Every July 17th, North America marks National Lottery Day! It's a day to celebrate the history of lotteries and the positive impact they have on communities. But did you know lotteries date back centuries?
A long and colorful history
The first lottery traces back to 1441 in Bruges, Belgium. Back then, merchants participated for a chance to win the tax rights on wine transportation – a lucrative prize! These early Renaissance lotteries weren't just about cash prizes. They offered winners a chance to control the quality of the wine they taxed, making it a truly powerful win.
Early lotteries also played a surprising role in shaping history. In the American Revolution, lottery money helped fund cannons for the fight for independence. Up and down the East Coast, lottery funds even paved crucial roads.
A modern celebration: #NationalLotteryDay
Fast forward to 2018, the Massachusetts State Lottery, a source of unrestricted local aid since 1972, saw an opportunity to celebrate. They established National Lottery Day as a way for consumers to enjoy special promotions on lottery products. The Registrar at National Day Calendar then officially proclaimed July 17th as the day to recognize lotteries nationwide.
Today, lotteries in the United States are run by individual states. The money raised goes towards important government programs and local initiatives. Think schools, parks, environmental protection – the list goes on!
Celebrations across North America
National Lottery Day isn't just about buying a ticket and hoping for the best. It's a chance to celebrate the positive impact lotteries have on communities. This year, states across North America are getting festive with special promotions and events. Here's a glimpse into how some states are celebrating:
South Dakota
Feeling lucky? Head on over to South Dakota! The South Dakota Lottery is offering a special "Lottery Day Good Fun Bundle" featuring discounted tickets for all their Wednesday draw games, including Powerball, Dakota Cash, Lucky for Life, and Lotto America. For $5, you can try your luck at winning big. But remember, you gotta ask for the "Lottery Day Good Fun Bundle" specifically, or you might miss out on the freebie! Vending machines are excluded, though, so plan your purchase accordingly.
Florida
The Florida Lottery is teaming up with other lotteries across North America to raise awareness about the good that lotteries do. Throughout the week, they'll be highlighting the Florida Lottery's contributions to education, supporting local businesses, and promoting responsible gaming.
Plus, the Florida Lottery is hosting a social media trivia giveaway on Facebook. Answer their trivia questions correctly, and you could be one of three lucky winners walking away with $200 in home improvement gift cards.
Rhode Island
It's a double celebration for the Rhode Island Lottery! Not only is it National Lottery Week, but it's also their 50th anniversary! To mark these special occasions, they're offering exciting promotions for both Keno and iLottery players.
Keno fans can rejoice with "Keno Golden Hours." Between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. from July 14th to 20th, any Keno ticket purchase of $5 or more gets you a free $1 4-spot Keno Quick Pick! That's an extra chance to win without breaking the bank.
For iLottery players, there's a deposit match bonus. Make a deposit any time between July 15th and 20th, and the Florida Lottery will match 50% of it, up to $100 in iLottery Bonus Money. This bonus money can be used to play even more iLottery games, giving you more opportunities to win big. But remember, there's a limit of one deposit match bonus per week, so choose wisely.
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Lottery is joining the fun with Lottery Week, celebrating the positive impact their lottery has had on the state since its inception in 1988. Here's a look at some of the good they've done:
- Over $5.7 billion in property tax credits for Wisconsin homeowners.
- More than $1.2 billion in commissions for retailers across the state.
- Over $10.8 billion paid out to lucky winners.
The Wisconsin Lottery is committed to responsible gaming. They work alongside organizations to educate retailers and consumers about safe play practices.
During Lottery Week, follow their social media (#LotteryWeek) to see featured retailers and winners. You can even enter their giveaway on July 17th for a chance to win a prize.
Nebraska
The Cornhusker State is joining the party with a week-long celebration of lotteries! Here's what the Nebraska Lottery has planned:
- Treat for MVP Club Members: Nebraska Lottery MVP Club members should look out for a special eCoupon for a free 2by2 play for seven draws, valid between July 15th and 31st. Just log in to your account and redeem the eCoupon for some extra chances to win!
- Lottery Week Special: From July 15th to 22nd, Nebraska Lottery is offering a discounted bundle with Nebraska Pick 5, Nebraska Pick 3, MyDay, and 2by2 for three draws for $10.
Massachusetts
It all started here! The Massachusetts Lottery established the first National Lottery Day in 2018. This year, they're celebrating the 6th annual National Lottery Week alongside other lotteries across North America.
Here's a look at what they're offering:
- Week-Long Social Media Celebration: Follow the Massachusetts Lottery on social media to see how they're highlighting the positive impact lotteries have on communities.
- Quic Pic Palooza: From July 15th to 21st, play $5 or more on any draw or monitor game ticket, and you can win a free $1 Quic Pic ticket.
- JAWS Bonus Bite Promotion: From July 15th to 28th, enter any non-winning $10 JAWS ticket through the Mass Lottery app or website, and you'll be automatically entered for a chance to win a cash prize, on top of being entered into the regular JAWS Second Chance Drawing. There will be 170 lucky winners, so grab your JAWS tickets and enter.
These are just a few examples of how states are celebrating National Lottery Day and Lottery Week. So, no matter where you live in North America, there's likely a celebration happening near you. Check with your local lottery for details, and join in the fun.
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