Green Mountain State Lottery Origins
The Vermont Lottery was established in 1978, making it one of the earlier state lotteries in the United States. The Green Mountain State launched its lottery program to generate revenue for public services, and it has since grown into a comprehensive gaming operation offering eight draw games alongside instant scratch-off tickets.
The Tri-State Lottery Commission
In 1985, Vermont joined Maine and New Hampshire to form the Tri-State Lottery Commission — one of the first multi-state lottery compacts in the U.S. This groundbreaking partnership operates several shared games including Pick 3, Pick 4, Gimme 5, and the flagship Megabucks. The compact allows three smaller-population states to offer larger prizes than they could individually, with a shared player pool and coordinated draws. The Tri-State model influenced later multi-state agreements that led to Powerball and Mega Millions.
Revenue and the Education Fund
Vermont Lottery revenue is directed to the Education Fund, supporting schools and educational programs across the state. Since its inception, the Vermont Lottery has returned hundreds of millions of dollars to education. The state levies a 6% tax on lottery winnings — moderate compared to neighboring states.
Key Milestones
- 1978: Vermont Lottery established
- 1985: Tri-State Lottery Commission formed with ME and NH
- 1985: Megabucks launches as the Tri-State flagship game
- 2003: Vermont joins Powerball
- 2010: Mega Millions becomes available through cross-selling agreement
- 2012: Lucky for Life added to the game portfolio
- 2026: Millionaire For Life expands the game lineup
Megabucks: The Tri-State Flagship
Megabucks (5/41 + Megaball 1/6) has been the signature Tri-State game since the compact's formation. With a $1 million starting jackpot and odds of approximately 1 in 4,496,388, it offers regional jackpot excitement at far better odds than national games. The shared player pool across Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire builds jackpots while maintaining favorable odds.
Impact and Legacy
The Vermont Lottery has evolved from its 1978 origins to a full portfolio of eight draw games spanning Tri-State regional games, multi-state life-prize games, and national mega-jackpots. For a full breakdown of every current game, see our VT Lottery Games Guide, or visit the Vermont lottery dashboard for live results and analysis.
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