History of Wisconsin Lottery in Timeline

The Wisconsin Lottery, operated by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, was established in 1988. It is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). The lottery features games like Mega Millions, Powerball, Megabucks, Supercash!, Badger 5, Pick 3, Pick 4, All or Nothing, and various scratch games. Since its inception, the Wisconsin Lottery has generated $4.6 billion designated for property tax relief for Wisconsin residents.

1988: Wisconsin Lottery began

Before the Wisconsin Lottery began in 1988, some players who did not want to drive to Illinois tried their luck at stores on the reservation. The main game offered by the Oneida Nation was Big Green.

1988: Lottery television network launch

From 1988, the Lottery television network consisted of the following stations.

August 10, 1989: Lotto*America First Incarnation

The first incarnation of Lotto*America game began August 10, 1989.

1989: Joined Lotto*America game

In 1989, the Wisconsin Lottery joined the multi-jurisdictional Lotto*America game.

1989: Wisconsin became a member of MUSL

Wisconsin has been a member of MUSL since 1989.

February 4, 1991: SuperCash! began

SuperCash! began on February 4, 1991. SuperCash! also is nightly.

1991: Introduction of Supercash!

In 1991, the Wisconsin Lottery introduced Supercash!, a $250,000 daily six-number game at the time, and nightly drawings began at WISN-TV.

April 19, 1992: Powerball replaced Lotto*America

On April 19, 1992, Lotto*America was replaced by Powerball.

June 18, 1992: Powerball Second Incarnation

The second and current incarnation of Powerball beginning two months later on June 18, 1992.

September 21, 1992: Pick 3 began

Pick 3 is drawn twice daily and began on September 21, 1992.

1992: Wisconsin's Very Own Megabucks jackpot drawings launch

In 1992, the Wisconsin Lottery began its Wisconsin's Very Own Megabucks jackpot drawings after the launch of Powerball (which replaced L*A).

1993: Pick 3 Game Added

In 1993, the Lottery added the Pick 3 game.

1996: Mega Millions began as The Big Game

Mega Millions began as The Big Game in 1996.

September 15, 1997: Pick 4 began

Pick 4 began on September 15, 1997 and is drawn twice daily.

1997: WISN Radio sale

In 1997, WISN Radio (1130) in Milwaukee, which had aired the lottery drawings on radio, was sold from Hearst to Clear Channel Communications.

1997: Pick 4 Game Added

In 1997, the Lottery added Pick 4 game.

1999: Cash4Life ended

The MUSL game, Cash4Life, ended in 1999. Only four players won that game.

2002: Televised drawings and Money Game discontinued

In late 2002, the televised drawings and the Money Game were discontinued due to budget constraints and stations moving the show to lower-rated timeslots. Drawings moved to Madison.

2002: Super Money Game format change

In mid-2002, the show's format was changed to a new version known as the Super Money Game. This new format involved more contests with a smaller contestant pool.

2002: Lottery television network until 2002

The Lottery television network consisted of the following stations until 2002.

February 17, 2003: Badger 5 game began

Badger 5 began on February 17, 2003.

2003: Wisconsin Lottery Money Game Aired Until 2003

Until 2003, the Wisconsin Lottery Money Game, a game show produced by the Wisconsin Lottery and Hearst-Argyle Television, aired weekly on the Lottery's network of stations. The game show featured contestants winning cash prizes.

2010: Mega Millions expanded to include Wisconsin

In 2010, Mega Millions was expanded to include Wisconsin.

2012: Grand Milwaukee Hotel closed at the end of 2012

All contestants (each could bring a guest 18 or older) living outside of the Milwaukee area received a two-night stay at the Grand Milwaukee Hotel (later the Four Points Sheraton-Mitchell Field, which closed at the end of 2012.) for their appearance.

2014: WGN America no longer carrying drawings

Until 2014, the Chicago cable channel WGN America carried both the Mega Millions and Powerball drawings; after the network's conversion to a general entertainment format, the drawings have not been carried.