37 Years of Supporting Florida -The Florida Lottery has been in operation for 37 years and 6 months
The Florida Lottery officially began selling tickets on January 12, 1988. This means that as of July 15, 2025, the Florida Lottery has been in operation for 37 years and 6 months.
The lottery was established to generate additional funding for public education in Florida, with a significant portion of the revenue directed to the Education Enhancement Trust Fund.
The first game offered was a $1 scratch-off game called "Millionaire". Within the first few weeks of operation, over $95 million worth of tickets were sold, breaking a national sales record previously held by the California Lottery. The first Florida Lottery millionaire was Thomas W. Sawyer.
The Florida Lottery launched its first two Draw games, Florida Lotto and CASH 3, on April 29, 1988. The first Florida Lotto drawing was held on May 7, 1988.
37 Years of Supporting Florida
Integrity, Efficiency & Economic Benefits
From a single Scratch-Off game in 1988 to over 85 games today, three multi-state game offerings, and over $48 billion contributed to education, the Florida Lottery has remained committed to our mission to offer the most entertaining games while supporting our state.
800 schools
Funds have contributed to construction and renovation of 800 school projects statewide.
1,000,000 Bright Futures
Over one million students have attended college in Florida with Bright Futures scholarships.
4,300 millionaires
To date, Lottery winnings have created more than 4,300 millionaires in our state.
$100 billion
During the course of the Lottery’s operation, more than $100 billion have been awarded to game winners.
$48 billion
The Lottery has contributed over $48 billion to education
1986
By a two-to-one margin, Florida voters approve a constitutional amendment authorizing the state to operate a lottery for the purpose of generating additional funds for education.
1987
Governor Bob Martinez signs the Florida Public Education Lottery Act creating a new state agency and appoints Rebecca Paul as the first Secretary of the Florida Lottery.
1988
- Ticket sales begin for the first Scratch-Off game, MILLIONAIRE. During the first 12 days of operation, $95 million in Scratch-Off tickets are sold, breaking the national sales record previously held by the California Lottery.
- Thomas W. Sawyer becomes the first Florida Lottery millionaire when he wins the Million Dollar Grand Prize Drawing held in Clearwater.
- The Florida Lottery makes the first transfer to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund in the amount of $46.26 million.
- The first two Draw games Florida Lotto® and CASH 3™ debut.
- Josie Moore, of Port Charlotte, wins the first Florida Lotto® jackpot.
- Florida Lotto® rolls over to an estimated $52 million, setting a national and world record for Lotto jackpots.
- The Florida Lottery sets a world record for the largest jackpot paid to a sole winner. Sheelah Ryan, of Winter Springs, wins the $55.16 million Florida Lotto® jackpot.
https://floridalottery.com/