History of Lucky for Life in Timeline

Lucky for Life (LFL) is a lottery game available in 22 states and the District of Columbia as of June 2021. Originating in Connecticut in 2009 as Lucky-4-Life, it expanded to a New England-wide game and then added eleven more lotteries in 2015. The game, promoted with the slogan "The Game of a Lifetime," is drawn nightly around 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) oversees the drawings using a digital system to select the winning numbers.

2009: Game Launch

In 2009, Lucky for Life began in Connecticut as Lucky-4-Life.

September 17, 2013: Modification of Lucky for Life

On September 17, 2013, Lucky for Life was modified by adding a second "lifetime" prize tier, and a cash option for either annuity tier.

2013: Pre-2013 Rules

All previous top prize winners of Lucky for Life were receiving their winnings under the game's pre-2013 rules.

2013: Game Modification

Beginning with the 2013 game modification, Lucky for Life offered a cash option in lieu of the lifetime annuity for first-prize winners, and also offered a cash option to second-prize winners. The annuity for first prize was advertised as $365,000 a year for life.

January 2015: Further Modification

In January 2015, Lucky for Life was modified again to its current format, with each play costing $2.

January 2015: Double Matrix Change

In January 2015, Lucky for Life's double matrix became 5 of 48 white balls and 1 of 18 green "Lucky Balls".

January 27, 2015: Prize Chart Effective Date

A player wins a prize according to the chart effective January 27, 2015.

January 29, 2015: Montana Joins

On January 29, 2015, Montana joined Lucky for Life.

February 15, 2015: District of Columbia Joins

On February 15, 2015, the District of Columbia joined Lucky for Life.

March 22, 2015: Kentucky Joins

On March 22, 2015, Kentucky joined Lucky for Life.

November 15, 2015: Ohio Joins

On November 15, 2015, Ohio joined Lucky for Life.

November 19, 2015: First Winner Under Current Matrix

The first top prize-winning ticket under the current Lucky for Life matrix was sold in South Carolina for the November 19, 2015 drawing. The winner chose cash in lieu of the annuity.