National Lotteries

Play the Lottery Online

Welcome to our redesigned website where you can play the South African Lottery and other National Lottos online. Instead of finding and traveling to a local vendor, and then standing in line to buy a lottery ticket, you instead play the lotto via the Internet from the comfort of your own home or computer (anywhere […]

First UK National Lottery Draw

19th November, 1994

The first UK National Lottery draw took place on November 19, 1994.

North Dakota rejects a State lottery

7th November, 1986

In November 1986 North Dakota became the first US State to reject a State lottery. It was later approved in 2002.

Massachusetts sells first scratchcard

1st January, 1974

In 1974 Massachusetts sold the first lotto scratchcards (“instant scratch-off tickets”).

New Hampshire creates first state lottery

12th March, 1964

In 1964 New Hampshire created the first State lottery and became the first State to sell lottery tickets in the modern era.

Irish Sweepstakes launched

4th June, 1930

In 1930 the Irish Sweepstakes was launched and even though tickets were illegal outside Ireland, millions were sold in the US, UK and Canada.

First drawing of Queensland State Lottery

14th June, 1917

On June 14, 1917 the Queensland State Lottery of Australia (“Golden Casket”) held its first drawing, thus becoming the first lottery in the 20th century.

Netherlands begins world’s oldest lottery

7th January, 1726

The Dutch state-owned Staatsloterij (“State Lottery”), established 1726, is the world’s oldest continuously operating lottery.

First recorded official lottery

7th January, 1566

In 1566 Queen Elizabeth I chartered the first recorded official lottery (“English state lottery”).

First French lottery

7th January, 1539

King Francis I of France authorized the first French lottery, the Loterie Royale in 1539.

First Italian lottery

9th January, 1449

The first recorded Italian lottery was held on January 9, 1449 in Milan to finance the war against the Republic of Venice.

First recorded lotteries to offer money

9th May, 1445

In the 15th century, the first recorded lotteries that offered tickets for sale with money prizes were held in the Low Countries (mainly, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg). Records from L’Ecluse (now, “Sluis” in the Netherlands) dated May 9, 1445 mention raising funds via a lottery to build walls and town fortifications.

South Africa Lotto Results

Suid-Afrikaanse Lotery

Join Our Lotto Syndicate

Play the Lottery Online

Featured

South Africa Lotto Results

Suid-Afrikaanse Lotery

Gambling News

Mega Millions to adjust starting jackpot amount, eliminate minimum increases

Lottos

Ukraine – Loto Maxima

Lottery Jokes

Lotteries, dating, and religion