Arizona Lottery
The Arizona Lottery first opened for sales on July 1, 1981. At the time, there was just one product, an instant scratch ticket, Scratch It Rich. Today, the lottery includes draw games like Powerball, Mega Millions, Triple Twist, All or Nothing, Fantasy 5, Pick 3, and The Pick.
This was the very first state west of the Mississippi to agree to a lottery when the initiative was passed in 1980. The vote to extend the state lottery for another decade was passed in 2002, and in 2012, the Lottery was extended through to 2035.
Proceeds from lottery ticket sales, which amount to almost $4 million every week, are earmarked for public benefit and maximizing revenue, including a range of state programs. In 2016, the lottery transferred more than $200 million to such programs and continues to support 12 funds serving 18 beneficiaries, including health and human services, arts and education, public safety, community enrichment, environmental conservation, and economic development.
Up until June 1, 2003, players had to be 18 years or older to purchase tickets. Today, that age is at least 21.
