Hoosier Lottery

History of Hoosier Lottery

Voters approved a lottery for Indiana in November 1988 by a 62 percent majority, and the Lottery Act was signed into law in May 1989. Ticket sales began with a bang – literally – on October 13, 1989, as a cannon was fired in Pan American Plaza in Indianapolis to celebrate the launch of the Hoosier Lottery. Within 24 hours, 8.19 million Hoosier Millionaire scratch tickets were sold.

Some two weeks later, the Hoosier Millionaire TV show made its debut, and the first million dollar prize was awarded in early December.

The Lottery’s first draw game, Lotto Cash, began in April 1990, followed by the daily numbers games Daily 3 and Daily 4 in July. In October, Illinois began offering its first multi-state big jackpot game, Lotto America (renamed Powerball in 1992).

The Lottery’s early success allowed it to repay the $6 million startup loan to the state within the first year. Its mission has never changed – to return maximum net income to the state in a socially responsible manner. Lottery proceeds benefit three primary programs:

• The Build Indiana Fund, which helps offset residents’ motor vehicle excise taxes

• The pension and disability funds for retired Hoosier police officers and firefighters

• The pension fund for retired teachers

Media Contact:

Jared Bond

317-264-4677