Wisconsin Lotteries

In April 1987, Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow a state-run lottery. The 1987 Wisconsin Act 119 established the Wisconsin Lottery and mandated that net proceeds be used for property tax relief. On 14 September 1988, the Lottery sold its first tickets for an instant win scratch-off game, called Match 3, and a pull-tab game, Wisconsin Red.

Since 1995, the Lottery has been managed by the Department of Revenue (DOR). Lottery tickets are the Wisconsin Lottery's primary revenue source and are sold at retail locations throughout the state. The Wisconsin Lottery offers instant games, which include scratch-off and pull-tab tickets, statewide draw games, multi-state draw games and second-chance games.

In 1996, a constitutional amendment was proposed to allow proceeds from a special state lottery game to help fund construction of a new stadium for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. The plan was overwhelmingly rejected by a 2-1 vote.