and 40 were chosen

Until the autumn of 1980, in Finland, six numbers between 1 and 40 were chosen.

August 1985: the government sold the company to businessman Vincent Tan on August 1985

On August 1985, the Malaysian government sold the company to businessman Vincent Tan who merged it into his Berjaya Group.

1994: National Lottery, a state-franchised lottery established in 1994

In 1994, the National Lottery, a state-franchised lottery, was established in the United Kingdom.

2003: “Tic-Tac-Toe” was pulled off the shelves in 2003

In 2003, "Tic-Tac-Toe" tickets were recalled by the OLG, after Mohan Srivastava discovered non-random patterns.

2005: Gambling Act 2005

In accordance with restrictions under the Gambling Act 2005, the maximum amount which can be won by a single ticket is £500,000, or 10% of the total draw proceeds.

2007: George Washington's Mountain Road Lottery ticket sold for about $15,000 in 2007

In 2007, an example of George Washington's Mountain Road Lottery tickets, bearing Washington's signature, was sold for about $15,000 as a collector's item.

January 3, 2011: The lottery turned 40 on January 3, 2011

On January 3, 2011, the Finnish lottery celebrated its 40th anniversary, having conducted 2,126 draws by that time.

2011: profit categories were changed from the 2011 round 41

The profit categories in Finland were changed from the 2011 round 41.

2012: The total amount payout of prizes would have been worth €2.52 billion in 2012

In 2012, the potential total prize payout for the Spanish Christmas Lottery, assuming all tickets were sold, would have been €2.52 billion.

September 2013: The lottery was televised on Yle TV1 until 29 September 2013

From January 3, 1971 to September 29, 2013, the Finnish lottery was televised on Yle TV1.

October 2013: the lottery draws were postponed on MTV3 in October 2013

In October 2013, lottery draws in Finland were postponed on MTV3 after ten evening news.

2013: For 2013, the potential maximum prize pool to €2.24 billion

In 2013, due to decreasing demand, the Spanish Christmas Lottery reduced the number of available tickets, resulting in a maximum potential prize pool of €2.24 billion.

2014: Prize money worth about US$170,000 in 2014

In 2014, the prize money from a lottery held on May 9, 1445 at L'Ecluse to raise funds for walls and town fortifications, consisting of 4,304 tickets, was worth about US$170,000.

2017: In the fiscal year 2017

In the fiscal year 2017–2018 Kerala collected GST worth Rs 908 crore and state revenue of Rs 1,691 crore.

2018: Ohio became one of the first states to offer a digital lottery option in 2018

In 2018, Ohio became one of the first states to provide a digital lottery option.

2018: In the fiscal year 2018

In the fiscal year 2017–2018 Kerala collected GST worth Rs 908 crore and state revenue of Rs 1,691 crore.

January 7, 2020: Largest single jackpot record in Canadian lottery history in January 7, 2020

On January 7, 2020, a Lotto Max drawing resulted in the largest single jackpot in Canadian lottery history, amounting to $70 million.

May 2022: The Welsh Valley That Won the Lottery in May 2022

In May 2022, a Channel 4 documentary, The Welsh Valley That Won the Lottery, featured the residents of Rhymney who won.

November 2022: Powerball set a record for the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history in November 2022

In November 2022, Powerball reached a record for the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history, with its draw on November 8, 2022, having an estimated jackpot of US$2 billion.