History of Wisconsin Lottery in Timeline

The Wisconsin Lottery, operated by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue since its authorization in 1988, is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). It offers a variety of games including Mega Millions, Powerball, Megabucks, and scratch tickets. A significant portion of the revenue generated by the Wisconsin Lottery, totaling $4.6 billion since its inception, is allocated towards property tax relief for Wisconsin residents.

1988: Wisconsin Lottery Begins

Before the Wisconsin Lottery began in 1988, some players who did not want to drive to Illinois tried their luck at stores on the Oneida Nation reservation.

1988: Lottery Television Network Established

In 1988, the Wisconsin Lottery established its television network, which consisted of various stations throughout the state. These stations broadcast lottery-related content until 2002.

1988: Lottery Authorized

In 1988, the Wisconsin Lottery was authorized by the state legislature and is run by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Since its founding, it has generated $4.6 billion for property tax relief for state residents.

August 10, 1989: Lotto*America launch

On August 10, 1989, the first incarnation of Lotto*America lottery game began.

1989: Wisconsin Joins MUSL

In 1989, Wisconsin became a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL).

1989: Joined Lotto*America

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

February 4, 1991: SuperCash! Launched

On February 4, 1991, SuperCash! was launched. It draws 6 numbers 1 through 39, with players getting 2 sets of numbers for each $1 game. The top prize is $350,000.

1991: Introduction of Supercash!

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

April 19, 1992: Lotto*America Replaced

On April 19, 1992, the first incarnation of the Lotto*America lottery game was replaced by Powerball.

June 18, 1992: Second Incarnation of Megabucks Launched

On June 18, 1992, the second incarnation of Megabucks was launched two months after Powerball replaced the first incarnation of Lotto*America.

September 21, 1992: Pick 3 Launch

The Pick 3 lottery game began on September 21, 1992. It draws three digits 0 through 9 with varied prizes and options.

1992: Began Wisconsin's Very Own Megabucks jackpot drawings

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 Added

In 1993, the Wisconsin Lottery added a Pick 3 game.

1996: Mega Millions Began as The Big Game

In 1996, Mega Millions, a lottery game, began as The Big Game.

September 15, 1997: Pick 4 Launch

On September 15, 1997, Pick 4 was introduced. It draws a four-digit number.

1997: WISN Radio Sale

In 1997, WISN Radio (1130) in Milwaukee, which had been airing the Wisconsin Lottery drawings on radio, was sold by Hearst to Clear Channel Communications.

1999: Cash4Life Ended

In 1999, Cash4Life ended after only four players won the annuitized prize of $1,000 per week for life.

2002: Lottery Television Network Discontinued

In 2002, the Lottery's television network was discontinued due to budget constraints and stations moving the show to lower-rated timeslots.

2002: Televised Drawings Discontinued

In late 2002, the televised drawings and the Money Game were discontinued due to budget constraints. The drawings were moved to Madison and conducted using an air-gapped random number generator.

2002: Super Money Game Format Change

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

February 17, 2003: Badger 5 Launched

On February 17, 2003, the Badger 5 game was launched. The game draws 5 numbers from 1 through 31, with jackpots beginning at $10,000.

2003: Wisconsin Lottery Money Game Ended

In 2003, the Wisconsin Lottery Money Game, a game show produced by the Wisconsin Lottery and Hearst-Argyle Television, was discontinued after being aired weekly on the Lottery's network of stations. The show featured contestants who won a chance to play the game via scratch tickets and compete for cash prizes.

2010: Mega Millions Expanded to Include Wisconsin

In 2010, the Mega Millions lottery game was expanded to include Wisconsin.

2012: Four Points Sheraton-Mitchell Field Closed

In 2012, the Four Points Sheraton-Mitchell Field, which was formerly the Grand Milwaukee Hotel, closed at the end of the year. This hotel provided accommodations for contestants living outside the Milwaukee area who appeared on the Wisconsin Lottery Money Game.

2014: WGN America No Longer Carries Drawings

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

2018: Biggest Mega Millions Jackpot

In 2018, the Mega Millions lottery game jackpot reached $1.537 billion, the biggest jackpot amount.

April 7, 2019: All or Nothing Launched

On April 7, 2019, the All or Nothing game was launched. It draws 11 numbers from 1 through 22, with a top prize of $100,000 won by matching all eleven numbers or none of the eleven drawn numbers.