Iowa joined the Lottery ranks in April 1985 after Governor Terry Branstad signed House file 225 and mandated that a lotto game be in place by May 1, 1986. Everything began with Iowa's first scratch ticket, "Scratch, Match & Win," first sold on August 22, 1985, and the relatively simple "pick 6 of 30" online LOTTO game. Iowans purchased more than 28.1 million instant game tickets by the end of Scratch, Match & Win's run. By the end of the Iowa Lottery's first year, Iowa had seen five different scratch tickets.
Until 1992, the Iowa Lottery only sold $1 tickets. At that time it was what many lotteries did. Since then, customer demand has dictated the Lottery begin selling higher dollar tickets.
In 1992, Iowa offered its first multi-dollar tickets ($2) and the number has risen since then. In fiscal year 2000, 36% of sales were from multi-dollar tickets as compared to 33% in both 1999 and 1998 and 29% in fiscal year 1997.
Retailers can benefit greatly from the multi-dollar tickets because it takes the same effort to sell a $1 ticket as it does a $10 ticket, but their profit is higher with the higher prized ticket.
Bingo was the first $2 ticket offered, but $3 and $5 tickets of all kinds soon followed.

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25 Years Of Lottery In Iowa: Billions In Prizes To Winners And Proceeds To State Causes
Iowa's First Lottery Tickets Debuted On Aug. 22, 1985
DES MOINES, Iowa (August 2, 2010) – As the Iowa Lottery's silver anniversary approaches, a look back shows that 25 years of lottery entertainment in Iowa has produced billions of dollars in prizes for winners and proceeds for vital state causes........Subscribers

Iowa Pays $450K to Resolve Two Lawsuits Stemming From the Legislature's Decision to End the Lottery's TouchPlay Machines
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 30, 2010) - State government paid nearly $6.6 million to settle claims and resolve disputes caused by employee mistakes, workplace misconduct or other damages in the past fiscal year.....Subscribers

FY 2010 Results: Lottery Sales Increase, Players Win Record Level Of Prizes
Lottery Provides Record Returns From Core Products In Fiscal Year
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 27, 2010) - Ticket sales increased and players won a record total in prizes during the Iowa Lottery's latest financial year. Lottery profits to state causes, meanwhile, totalled nearly $58 million........Subscribers

Cedar Rapids Residents Continue Lottery Leadership
Mary Junge Re-Appointed To Lottery Board, Mike Klappholz to Serve as Board Chair
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 22, 2010) - Cedar Rapids residents continue to have a significant role in oversight of the Iowa Lottery. Mary Junge, a Cedar Rapids businesswoman, has been re-appointed to the Iowa Lottery Board.............Subscribers

Iowa's Casinos Are Taking a Hit From the Recession
DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 14, 2010) - Iowa's casinos are taking a hit from the recession. The state says casino revenue has dropped for the first time since 1993...............Subscribers

State Settles $150K Lawsuit Over TouchPlay Lottery Machines
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 6, 2010) - The State Appeal Board has approved a $150,000 claim against the state and the Iowa Lottery Authority over the state's ban on TouchPlay lottery games in 2006.......Subscribers

State Fair Tickets Will be Available Through Iowa Lottery Sales Terminals
Convenience Offered By Thousands of New Locations Where Fans Can Buy Fair Tickets
DES MOINES, Iowa (June 21, 2010) - Adult advance-admission tickets to the Iowa State Fair will be available through Iowa Lottery sales terminals this year for the first time, giving Fair fans nearly 2,000 locations statewide where they can buy tickets...........Subscribers

University of Iowa Athletics Weighs New Ad Links To Lottery
DES MOINES, Iowa (June 6, 2010) - University of Iowa athletic officials are considering reopening an advertising relationship with the state lottery three years after a similar arrangement ended in controversy...........Subscribers

Iowa Lottery Rejects All Bids For $42 Million Contract
DES MOINES, Iowa (June 1, 2010) -- Local news sources report that the Iowa Lottery has tossed out all bids for a contract worth an estimated $42 million over the next seven years.....................Subscribers

Board Member Reflects On Start of Lottery 25 Years Ago
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 24, 2010) -- Reports that as the Iowa Lottery celebrates it’s 25th year, a member of the board that governs the state-run enterprise reminisced this week about the rocky start for the idea. Elaine Baxter was a Democratic state representative from Burlington when the lottery concept came to a vote in the legislature...........................Subscribers

Iowa Lottery Appoints New Marketing Chief
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 20, 2010) -- Teri Wood TeBockhorst has been appointed marketing director of the Iowa Lottery. She replaces Joe Hrdlicka, who stepped down in February after more than a decade in the job.....................Subscribers

What Two Guys Will Do For 400 Lottery Tickets
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 19, 2010) - Would you spend the day handcuffed to someone else in order to get 400 free lottery tickets? .......................Subscribers

Iowa Lottery Profits Increased in March
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 20, 2010) -- As reported Iowa Lottery Chief Executive Terry Rich said Monday that lottery profits rebounded sharply in March, that he's still hoping to meet budget goals for the 12 months ending June 30.........................Subscribers

Iowans Can Save And Win Cash All Summer Long  
'Silver Ticket' Promotion Partners Tourism, Local Events, Attractions And Iowa Lottery
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 19, 2010) - Iowans can have fun all summer long – and win cash prizes or receive discounts to many festivals, attractions and businesses – in a promotion announced Monday that partners the Iowa Tourism Office and the Iowa Lottery....................Subscribers

Governor’s Plan Could See Around 20% of Iowa Lottery's Workforce Retire Early
DES MOINES, Iowa  (April 16, 2010) - It has been reported that a spokesman for Governor Chet Culver said Friday that more than 2,000 state employees who plan to retire early could mean more savings for state government..............Subscribers

Iowa Lottery Tells $200,000 Winner; “Hurry, hurry, don’t be late, we want to help you celebrate”
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (April 14, 2010) – Iowa Lottery officials came to Council  Bluffs Tuesday to seek out the $200,000 winner because the prize has to be claimed by 4 p.m. on May 10......................Subscribers

Promotion From Lottery & Prairie Meadows Offers Chance To See Horse-Racing Elite
'Racing To Riches' Instant-Scratch Game And Promotion Highlight Racing
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 8, 2010) - Lottery players have the chance to win cash prizes or trips to see three elite U.S. Thoroughbred races in the new "Racing to Riches" game and promotion from the Iowa Lottery and Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino...................Subscribers

It's So Easy: New Lottery Game and Promotions Aim to Keep it Simple
DES MOINES, Iowa (March 29, 2010) - Some say players have never had it so easy when it comes to the Iowa Lottery. That's because of three new concepts aimed at keeping it simple.....................Subscribers

Lottery Draws Winning Numbers in 'Pot O' Gold Raffle' Game
DES MOINES, Iowa (March 18, 2010) - The Iowa Lottery has selected the 102 winning numbers in its 2010 cash raffle game, and a ticket sold in Fort Dodge has won the game's top prize..................Subscribers

States Plan New Games, Lottery Options, Casinos to Make Up For Revenue Drop
DES MOINES, Iowa (March 16, 2010) – According to news sources, states faced with a drop in gambling revenue, are adding games, considering new casinos and increasing lottery options - anything to keep their cut of the profits rolling in.........................Subscribers

Iowa Lottery Loses Its Vice President of Marketing; Joe Hrdlicka Steps Down After Serving for More Than a Decade
DES MOINES, Iowa (March 9, 2010) - Joe Hrdlicka has stepped down after serving as Iowa Lottery's vice president of marketing for more than a decade....................Subscribers

Gubernatorial Appointments
DES MOINES, Iowa (March 3, 2010) - Gov. Chet Culver on Tuesday appointed or reappointed 210 Iowans to boards and commissions for terms slated to begin May 1. Most of the appointments are subject to confirmation by a two-thirds majority of the Iowa Senate.................Subscribers

Lawmaker Says Iowa Could Be First To Allow Online Gambling
DES MOINES, Iowa (February 26, 2010) -- Reports that a state lawmaker said Friday that Iowa could become the first state in the country to allow online gambling, and if the state wants to be on the leading edge, now is the time to do it......................Subscribers

Mega Millions off to Good Start in Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (February 22, 2010) – Iowa Lottery players have spent more than $500,000 on the Mega Millions jackpot game since sales were launched here on January 31................Subscribers

Ombudsman Concludes Lottery Safer Than In Past
DES MOINES, Iowa (February 9, 2010) - State Ombudsman William Angrick has ended a simmering feud with a top Iowa Lottery official, although he vowed Monday to keep watching whether the lottery is doing enough to protect customers from retailer fraud......................Subscribers

Lottery CEO Tells Oversight Committee of Possible New Opportunities for the State if Congress Considers Changes to Federal Law
Purchasing Tickets Online or Via Cell Phones Could be Possible in the Near Future
DES MOINES, Iowa (February 5, 2010) – According to local news sources the head of the Iowa State Lottery told lawmakers that purchasing tickets online or via cell phones could be possible in the near future as technological advances help weed out illegal sales and Congress considers changes to federal law........................Subscribers

Iowa Ombudsman Letter Sent To Iowa Lottery on 1-26-2010
DES MOINES, Iowa (February 5, 2010) Subject: Iowa Lottery’s Response to Ombudsman’s Recommendations
I am following up on our January 25, 2010, meeting at the Capitol regarding the recommendations from my office’s investigative report about the Iowa Lottery.......................Subscribers

Iowa Legislative Panel Backs Sports Betting
DES MOINES, Iowa (February 3, 2010) - A panel of state senators has signed off on a bill to allow sports betting in Iowa, but backers admit the odds of such wagering being legalized in Iowa are a long-shot.......................Subscribers

Sales Begin in Newest Iowa Lottery Games to Benefit Iowa Veterans Trust Fund
DES MOINES, Iowa (January 26, 2010) - Sales are underway in the newest round of Iowa Lottery games that raise proceeds for the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund.......................Subscribers

Iowa Players Will Benefit From Extended Lotto Game Sales Times
Starting Sunday, Players Will Have More Time to Buy Their Lotto Tickets
DES MOINES, Iowa (January 27, 2010) – Starting this weekend, lotto players in Iowa will have more time to buy tickets in their favorite games....................Subscribers

Sales Underway in Lottery's Cash Raffle Game With St. Pat's Drawing
Estimated $1 Million Top Prize In "Pot O' Gold Raffle"; Only 120,000 Tickets Available
DES MOINES, Iowa (January 19, 2010) - Sales have begun in the Iowa Lottery's new cash raffle game, which offers players 112 prizes ranging from an estimated $1,000 up to $1 million in a St. Patrick's Day drawing. Only 120,000 tickets will be sold for the "Pot O' Gold Raffle" and each will cost $20......................Subscribers

Iowa’s "Tech The Halls" Holiday Promotion Broke Records
We Have A Winner: Lottery's "Tech The Halls" Holiday Promotion Broke Records
Lottery Officials Say Results From 2009 Holiday Promotion Exceeded Expectations
DES MOINES, Iowa (January 13, 2010) - The Iowa Lottery is celebrating business success from the 2009 holiday season.......................Subscribers

Trash Reminder: Don't Toss Iowa Lottery Holiday Scratch Tickets Until After January 5
Players Have the Chance to 'Tech-the-Halls' Even After the Holidays
DES MOINES, Iowa – If you receive any Iowa Lottery holiday scratch tickets as gifts this season, Lottery Officials remind you to keep the non-winners..........................Subscribers

Lawmakers Agree to Mediate Dispute Between Agencies Over Iowa Lottery Security
IOWA (December 14, 2009) – According to a local media report relations have become so strained between feuding directors of two state agencies that a couple of Iowa lawmakers have agreed to step in as mediators....................Subscribers

Get 'Em While They're Hot
Even in a Tough Economy, Holiday-themed Lottery Scratch Tickets Flying Off The Shelves
DES MOINES, Iowa (December 7, 2009) – Going, going, not quite gone yet! Iowans continue to purchase holiday-themed scratch tickets in tough economic times.................Subscribers

Iowa Lottery Sales Up, Profits Down
DES MOINES, Iowa (November 29, 2009) - Iowa Lottery sales are running 4 percent ahead of a year ago, despite the national recession, although profits are down, The Des Moines Register reported lottery chief executive officer Terry Rich said.....................Subscribers

Iowa Lottery Board Approves Sale of Mega Millions Game
DES MOINES, Iowa (November 16, 2009) - The Iowa Lottery Board gave approval today for Iowa retailers to sell the multi-state Mega Millions game along with the Iowa-based Powerball lottery game...................Subscribers

Lottery Players Have Chance To Win Holiday Bonus Of Sought-After Electronics, Cash
'Tech The Halls' Holiday Bonus Promotion Runs Through Jan. 4
DES MOINES, Iowa (November 3, 2009)– Iowa Lottery players have the chance to win some of the season's hottest electronics and cash prizes in a holiday bonus promotion that runs through Jan. 4....................Subscribers

Lottery Head Says NO to Additional Pay Cut Ordered By Governor
DES MOINES, Iowa (October 24, 2009) - Some state agency heads say they won't take a pay cut and others haven't decided whether to abide by Governor Culver's call for salary reductions in response to severe budget problems................Subscribers

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit From TouchPlay Operator
DESMOINES, Iowa (October 22, 2009) - A Webster County judge has thrown out one of the final cases from the Iowa Lottery's former TouchPlay game, which was banned by state lawmakers three years ago....................Subscribers

Mega Millions, Powerball Talk About Cross-Selling Tickets With Potential for National Game
DES MOINES, Iowa (October 14, 2009) -- America's two biggest lottery games are talking about cross-selling tickets in U.S. lottery jurisdictions with the potential for a national lottery, the head of a lottery association said Tuesday..................Subscribers

Iowa Lottery Projects a 1% Increase in Next Fiscal Year
DES MOINES, Iowa (September 30, 2009) -- The Iowa Lottery Board approved a budget Tuesday that calls for a small increase in revenue in the next fiscal year..................Subscribers

Lottery Chief Hopes to Buck National Trends; Mike Klappholz Named Board Chairman
DES MOINES, Iowa (September 29, 2009) – A local newspaper reported today that Iowa’s lottery chief said on Tuesday he believes his enterprise can buck national downward trends for gambling with stable profits this year and a slight increase in fiscal 2011.................Subscribers

Lottery Plans Self-Serve Devices For Ticket Checking
Des Moines, Iowa (September 1, 2009) -- The Iowa Lottery is seeking contractors for a new online system that will permit lottery players to check their own tickets in the store to determine whether they've won lotto games such as Powerball or instant-scratch tickets, Lottery Chief Executive Officer ...........................Subscribers

Lottery Plans Self-Serve Devices For Ticket Checking
DES MOINES, Iowa (September 1, 2009) - The Iowa Lottery is seeking contractors for a new online system that will also permit lottery players to check their own tickets in the store to determine whether they've won lotto games such as Powerball or instant-scratch ticerskets.....................Subscribers

‘Rock The Stadium’ Promo Offers Chance To See Army vs Iowa State, Win Cyclone Season Tickets
Promotion Features Veterans-Benefit Lottery Tickets
DES MOINES, Iowa (August 19, 2009) – Iowa Lottery players can score big this football season and help Iowa's veterans when they play "The Freedom Rock™" instant-scratch game......................Subscribers

Tickets Handled Appropriately in Security Checks Involving $1.5 Million in Prizes
Operation Starburst Conducted In 48 Counties As Powerball Jackpot Continues To Climb
DES MOINES, Iowa (August 6, 2009) – The Iowa Lottery has conducted another round of unannounced security checks at retail locations across the state and store personnel again handled all tickets appropriately........................Subscribers

Iowa Lottery Letter Sent To Iowa Ombudsman on 8-4-2009
August 4th, 2009
Mr. William Angrick II
Iowa Citizens’ Aide/Ombudsman
Ola Babcock Miller Building
1112 E. Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50319
Dear Bill:
We have received your letter dated July 14th, 2009. This letter serves as your requested
written response and continues the thoughts of our original correspondence in April.
As we’ve discussed, there are really two basic principles in your recommendations with
which we disagree.........................Subscribers

Big Cuts To Lottery Expenses Reflected In Increased Revenue To General Fund
FY 2009 Results, Lottery Raises $60.6 Million For Iowa programs
Lottery Proceeds To State Up 7 Percent From Year Earlier
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 30, 2009) – The Iowa Lottery raised more than $60.6 million for state programs in its latest financial year, the highest profits total from the sale of lotto, instant-scratch and pull-tab games since the lottery's start in 1985................Subscribers

Iowa Lottery Teams Up With Artist of the Freedom Rock™ For Veterans Scratch Game
Monday Marks First Day of Sales In "The Freedom Rock" Game
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 13, 2009) – The Iowa Lottery is teaming up with the artist of an Iowa landmark for the latest instant-scratch game that will raise money to support veterans and their families through the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund.......................Subscribers

Win The Lottery’s Powerball Patrol Car!
DES MOINES, Iowa  (July 4, 2009) -  The Iowa Lottery is adding to the summer heat with a hot deal – they’re giving away a car! ....................Subscribers

Recent Checks of Lottery Sites Find No Evidence of Fraud
DESMOINES, Iowa (June 12, 2009) - Security checks at lottery ticket sale locations at about 200 locations statewide in recent months have revealed no improper payments of prizes to or by store personnel, Iowa's lottery chief told a panel of state legislators.......................Subscribers

Iowa Lottery Says Sales Meeting Expectations
Des Moines, Iowa (June 12, 2009) – As reported today the State Lottery says sales are down compared to last year, but lottery proceeds are on track to meet projections..............Subscribers

New Casinos May Have Negative Impact on Iowa Lottery Sales
DES MOINES, Iowa (May 28, 2009) -- Iowa Lottery profits could be hurt if state gambling regulators approve an expansion of the casino industry, news sources reported ..................Subscribers

New Lottery Chief Trying New Ways To Generate Excitement About State-Run Games
DES MOINES, Iowa (May 27, 2009) -- The Iowa Lottery's new chief executive officer is trying new ways to generate interest in the lottery, including ways to turning losing tickets into winners..................Subscribers

Lottery Game Stops Temporarily For Computer Error
DES MOINES, Iowa (May 26, 2009) -- The Iowa Lottery’s “Big Beepin’ Deal” promotion was shut down on Sunday, Monday and almost half of Tuesday because of an operator error on the lottery’s computer system,................Subscribers

Another Round of Security Checks Shows All Lottery Prizes Properly Paid
DES MOINES, Iowa (May 19, 2009) – The Iowa Lottery has conducted another round of unannounced security checks at retail locations across the state to see how winning tickets would be handled, and all prizes again were properly paid by store personnel....................Subscribers

Honey Creek Resort Selected As State’s First Major Attraction To Make Special ‘Experience Iowa’ Offer
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 30, 2009) - The first special offers available to Iowa Powerball players in the "Experience Iowa" campaign begin Sunday, with southern Iowa's new Honey Creek Resort offering $20 complimentary certificates that can be used for any activities at the destination resort..................Subscribers

Lottery's Latest Transfer Brings Total Raised For Veterans Trust Fund To Nearly $2.4 Million
Lottery Proceeds Will Help Iowa's Veterans And Their Families
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 29, 2009) - The Iowa Lottery on Wednesday made its latest transfer of proceeds to the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund, bringing the total raised for the Fund from the sale of lottery tickets to nearly $2.4 million...................Subscribers

Iowa Attractions, Businesses, Tourism Office, Lottery Join In Summer Tourism Push
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (April 24, 2009) – Businesses across the state have joined with the Iowa Tourism Office and the Iowa Lottery in an initiative designed to encourage people to travel Iowa this summer, frequent Iowa attractions and businesses, and give the entire state a boost in these tough economic times.....................Subscribers

Ombudsman’s Report Prompts Lottery Safeguards
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 23, 2009) -- The Iowa Lottery CEO is reported by local media sources as saying on Wednesday his agency is beefing up security measures that he expects within six months will remove many of the concerns raised by a citizen watchdog this week........................Subscribers

Ombudsman’s Investigation of the Iowa Lottery - Report
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 21, 2009) -- The Iowa Lottery has failed to adequately protect its customers from fraud and theft by retailers................Subscribers

Lottery Response To Ombudsman
Dear Bill:
Thank you for providing us with a copy of your upcoming report. We know that your office spent a lot of time and effort to produce it and we are happy to review your work........................Subscribers

Ombudsman: Iowa Lottery Faces 'Serious Challenges' With Security
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 10, 2009) -- The Iowa Lottery, which sells tickets at about 2,500 retail outlets statewide, faces “some serious challenges” in preventing retailer fraud....................Subscribers

Another Round of Security Checks Shows All Lottery Prizes Properly Paid
Lottery Conducts Checks in Eight Communities
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 10, 2009) -- The Iowa Lottery has conducted another round of unannounced security checks at Iowa retail locations to see how winning tickets would be handled, and all prizes again were properly paid by store personnel.......................Subscribers

Iowa Lottery Keeps Super Sampler
DES MOINES, Iowa (March 27, 2009) – The Iowa Lottery is bringing back its "Super Sampler" promotion, a popular offering that debuted last summer and offered lottery players a discount on some Powerball and Hot Lotto purchases..................Subscribers

Iowa Lottery to Put Big Emphasis on Marketing
DES MOINES, Iowa (March 26, 2009) – According to local media reports the Iowa Lottery plans an aggressive new marketing campaign aimed at increasing profits for the cash-strapped state budget while promoting state tourism...................Subscribers

Iowa Lottery Security Conducts Checks, All Prizes Properly Paid By Iowa Retailers
DES MOINES, Iowa (March 12, 2009) --  In a continuation of its focus on player security, the Iowa Lottery recently conducted unannounced security checks at more than 120 lottery retail locations across the state to see how winning tickets would be handled. All prizes were properly paid by store personnel..............Subscribers

New Lottery chief Receives Nod from Senate Government Committee
DES MOINES, Iowa (February 26. 2009) -- Iowa’s lottery is a mature enterprise that can be better utilized to promote state attractions and quality of life in the process of selling gambling products, the state operations new leader is reported as saying Wednesday...................Subscribers

New CEO Will Take Direction On Lottery Lease From State's Elected Leaders
DES MOINES, Iowa (February 12, 2009) -- The new chief executive of the Iowa Lottery said on Wednesday he has heard arguments on both sides about the proposal to lease the lottery, but he will ultimately carry out the wishes of the state's elected leaders......................Subscribers

Lawmakers Revisit Lottery Lease Proposal
DES MOINES, Iowa (February 5, 2009) -- A possible lease of the Iowa Lottery to private investors remains alive in the Iowa Legislature, despite Governor Chet Culver's efforts to quash debate on the issue, key lawmakers said on Wednesday.....................Subscribers

Governor Culver Names Terry Rich to be Iowa Lottery CEO
DES MOINES, Iowa (February 4, 2009) – Governor Chet Culver has named Terry Rich as the Iowa Lottery’s new Chief Executive Officer...................Subscribers

National Economy and Natural Disasters Cause fall in Lottery Revenue
DES MOINES, Iowa (January 29, 2009) -- Iowa Lottery spokeswoman Mary Neubauer reportedly told lawmakers, as part of the legislature’s Oversight Committee, that projected sales in the current budget year will fall by $15.3 million (6.1 percent) compared with the $249.2 million in sales last year.............Subscribers

Governor Scratches Idea of Leasing State Lottery
DES MOINES, Iowa (January 24, 2009) – Governor Culver’s chief of staff Charlie Krogmeier is reported to have said today that there is no plan to sell or lease the state lottery. Krogmeier said that Culver’s budget plans that will be released next week, will not include a line item for the lease of the lottery..............Subscribers

Republicans Suggests Selling Iowa Lottery To Pension Fund
DES MOINES, Iowa (January 22, 2009) -- Republican legislative leaders are reported as saying lawmakers should consider selling Iowa's State Lottery to the giant fund that pays for state worker pensions..................Subscribers