From Amendment to First Ticket
In November 1986, Kansas voters approved a constitutional amendment authorizing a state lottery. The Kansas Lottery began selling tickets on November 12, 1987, making it one of the earlier Midwest states to establish a lottery. The initial offerings were instant scratch-off games, with draw games following shortly after.
Revenue and Mission
Unlike many states that dedicate lottery revenue to education, Kansas directs its lottery proceeds to economic development and corrections programs. The Kansas Lottery has transferred hundreds of millions of dollars to state coffers since its inception. The state levies a 5% tax on lottery winnings.
Key Milestones
- 1986: Voters approve constitutional amendment authorizing the Kansas Lottery
- 1987: Kansas Lottery begins operations; first tickets sold November 12
- 1988: First draw games launch, including Pick 3 and Super Kansas Cash
- 1992: Kansas joins Powerball as a founding member state
- 2002: 2by2 multi-state game launches in Kansas
- 2010: Mega Millions becomes available through cross-selling agreement
- 2017: Lotto America relaunches as a multi-state game with Kansas participation
- 2026: Millionaire For Life replaces Lucky for Life in February
Super Kansas Cash: The State's Signature Game
Super Kansas Cash has been the Kansas Lottery's flagship in-state game since its early days. The 5/32 + Cash Ball 1/25 format offers jackpot odds of roughly 1 in 6.25 million — far more favorable than multi-state games. The rolling jackpot structure has produced numerous six-figure winners across the state.
Impact and Legacy
The Kansas Lottery has grown from simple scratch-off offerings to a full portfolio of seven draw games, instant games, and online play. Its unique revenue allocation to economic development and corrections sets it apart from most state lotteries. For a full breakdown of every current game, see our KS Lottery Games Guide, or visit the Kansas lottery dashboard for live results and analysis.
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