A Voter-Approved Lottery
The Missouri Lottery was established in 1986 after voters approved a constitutional amendment in November 1984 authorizing the state to operate a lottery. The amendment specified that net lottery proceeds would be dedicated to public education, a mandate that has remained in effect for four decades. Missouri became part of a wave of states that adopted lotteries in the 1980s to supplement education funding without raising taxes.
Revenue and Mission
Since its founding, the Missouri Lottery has transferred billions of dollars to public education. Lottery proceeds flow into the Lottery Proceeds Fund, which supports elementary, secondary, and higher education programs across the state. Missouri consistently ranks among the top states in the percentage of lottery revenue returned to its designated beneficiary.
Key Milestones
- 1984: Missouri voters approve a constitutional amendment authorizing the state lottery
- 1986: Missouri Lottery begins operations with the first instant scratch-off tickets
- 1988: The first Lotto draw game launches, offering Missouri's first in-state jackpot
- 1995: Missouri joins the Powerball multi-state lottery consortium
- 2010: Missouri joins Mega Millions through the national cross-selling agreement
- 2025: MO Millions replaces the original Lotto game (which had been a 6/44 format), introducing the 6/42 format with the Bulls-Eye feature
The End of Lotto and Rise of MO Millions
Missouri's original Lotto game, a 6/44 format, ran for decades as the state's flagship jackpot game. In 2025, the Missouri Lottery retired Lotto and replaced it with MO Millions, a modernized 6/42 game featuring the Bulls-Eye mechanic. The change was designed to improve odds, increase prize payouts, and add a unique gameplay element that distinguishes MO Millions from other state jackpot games.
Impact and Legacy
Over four decades, the Missouri Lottery has grown from scratch-off tickets into a comprehensive gaming operation with six draw games, instant tickets, and pull-tabs. Its unwavering dedication to education funding has made it a model for voter-mandated lottery programs. For a full breakdown of every current game, see our MO Lottery Games Guide, or visit the Missouri lottery dashboard for live results and analysis.
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