When Did the Lottery Start in California

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The California State Lottery officially began on November 6, 1984, when voters approved Proposition 37 with 58% of the vote. The first lottery tickets went on sale just over a year later on October 3, 1985. The lottery was established to provide additional funding for California\“s public education system without raising taxes.

The initial game offered was called “Scratchers“ instant tickets, followed by the launch of the first draw game, Lotto, on October 17, 1986. Since its inception, the California Lottery has generated billions of dollars for public education while providing entertainment for millions of residents.