Ohio Lottery

History and Founding

The Ohio Lottery was established by Issue 1, a constitutional amendment passed by Ohio voters in 1973. The campaign was spearheaded by State Senator Ron Mottl. The first tickets went on sale in August 1974, and the first millionaire winner, Omar Watts, won the “Buckeye 300” game. In 1983 the Ohio Legislature earmarked all lottery profits for education, and a 1987 constitutional amendment permanently dedicated those funds. A major milestone was the launch of the Cash Explosion TV show in 1987, which became a long-running weekly drawing program. The Ohio Lottery joined the multi-state Mega Millions game in 2002 and later Powerball, offering players access to some of the largest jackpots in the world.

Products and Platforms

The Ohio Lottery’s product lineup includes traditional draw games like Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Rolling Cash 5, and Classic Lotto, as well as high-frequency games like KENO. It also participates in the multi-state jackpot games Mega Millions, Powerball, and Lucky for Life. Instant games are a core offering, including scratch-off tickets sold at retail and EZPLAY digital instant-play games available through lottery terminals. The Cash Explosion TV show remains a weekly drawing event with cash prizes and multipliers. The Ohio Lottery has invested heavily in digital services: its official mobile app, launched in 2014, now includes features such as ticket scanning, mobile cashing for winnings between $50 and $25,000, electronic play slips (ePlaySlip) for iOS devices, and the MyLotto Rewards loyalty program where players earn points for non-winning tickets and second-chance entries.

Financial Performance and Operations

The Ohio Lottery is self-sustaining, funding its operations entirely from ticket sales while remitting all net profits to the Lottery Profits Education Fund. In fiscal year 2025, total sales exceeded $4.5 billion, with net profit of $1.447 billion transferred to education. The agency employs approximately 175 staff and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. The nine-member Ohio Lottery Commission provides advisory oversight, while day-to-day management is led by a Director appointed by the Governor. The current Director, Michelle B. Gillcrist, was appointed in May 2023. The Commission regularly reviews game offerings, retail compensation, and responsible gambling initiatives to maximize profits for education in a responsible manner.

Retail Network and Digital Presence

The Ohio Lottery uses a network of more than 10,000 licensed retail agents, including convenience stores, supermarkets, bars, and taverns. The mobile app and digital platforms are central to its operations, allowing players to scan tickets, deposit winnings directly into bank accounts, and participate in second-chance promotions. The MyLotto Rewards program encourages repeat play and brand loyalty. The lottery also offers an electronic play slip for iOS devices, enabling players to generate play slips without paper. These digital tools complement the traditional retail model and help maintain player engagement.