Mission and History

1976
In 1976 a referendum was held regarding the establishment of a state run lottery. Sixty-six percent of those casting ballots voted in favor of the referendum.

Public Act No. 82 established the Vermont Lottery Commission during the 1977 session of the General Assembly and provided for its termination on June 30, 1980 unless the 1979 Assembly authorized continuation.

1978
The Vermont Lottery Commission was granted $250,000 seed money. It took the lottery seven months from inception of the lottery to produce the first ticket and eighteen months to pay back the $250,000.

The first game (Green Mountain Game) went on sale February 14, 1978. This game involved a weekly drawing. A winner was established by the matching of the pre-printed numbers on the ticket to the numbers drawn. The first instant ticket (Scratch ‘N Match) went on sale June 20, 1978.

1979
During the 1979 legislative session, the Vermont Lottery was extended for another three years. After a steady growth in sales the General Assembly, during the 1981 session, authorized the indefinite continuation of the Vermont Lottery Commission.

1998
From February 1978 to July 1998, all profits generated by the Vermont Lottery were dedicated for use by the state's General Fund. In July 1998 the Vermont Legislature mandated that all profits from the Vermont Lottery go to the state's Education Fund.

Today the Vermont Lottery continues to be run by a small, efficient staff of professionals consisting of 20 full-time employees, with oversight from five commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor and approved by the Vermont Senate. It is still one of the smallest staffs of any lottery in the United States.