One of the Oldest Lotteries in America
The Delaware Lottery was established on May 31, 1974, and sold its first tickets in March 1975. That places Delaware among the earliest wave of modern U.S. state lotteries, alongside Massachusetts, Ohio, and Maryland — all launched within a few years of each other in the early-to-mid 1970s.
Revenue and the Delaware General Fund
Unlike many states that earmark lottery revenue for education or specific programs, Delaware directs its lottery proceeds into the General Fund, giving the legislature flexibility in how the money is spent. Since inception the Delaware Lottery has contributed more than $6.0 billion to the state. In fiscal year 2023 alone, the contribution was roughly $239.6 million. For a state with a population of approximately one million residents, those numbers are substantial — lottery revenue is the fifth-largest source of revenue for Delaware.
A Small State with a Big Lottery Presence
Delaware is the second-smallest state by population (roughly 1 million people), yet it operates a proportionally active lottery with a full slate of daily digit games, an exclusive lotto game, and participation in multiple multi-state drawings. The combination of a compact population and accessible retail network means Delaware's per-capita lottery spending consistently ranks above the national average.
Unique and Exclusive Games
Multi-Win Lotto is Delaware's signature game. Each $2 ticket gives the player three lines of six numbers drawn from a 1-to-35 pool, and prizes can be won by matching within a single line or by combining matches across all three lines. No other state offers this exact mechanic, making it a genuinely unique product in the U.S. lottery landscape.
Lotto America is a multi-state game with a smaller footprint than Powerball or Mega Millions, shared among roughly 13 states. It gives Delaware players access to a rolling jackpot starting at $2 million with more favorable odds than the two headline games.
Games That Have Come and Gone
Delaware previously offered Cash 5, which was retired in 2015, and Lucky For Life, which was discontinued in February 2026. The lottery continually evaluates its portfolio to keep the game lineup competitive and engaging.
Casino and Sports Betting
Delaware also generates significant revenue from casino gaming and sports betting, which operate separately from the traditional lottery. Delaware was one of the first states to legalize single-game sports wagering after the Supreme Court ruling in 2018, further diversifying its gaming revenue streams.
For a full breakdown of every game currently available, see the Delaware Lottery Games Overview.
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