Skip Maine state header navigation

Agencies | Online Services | Help

Skip First Level Navigation | Skip All Navigation

Home | Contact | Numbers by Email       
Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund

Home > History & Timeline

History & Timeline

June 1974

  • Ticket sales begin for a 50-cent weekly draw ticket called "Play Me."
  • The first draw is held on June 27, 1974.
  • The first instant ticket, the "Great Outdoors," is sold.
  • The weekly game, "Play Me," becomes "Downeast Sweepstakes."

January 1980

  • The weekly draw is discontinued.

June 1980

  • "Pick 3 Daily Numbers" game debuts.

April 1985

  • First multi-state lottery, Tri-State Lotto Compact, is approved among Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

July 1985

  • "Pick 4 Daily Numbers" game is added.

September 1985

  • Tri-State Megabucks starts Saturday draw with a pick 6-of-30 matrix.
  • Richard Campbell of South Portland, Me., becomes the first Tri-State Megabucks winner, winning $935,919 on September 14, 1985.

January 1986

  • Tri-State Megabucks draw is changed from a pick 6-of-30 to a pick 6-of-36 matrix.

January 1988

  • Tri-State Megabucks draw is changed from a pick 6-of-36 to a pick 6-of-40 matrix.

May 1990

  • Wednesday Tri-State Megabucks drawing is added.

July 1990

  • Lotto America starts Wednesday and Saturday draws with a pick 6-of-54 matrix.

April 1992

  • Maine drops out of Lotto America due to low sales.
  • Tri-State Cash 5 starts Tuesday draw with a pick 5-of-35 matrix.

July 1992

  • Maine's legislature decides to merge the state's Liquor and Lottery operations. David Campbell serves as Director.

January 1994

  • First $2 Instant Bingo ticket goes on sale.

June 1995

  • Tri-State Cash 5 changes to Tri-State 5 Card Cash and adds a Friday draw.

January 1996

  • Outdoor Heritage Instant Ticket is released. Proceeds are dedicated to help protect Maine's environment.

June 1996

  • Tri-State Megabucks adds a cash option.

November 1996

  • First $3 Instant Ticket "Christmas Bonus" is released.

March 1997

  • Tri-State Megabucks changes matrix from a pick 6-of-40 to a pick 6-of-42 and adds a Bonus Number.

September 1997

  • Tri-State 5 Card Cash changes matrix from a pick 5-of-35 to a pick 6-of-36 and changes name to Tri-State WinCash.

December 1997

  • First $5 ticket "Celebrate '98" is released.

June 1998

  • Pick3/Pick4 goes to seven draws a week.

September 1998

  • Pick 3/Pick 4 adds Front Pair/Back Pair play option.

February 2002

  • The Tri-State cash game "WinCash" ends. The new Tri-State cash game "Cash Lotto" begins.

April 2003

  • First $10 ticket "$250,000 Cash Spectacular" is released.

June 2003

  • "Pick 3 & Pick 4 Daily Numbers" games begin two draws a day.

November 2003

  • Tri-State "Cash Lotto" changes to Tri-State "Heads Or Tails." The cash game is now drawn 7 days a week.

July 2004

  • Sales begin for the Multi-State High Jackpot game "Powerball."

June 2005

  • Tri-State “Heads or Tails game ends. The New Tri-State game “Triple Play” begins.

September 2005

  • First $20 Instant Ticket “2,500,000 Extravaganza” is released.

October 2005

  • First “1,000,000 Instant Winner” drawing is held.

May 2006

  • Tri-State “Add-A-Play” begins. The first on-line game with an instant win feature.

January 2007

  • Tri- State “Triple Play” ends and is replaced by Tri –State “Paycheck”.