Delaware Lottery reaches GOLDEN anniversary - 50 years! $6.5B contributed to state’s general fund
Helene Keeley, Director of the Delaware Lottery and Barbara Miller, Deputy Director of the Delaware Lottery marked the 50th anniversary with a celebration in front of their building. At the same time, they unveiled a $50 scratch ticket that can pay up to $1 million during its 50th year.
The modern Delaware Lottery started in 1975, after more than 100 years when no lotteries operated in Delaware. In the early 1970s, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey implemented lotteries and sold millions of tickets. Following suit, Delaware established its State Lottery on May 31, 1974. The Delaware Lottery's first game started in March 1975. "LOTTO Superfecta" was a weekly game based on a live horse race at Brandywine and Harrington Raceways. In the following year, the first Instant Games were introduced.
A major turning point came in 1977, when Ralph F. Batch became Lottery Director. Batch streamlined operations and, with the state's approval, switched to a computer-based lottery gaming system. Based on the new system, the Lottery introduced the state's first three-digit game, Daily Numbers, which is now called PLAY 3. PLAY 4 started in 1980 and the LOTTO game was added in 1983.
In 1991, Delaware teamed with other lottery jurisdictions to establish LOTTO America, which in 1992 was changed to POWERBALL®. This Multi-State Lottery game offers players one of the fastest-growing multimillion-dollar jackpots in the country and is now the Delaware Lottery's best-selling game. Players pick five numbers from 1 to 69, and a sixth number from 1 to 26, to win a minimum $40 million jackpot. When players select the Power Play® multiplier option, they have the chance to have their non-jackpot winnings increased.
During 1995 and 1996, the Lottery introduced Video Lottery games, also known as "slot machines," at the three racetracks in the state: Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway's Midway Slots.
In 2008, the multi-state game, HOT LOTTO®, was introduced. In May 2013, the jackpot changed to all cash with federal taxes paid.
In September 2009, the Lottery introduced Sports Lottery at the three racetrack Sportsbooks in the state: Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway's Midway Slots. In August 2012, Sports Lottery was expanded to select Sports Lottery Retail locations throughout the state.
In May of 2010, Table Games was introduced at the three racetrack casinos: Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway & Casino. Additionally, in 2010, the Delaware Lottery joined other states in the MEGA MILLIONS Consortium to offer the mega-jackpot generating MEGA MILLIONS game. On October 19, 2013, MEGA MILLIONS was changed to offer a $15 million starting jackpot (was $12 million), a $1 million second prize and up to $5 million on set cash prizes with the Megaplier option.
On February 2, 2011, the Delaware Lottery introduced its latest Delaware-only game, DELAWARE CASH 5® (DELAWARE CASH 5 was retired on January 24, 2015), and on January 22, 2013, KENO® was introduced.
On November 7, 2013, the Delaware Lottery was the first state to launch an authorized online gaming system in the country known as iGaming. iGaming's Internet casino-style games such as poker, blackjack and more, are available for play on the websites of Delaware's three casinos: Delaware Park, Dover Downs, and Harrington Raceway & Casino.
On January 27, 2015, Delaware was one of 14 other states to launch LUCKY FOR LIFE®, a $2 multi-state draw game. LUCKY FOR LIFE has a top prize of $1,000 a day for LIFE and a second prize of $25,000 a year for LIFE. The first drawing took place January 29, 2015.
On October 28, 2017, HOT LOTTO® was retired.
On October 28, 2017, MEGA MILLIONS® was changed to offer a $40 million starting jackpot (was $15 million).
On November 12, 2017, the Delaware Lottery introduced LOTTO AMERICA®. A $1 multi-state game, LOTTO AMERICA® will have a starting jackpot at $2 million with 8 set cash prizes.
On June 5, 2018, full scale Sports Lottery wagering was introduced at the three Delaware casino sportsbooks.
LUCKY FOR LIFE® draw days changed to 7 days a week on July 19, 2021.
POWERBALL® drawings changed to 3 days a week on August 23, 2021.
LOTTO AMERICA® drawings changed to 3 days a week on July 18, 2022.
KENO drawings changed from every 4 minutes to every 3.5 minutes.
NEW Players Club launched August 31, 2023.
MULTI-WIN LOTTO® draw days changed to 7 days a week on October 2, 2023.
Play 3 Play 4 added Sunday day drawings on October 22, 2023.
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