The History of the CT Lottery
Connecticut State Lottery Created
Governor Thomas J. Meskill signs Public Act No. 865, establishing the Connecticut State Lottery.
Connecticut State Lottery Opens for Sales
Ticket sales begin statewide with a 50-cent game called The Lottery. Connecticut’s Lottery becomes the fourth lottery in the nation to operate.
First Scratch Game Launches
Instant Match debuts as Connecticut’s first scratch ticket.
The Lottery Makes Its Television Debut
The Lottery debuts Double Play, its first weekly television game show becoming the highest-rated television show originating in Connecticut at the time.
Play4 Begins
Play4 launches, drawings are initially held once a week.
Lotto Launches
Lotto debuts with a $1 million minimum jackpot, marking a major expansion into jackpot-style draw games.
Powerball Launches in Connecticut
Connecticut joins Powerball, a multi-state lottery game with a $5 million minimum jackpot, giving players access to larger, multimillion-dollar prizes.
Connecticut Lottery Corporation Established
The Lottery transitions into a quasi-public agency and formally becomes the Connecticut Lottery Corporation.
Responsible Gambling Partnership Established
The CT Lottery co-founds the CT Partnership for Responsible Gambling, a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to raise awareness about problem gambling and help those in need.
Mega Millions Added
Connecticut joins Mega Millions, expanding player access to another major national jackpot game.
CT Lottery Joins the World Lottery Association
The CT Lottery becomes a member of the World Lottery Association and achieves Level 1 Responsible Gaming Framework Accreditation.
Record Jackpot Claimed
A $254.2 million Powerball jackpot is claimed by the Putnam Avenue Family Trust, becoming the largest prize in CT Lottery history at the time.
CT Lottery Achieves Level 2 WLA Accreditation
The CT Lottery achieves Level 2 Responsible Gaming Framework Accreditation from the World Lottery Association.
$10 Billion Returned to the State
The CT Lottery crosses the $10 billion threshold for profits returned to Connecticut’s General Fund since the Lottery’s inception.
Fast Play Launches
Fast Play debuts, offering players a new category of games featuring on-the-spot wins and rolling jackpots.
Online Sports Betting Launches
The CT Lottery expands its product offerings to include online and retail sports wagering.
The Lottery Turns 50!
The CT Lottery celebrates 50 years of operations. Governor Ned Lamont proclaims February 15, 2022, as Connecticut Lottery Day.
New Headquarters Opens
The Connecticut Lottery Corporation opens its new headquarters and claims center in Wallingford.
More Than $12 Billion Returned to the State
The CT Lottery celebrates more than $12 billion transferred to Connecticut’s General Fund.
CT Lottery Achieves Level 3 WLA Accreditation
The CT Lottery achieves Level 3 Responsible Gaming Framework Accreditation from the World Lottery Association.
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