History of Ohio Lottery in Timeline
The Ohio Lottery, operated by the Ohio Lottery Commission, offers a variety of games. These include scratch-off tickets and several draw games like Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Rolling Cash 5, and Classic Lotto. Ohio also participates in multi-state games such as Keno, Lucky for Life, Mega Millions, and Powerball, providing residents with numerous opportunities to win.
1971: Campaign to Begin a Lottery in Ohio
In 1971, State Senator Ronald M. Mottl began a campaign to initiate a lottery in Ohio.
December 3, 1979: The Number Becomes First Ohio Online Game
On December 3, 1979, The Number became the first online game in Ohio, allowing players to choose their numbers.
April 9, 1981: Pick 4 Added to Lottery
On April 9, 1981, Pick 4 was introduced as a once-a-week game, which gradually expanded to twice-daily drawings.
April 9, 1983: Ohio Lotto 6/40 Added
On April 9, 1983, Ohio Lotto 6/40 was added, with drawings on Saturdays and jackpots starting at $250,000.
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: Wednesday Drawings Added to Ohio Lotto 6/40
On October 3, 1984, Wednesday drawings were added to Ohio Lotto 6/40.
February 12, 1986: Ohio Lotto 6/40 Returns to Saturday-Only Drawings
After February 12, 1986, the Ohio Lotto 6/40 game returned to having drawings only on Saturdays.
February 19, 1986: Super Lotto 6/44 Added
On February 19, 1986, Super Lotto 6/44 was introduced with Wednesday drawings, replacing the 6/40 Wednesday drawings.
April 18, 1987: Final Drawing for Ohio Lotto 6/40
On April 18, 1987, the final drawing for Ohio Lotto 6/40 was held.
April 25, 1987: Super Lotto 6/44 Adds Saturday Drawings
On April 25, 1987, the 6/44 added Saturday drawings, replacing the 6/40 altogether.
1987: Lottery Profits for Education Made Permanent
In 1987, voters approved a constitutional amendment to permanently allocate Lottery profits as a supplementary revenue stream 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 Add-On Begins with Super Lotto 6/44
On April 30, 1988, The Kicker was launched as an add-on, initially for 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 game was changed to a 6/53 matrix with two plays for $1, and the jackpot started again at $5 million.
July 1, 1993: Buckeye 5 Expands to Four Days a Week
On July 1, 1993, Buckeye 5 expanded its drawings to Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
September 6, 1996: Six Lotteries Began The Big Game
On September 6, 1996, six lotteries launched a jackpot game 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 include twice-daily drawings.
July 8, 2000: Final Drawing for Super Lotto 6/47
On July 8, 2000, the final drawing for the Super Lotto 6/47 was held. It had replaced the 6/53 matrix.
July 15, 2000: Super Lotto Plus (SLP) Introduced
On July 15, 2000, Super Lotto Plus (SLP) was introduced, replacing the 6/47 game. It was a 6/49 game that also drew a "bonus ball." Jackpots started at $4 million.
July 2000: The Kicker Added to Super Lotto Plus
In July 2000, when Super Lotto became Super Lotto Plus, The Kicker was added to Super Lotto Plus.
April 1, 2002: Buckeye 5 Becomes Monday-through-Saturday Game
On April 1, 2002, Buckeye 5 became a Monday-through-Saturday game.
May 15, 2002: Mega Millions Added to Ohio Lottery
On May 15, 2002, Ohio joined the multi-jurisdictional game, temporarily named The Big Game Mega Millions, with its first drawing including Ohio tickets two days later.
October 2, 2004: Final Buckeye 5 Drawing
On October 2, 2004, Buckeye 5 held its last drawing and was subsequently replaced by Rolling Cash 5.
October 4, 2004: Rolling Cash 5 Replaces Buckeye 5
On October 4, 2004, Rolling Cash 5 replaced the Buckeye 5 game. The 5-of-5 prize in Buckeye 5 was replaced with a jackpot that begins at $100,000. Drawings are held nightly since May 20, 2007.
October 8, 2005: Final Drawing for Super Lotto Plus
On October 8, 2005, the final drawing for Super Lotto Plus took place. The Kicker became Mega Millions' add-on game.
October 12, 2005: Lot 'O Play First Drawing
On October 12, 2005, the first drawing of Lot 'O Play was held. It was a 5/100 bingo-style game with base jackpots of $1 million.
October 2005: The Kicker Becomes Add-On for Mega Millions
In October 2005, The Kicker became an add-on for Mega Millions, but only within Ohio, after Super Lotto Plus ended.
2005: The Kicker Transferred to Mega Millions
In 2005, The Kicker add-on game was "transferred" from Super Lotto Plus to Mega Millions.
January 20, 2007: Lot O'Play's Last Drawing
On January 20, 2007, Lot O'Play held its last drawing and was replaced by Classic Lotto.
January 22, 2007: Classic Lotto Game Launch
On January 22, 2007, the Classic Lotto game began, replacing Lot 'O Play. Drawings are held 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 introduced for the Pick 3 game.
October 2007: Cash Explosion Game Show Returns
In October 2007, the Cash Explosion game show returned, replacing Make Me Famous, Make Me Rich.
2008: Keno Added to Bars and Restaurants
In 2008, Keno was added to bars and restaurants, which lessened the popularity of Ten-OH!.
October 13, 2009: Agreement to Cross-Sell Mega Millions and Powerball
On October 13, 2009, Mega Millions and the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) agreed to cross-sell Mega Millions and Powerball.
2009: Connecticut Lottery Began Lucky4Life
In 2009, the Connecticut Lottery began Lucky4Life, a draw game which featured a "lifetime" top prize.
January 31, 2010: Mega Millions and Powerball Add 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, which already had Mega Millions, added Powerball.
June 2, 2010: Ohio Ticket Wins Powerball Jackpot
On June 2, 2010, a ticket bought in Ohio won the Powerball jackpot, marking the first time a lottery selling either Mega Millions or Powerball (but not both) on January 31, 2010 sold a jackpot-winning ticket for its newer game after the cross-selling expansion date. The ticket was worth $261.6 million.
January 2011: Ohio Ends The Kicker for Megaplier
In January 2011, Ohio ended The Kicker in favor of making the Megaplier available to Mega Millions players within Ohio.
2011: Ohio Ends The Kicker for Mega Millions
In 2011, Ohio discontinued The Kicker for Mega Millions when the Megaplier became available to Ohio players.
April 2012: The Kicker Revived for Classic Lotto
In April 2012, The Kicker was revived and became an add-on for Classic Lotto. An exact match in The Kicker wins $100,000.
April 29, 2012: The Kicker Returns as Classic Lotto Option
On April 29, 2012, The Kicker, which had been previously retired, was reintroduced as an option for Classic Lotto players.
August 11, 2012: Final Drawing for 10-OH!
On August 11, 2012, 10-OH! held its final drawing. It was replaced by Pick 5 the following day.
August 12, 2012: Pick 5 Added to Ohio Lottery
On August 12, 2012, the Ohio Lottery introduced Pick 5, a game played twice daily alongside other "numbers" games, similar to Pennsylvania's version, featuring straight and box wagers.
November 15, 2015: Ohio Joins Lucky for Life
On November 15, 2015, Ohio joined Lucky for Life, expanding the game to 16 states and the District of Columbia.
September 2017: Cash Explosion Renamed "C.E."
In September 2017, the Cash Explosion game show was alternatively named “C.E.”
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.
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