History of Ohio Lottery in Timeline

The Ohio Lottery, operated by the Ohio Lottery Commission, is a state-run lottery offering a variety of games. These include instant scratch tickets as well as various draw games such as Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Rolling Cash 5, Classic Lotto, and Keno. The Ohio Lottery also participates in multi-state lottery games such as Lucky for Life, Mega Millions and Powerball, providing residents with diverse options for participating in lottery games.

1971: Campaign to Begin Lottery in Ohio

In 1971, State Senator Ronald M. Mottl initiated a campaign to establish a lottery in Ohio, laying the groundwork for future lottery operations.

1973: Approval of the Ohio Lottery Commission

In 1973, voters approved the creation of the Ohio Lottery Commission, paving the way for the formal establishment of the lottery system.

August 1974: Lottery Begins with Buckeye 300

In August 1974, the Ohio Lottery began with the game Buckeye 300, marking the start of lottery operations in the state.

1974: Lottery Contributions to Education Began

As of 2020, the Ohio Lottery has contributed more than $26 billion to education beginning in 1974.

December 3, 1979: The Number Becomes First Online Game

On December 3, 1979, The Number became the first Ohio online game, allowing players to choose their numbers.

1979: The Number (Pick 3) Begins

In 1979, The Number, which is now known as Pick 3, became the first online game offered by the Ohio Lottery.

April 9, 1981: Pick 4 Game Added

On April 9, 1981, the Pick 4 game was introduced to the Ohio Lottery, initially as a once-a-week game that later expanded to twice-daily drawings.

April 9, 1983: Ohio Lotto 6/40 Added

On April 9, 1983, Ohio Lotto 6/40 was introduced, with drawings on Saturdays and jackpots starting at $250,000.

July 1983: Lottery Profits Earmarked for Education

In July 1983, the Ohio General Assembly began allocating Ohio Lottery profits specifically for education, marking a significant commitment to supporting educational initiatives.

November 19, 1983: Ohio Lotto 6/40 Starting Jackpot Increased

On November 19, 1983, the starting jackpot for Ohio Lotto 6/40 was increased to $1 million.

October 3, 1984: Ohio Lotto 6/40 Wednesday Drawings Added

On October 3, 1984, Wednesday drawings were added to Ohio Lotto 6/40.

February 12, 1986: Ohio Lotto 6/40 Returns to Saturdays Only

After February 12, 1986, Ohio Lotto 6/40 reverted to having drawings on Saturdays only.

February 19, 1986: Super Lotto 6/44 Added

On February 19, 1986, Super Lotto 6/44 was introduced with drawings on Wednesdays, replacing the 6/40 Wednesday drawings.

April 18, 1987: Final Drawing of Ohio Lotto 6/40

On April 18, 1987, the final drawing of Ohio Lotto 6/40 took place, marking the end of the game.

April 25, 1987: Super Lotto 6/44 Added Saturdays

On April 25, 1987, Super Lotto 6/44 added Saturday drawings, replacing the 6/40 game entirely. Players paid $1 per game, with jackpots starting at $5 million.

1987: Lottery Profits Made Permanent for Education

In 1987, Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment to ensure that Lottery profits would permanently supplement revenue for education.

April 1988: The Kicker Add-On Game Begins

In April 1988, The Kicker add-on game was introduced as an option for Super Lotto, adding a six-digit number to all Super Lotto tickets.

April 30, 1988: The Kicker Introduced as Add-On

On April 30, 1988, The Kicker was introduced as an add-on, initially to Super Lotto 6/44.

October 6, 1990: Super Lotto 6/44 Changed to 6/53 Matrix

On October 6, 1990, the Super Lotto 6/44 was changed to a 6/53 matrix, with two plays for $1 and the jackpot starting again at $5 million.

May 5, 1992: Buckeye 5 Added

On May 5, 1992, Buckeye 5 was introduced with drawings on Tuesday and Friday nights, offering a top prize of $100,000.

1992: Powerball Game Began

Powerball began in 1992. On October 13, 2009, the Mega Millions consortium and the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) reached an agreement in principle to cross-sell Mega Millions and Powerball in US lottery jurisdictions.

July 1, 1993: Buckeye 5 Expanded to Four Days a Week

On July 1, 1993, Buckeye 5 expanded its drawings to Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, increasing the frequency of play.

September 6, 1996: The Big Game Begins

On September 6, 1996, six lotteries launched a jackpot game initially known as The Big Game.

August 16, 1999: Pick 3 Expands to Twice-Daily Draws

On August 16, 1999, the Pick 3 game expanded to offer twice-daily drawings, increasing opportunities for players to win.

July 8, 2000: Final Drawing of Super Lotto 6/47

The final drawing for the Super Lotto 6/47 game took place on July 8, 2000.

July 15, 2000: SLP Introduced

On July 15, 2000, SLP (Super Lotto Plus) was introduced, replacing the 6/47 game. SLP was a 6/49 game that also drew a bonus ball, with jackpots starting at $4 million. The Kicker became an add-on to SLP.

July 2000: The Kicker Added to Super Lotto Plus

In July 2000, when Super Lotto became Super Lotto Plus, The Kicker was included as an add-on to the SLP game, continuing its availability to players.

April 1, 2002: Buckeye 5 Becomes a Monday-through-Saturday Game

On April 1, 2002, Buckeye 5 transitioned to being a Monday-through-Saturday game, offering even more opportunities for players to participate.

May 15, 2002: Ohio Joins Mega Millions

On May 15, 2002, the multi-jurisdictional game, temporarily named The Big Game Mega Millions, was added to the Ohio Lottery; the first drawing including Ohio-bought tickets was two days later.

October 2, 2004: Last Buckeye 5 Drawing

On October 2, 2004, Buckeye 5 held its last drawing and was replaced by Rolling Cash 5.

October 4, 2004: Rolling Cash 5 Replaces Buckeye 5

On October 4, 2004, the Ohio Lottery replaced Buckeye 5 with Rolling Cash 5, changing the 5-of-5 prize to a jackpot starting at $100,000. Since May 20, 2007, Rolling Cash 5 has been drawn nightly.

October 8, 2005: SLP Last Drawing

On October 8, 2005, the last drawing of SLP (Super Lotto Plus) took place, and The Kicker became an add-on game for Mega Millions.

October 12, 2005: Lot 'O Play First Drawing

On October 12, 2005, Lot 'O Play held its first drawing. It was a 5/100 bingo-style game with base jackpots of $1 million.

October 2005: The Kicker Becomes Mega Millions Add-On

In October 2005, after Super Lotto Plus ended, The Kicker became an add-on for Mega Millions, but only within Ohio.

2005: The Kicker Transferred to Mega Millions

In 2005, The Kicker add-on game was "transferred" from Super Lotto Plus to Mega Millions in Ohio.

January 20, 2007: Lot O'Play Last Drawing

On January 20, 2007, the last drawing of Lot O'Play occurred, after which it was replaced by Classic Lotto.

January 22, 2007: Classic Lotto Introduced

On January 22, 2007, Classic Lotto was introduced, replacing Lot 'O Play. Classic Lotto is drawn on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, with jackpots starting at $1 million.

May 20, 2007: Sunday Drawings Added to Pick 3

On May 20, 2007, Sunday drawings were added to the Pick 3 game, providing players with even more chances to participate and win.

August 5, 2007: Ten-OH! Game Added

On August 5, 2007, Ohio added Ten-OH!, a twice-daily Keno-like game and the first Ohio Lottery game with computerized drawings. The top prize of $500,000 was won by matching 10 of the 20 numbers drawn.

October 2007: Cash Explosion Game Show Returned

In October 2007, the Cash Explosion game show returned, replacing Make Me Famous, Make Me Rich.

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2008: Keno Added to Bars and Restaurants

In 2008, Keno was added to bars and restaurants, reducing the popularity of Ten-OH! and making the game somewhat redundant.

October 13, 2009: Mega Millions and Powerball Agreement

On October 13, 2009, Mega Millions consortium and Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) reached an agreement to cross-sell Mega Millions and Powerball in US lottery jurisdictions.

2009: Connecticut Lottery Began Lucky4Life

In 2009, the Connecticut Lottery introduced Lucky4Life, a draw game featuring a "lifetime" top prize, which later evolved into Lucky for Life.

January 31, 2010: Both Games Added Members

On January 31, 2010, both Mega Millions and Powerball added members as part of the cross-selling agreement.

April 16, 2010: Ohio Adds Powerball

On April 16, 2010, Ohio, already a member of Mega Millions, joined Powerball as part of the cross-selling expansion. The first Powerball drawing including Ohio was the following night.

June 2, 2010: Ohio Ticket Wins Powerball Jackpot

On June 2, 2010, a ticket bought in Ohio for the Powerball drawing became its first potential Powerball jackpot winner, worth $261.6 million (annuity).

January 2011: Ohio Ends The Kicker for Megaplier

In January 2011, Ohio discontinued The Kicker as an add-on for Mega Millions, opting instead to make the Megaplier available to Mega Millions players within Ohio.

2011: Ohio Ends The Kicker for Megaplier Availability

In 2011, Ohio ended The Kicker for Mega Millions when the Megaplier (which began as a Texas-only option) was made available to Ohio players of Mega Millions.

April 9, 2012: Keno to Go Added

On April 9, 2012, Keno to Go was introduced, allowing players to purchase tickets at any Ohio Lottery retailer. This expanded the availability of Keno beyond retailers with liquor licenses.

April 2012: The Kicker Revived as Classic Lotto Add-On

In April 2012, The Kicker was revived and became an add-on for Classic Lotto. A Classic Lotto play with The Kicker costs $1, with a $100,000 prize for an exact match.

April 29, 2012: The Kicker Becomes an Option for Classic Lotto Players

On April 29, 2012, The Kicker, which had been previously retired, was revived and became an available add-on option for Classic Lotto players.

August 11, 2012: Final Drawing of 10-OH!

On August 11, 2012, 10-OH! had its final drawing. It was replaced by Pick 5 the following day.

August 12, 2012: Pick 5 Game Added

On August 12, 2012, the Pick 5 game was added to the Ohio Lottery, played twice daily and featuring straight and box wagers similar to Pennsylvania's game of the same name.

November 15, 2015: Ohio Joins Lucky for Life

On November 15, 2015, Ohio joined Lucky for Life, a draw game featuring a "lifetime" top prize.

September 2017: Game Show Alternatively Named C.E.

In September 2017, the Cash Explosion game show was alternatively named “C.E.” It is the only lottery game show in the United States.

2020: Lottery Contributions to Education Reach Over $26 Billion

As of 2020, the Ohio Lottery had contributed over $26 billion to education since 1974, highlighting its significant financial support for educational programs.

April 12, 2023: Michelle Gillcrist Appointed Interim Director

On April 12, 2023, Michelle Gillcrist was appointed as the interim director of the Ohio Lottery by Governor Mike DeWine. She replaced previous directors such as Pat McDonald, Mike Dolan, Tom Hayes, and Dennis Berg.