New Mexico Lottery History

2012

August 16

Justin Laugherty of Las Cruces claims a $1 Million Powerball prize. The lucky ticket was purchased at Shorty's located at 1025 E. Spruce Ave. in Las Cruces. The winning numbers were drawn August 15.

June 30

Lottery ends Fiscal Year 2012 with revenue of $41.3 million on net sales of $133.79, its second-highest profits ever.

June 6

Danny Garcia of Veguita claims the first $1 million Mega Millions prize in New Mexico. He bought his ticket at Young Baca's Kicks 66 in Belen. The winning numbers were drawn June 5. Matching five white balls pays $250,000, but Garcia spent an extra $1 on the game's Megaplier feature and became a millionaire.

April 16

Albuquerque resident Robert Platt becomes the fifth New Mexico Lottery player to win a Hot Lotto jackpot. His lucky ticket worth $1.54 million was sold by 7-11 convenience store located at 7525 Montgomery Blvd. in Albuquerque. The winning numbers were drawn

April 14

James Larson of Albuquerque buys a winning $1 million Powerball ticket at Giant convenience store located at 6104 Academy NE in Albuquerque. He claimed his prize April 18.

May 24

A $1 million Powerball ticket is sold at Speedy's in Black Hat, NM to Arizona residents Patrick and Sharon Yazzie. The winning numbers were drawn March 31.

March 30

Mega Millions makes world history by offering a $656 million jackpot. New Mexico sells a winning $250,000 prize and five $10,000 prizes.

March 25

The New Mexico Lottery launches Quicksters, a new style of instant-win game. The first game is named “Super 7s,” costs $1 and features a top prize of $100.

January 18

Larry and Cynthia Martinez of Blanco, New Mexico match five white balls to win the nation's first $1 million prize in the reformatted Powerball game launched January 15. Previously, the Powerball prize for matching five white balls was $200,000. The winners claim their $1 million prize on January 20.

January 15

Powerball changes to $2 per ticket per draw, and features bigger jackpots, more millionaires and better odds. The starting jackpot doubles from $20 million to $40 million. The match 5 + 0 prize increases from $200,000 to $1 million. The odds of winning the jackpot are better at 1 in 175 million, down from 1 in 195 million. The live drawing show moves to Tallahassee, Florida.

2011

November

Lottery profits for education break the $500 million mark.

October

Higher Education Department announces that more than 75,300 students have received Legislative Lottery Scholarships to attend college since 1996.

June 30

Lottery ends Fiscal Year 2011 with its second-highest revenue of $41.3 million on net sales of $135.5 million.

April 27

The New Mexico Lottery celebrates its 15th anniversary. Since launching in 1996, players have purchased $1.88 billion in tickets and won $1.03 billion in prizes.

January 4

New Mexico Lottery develops its first player-inspired Scratcher ticket. Dog owners are invited to submit their pets' photos to nmlottery.com where players vote for their favorite pooch. From the 25 top vote-getters, six furry faces would be selected for the game's tickets.

2010

Dec 8

Lottery launches Facebook page and a free Very Important Players (VIP) Club.

October

Higher Education Department announces that more than 68,000 students have received Legislative Lottery Scholarships to attend college since 1996.

June 30

Lottery ends Fiscal Year 2010 with gross sales of $143.6 million and record profit of $43.6 million.

June 22

Lottery and rock legend KISS team up to rock the music world with the first-ever KISS Scratcher.

May

Devices that allow players to check their own tickets for prizes are installed in more than 700 stores statewide.

February 4

Eduardo Vasquez of Albuquerque claims a $1 million Powerball prize. The lucky Powerball ticket matched the five white balls drawn on the January 30 drawing. Ordinarily, this grouping pays $200,000, but Mr. Vasquez purchased Power Play for an extra $1 and the prize was increased fivefold.

January 31

Mega Millions launches.

January 25

Ruidoso residents Bill and Janet Swann and daughters Lisa and Stacey Swann win New Mexico’s fourth Hot Lotto jackpot, claiming $3.54 million. The winning numbers were drawn on January 16.