North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries Where the Money Goes
Cindy Polzin
Cindy Polzin
Director

Wisconsin Lottery

  • $894,541,365
    Sales
  • $236,696,163
    Transfers to Beneficiaries
  • $559,690,376
    Prizes Paid to Players
  • 3,648
    Retailers
* Information displayed reflects data collected for fiscal year 2021

Lottery Impact on the Economy

  • In Wisconsin, 3,648 retailers generated $894,541,365 in gross sales.
  • This economic activity generated $236,696,163 in transfers to beneficiaries.
  • $559,690,376 was awarded to players in prizes.

History of Wisconsin Lottery

Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing a state lottery in 1987, and the Wisconsin Lottery began ticket sales on September 14, 1988. It was the first lottery to launch with both an instant game, Match 3, and a pulltab game, Wisconsin Red. Match 3 sold more than 50 million tickets in six weeks.

The Lottery’s first draw game was Megabucks Lotto*America, adding its own brand to the multistate lotto game. Tickets went on sale in August 1989, and Wisconsin quickly became the highest-grossing member of the Lotto*America group.

SuperCash! launched in February 1991 as the Lottery’s second draw game, followed by Powerball in April 1992 (replacing Megabucks Lotto*America), Wisconsin’s Very Own Megabucks game in June and Daily Pick 3 in September.

Since the beginning, Lottery proceeds have been used for property tax relief for eligible Wisconsin taxpayers.

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