The Delaware Lottery will be celebrating its 45th year of operations this Friday, October 30. To kick-off its year-long celebration, the lottery will be featuring new games, events and promotions in honour of the occasion.
Delaware was quick to adopt a lottery of its own when states began forming government-regulated lotteries in the 1960s and 1970s, beginning a tradition that has kept pace with changing games and technology since 1975.
Vernon Kirk, Director of the Delaware Lottery, said: “We’re excited to celebrate this milestone with our players. Since 1975, we’ve supported state services that help Delaware thrive, and to date, the Delaware Lottery has generated over $5.6bn in revenue for the State General Fund. That legacy—one that anyone who’s played the Delaware Lottery is a part of—is worth celebrating.”
Through its contributions to the State General Fund, the lottery generates income for public services like education, health and social services, public safety and child, youth and family services. In the fiscal year 2020, the lottery’s contribution was $177.4m, making it the state’s fifth-largest revenue generator.
Kirk, as well as a select few retailers, has been a part of The Diamond State’s lottery since day one of its operations. Before his appointment to Director in 2011, he served in a variety of operational, administrative and financial management capacities with the lottery.
While the total number of Delaware Lottery retailers has grown to over 600 locations, five retailers have been standing for the past 45 years. They comprise James & Jesse’s Barber in Wilmington, Steve’s Tavern in Wilmington, Manor Pharmacy in New Castle, Naaman’s Beverage Mart in Claymont, and Bayville Package Store in Selbyville
In honour of the anniversary celebrations, the lottery has revealed of a new family of instant games: Celebrating 45 Years. The four limited-edition instant game tickets are now available for purchase at local Delaware retailers.
All non-winning Celebrating 45 years instant game tickets will also be eligible for second chance drawings with Collect ‘N Win, the lottery’s loyalty and rewards program that launched in 2019. More anniversary celebrations will come from the lottery throughout the year.