South Dakota Lottery Timeline

November 4, 1986             Voters approve constitutional amendment to allow a state lottery.

April 2, 1987                      Bill authorizing creation of the Lottery signed into law.

September 30, 1987           First scratch ticket sold (Match 3).

December 21, 1987           Lottery repays $1.5 million startup loan, plus interest, six months early.

March 1, 1989                   Bill authorizing video lottery signed into law.

October 16, 1989              Video lottery begins.

February 28, 1990             Bill authorizing lotto games signed into law.

November 15, 1990           First lotto ticket sold (LottoAmerica).

April 19, 1992                    Powerball begins.

November 3, 1992             Voters reject measure to repeal video lottery.

April 12, 1993                    Dakota Cash lotto game begins.

August 13, 1993                 Nickel video lottery games added.

March 21, 1994                 First $2 scratch ticket introduced.

July 22, 1994                     Supreme Court rules video lottery is unconstitutional.

August 13, 1994                 Video lottery machines shut down pursuant to court order.

November 8, 1994             Voters approve constitutional amendment to authorize video lottery.

November 22, 1994           Video lottery restarted.

February 1, 1998               Wild Card lotto game begins

July 7, 1998                       First $3 scratch ticket introduced.

April 20, 1999                    First $5 scratch ticket introduced.

November 7, 2000             Voters reject constitutional amendment to repeal video lottery.

March 8, 2001                   First $10 scratch ticket introduced.

April 7, 2002                      Hot Lotto game begins.

February 1, 2003               First Powerball jackpot won in SD (Watertown 34).

November 7, 2006             Voters reject initiated measure to repeal video lottery.

July 23, 2007                     First $20 scratch ticket introduced.