T-shirt depicting the original logo for the Minnesota State Lottery; the natural setting, loon, and bright star are all intended to remind Minnesotans that the revenue from the lottery funds environmental resources. The logo was updated in 2014 in honor of the lottery’s 25th anniversary. From HHM Collection.
By Linnea Dahlquist
Lotteries go back surprisingly early in American history. In 1612, King James I authorized a lottery to help finance ships transporting colonists to Jamestown. By the 1700s lotteries regularly funded for roads, bridges, and churches; Benjamin Franklin even used one in 1748 to create a militia to defend against the French. In the 1800s, however, corruption combined with a growing moral and religious opposition to gambling resulted in a decline in the popularity of lotteries. Interest in them would not be reignited until the 1960s, when inflation and increasing state-service costs forced legislators to seek new revenue sources without increasing taxes.
During the 1980s, multiple states began adopting lotteries, and Minnesota legislatures debated over whether or not they should join them. In 1988 the issue was put to a vote. Opponents argued that lotteries provided limited revenue, could encourage illegal or compulsive gambling, and acted as a regressive burden on low-income communities. Supporters countered that a state-run lottery could fund important public programs, keep gambling revenue within the state, and offer a regulated alternative to illegal betting. On November 8th of that year, a constitutional amendment to relax the state-wide ban on lotteries was passed with 58% of voters in favor. The following year, the Minnesota State Lottery was created with a unique mandate: to split its proceeds between the state’s General Fund and programs that protect Minnesota’s natural resources. In April of 1990, lottery tickets would officially go on sale at 4,000 retail outlets throughout the state.
In 2024, the lottery awarded $476,388,638 to players and has split $196,524,505 between the several funds: the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund; the Game & Fish Fund; the General Fund; the Natural Resources Fund; and the Minnesota Department of Human Services compulsive gambling program. Since its inception, the Lottery has contributed more than four billion dollars to the state. Today, it remains a major source of revenue for both conservation efforts and public services across Minnesota.
Author Bio: Linnea Dahlquist holds two B. A’s, one in Cultural Anthropology with a minor in art history from Minnesota State University Moorhead and the other focusing on History, Archaeology, and Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature from the University of Minnesota. In addition, they received a certificate in Museum Studies from the University of Washington. They often go down rabbit holes on a variety of topics but are especially drawn to anything relating to visual arts, crafts, folklore and mythology, music, identity expression, performing arts, and food. In their spare time they enjoy crafting and hanging out with their cat.
Sources:
Neuman, Scott. “The Settlers Brought the Lottery to America. It’s Had a Long, Uneven History.” NPR, August 9, 2023. https://www.npr.org/2023/08/09/1192893936/mega-millions-powerball-lottery-history-in-america.
“Minnesota State Lottery.” NASPL, n.d. https://www.naspl.org/naspl-lottery-members/minnesota-state-lottery.
“Minnesota State Lottery.” Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, n.d. https://www.lrl.mn.gov/agencies/detail?AgencyID=1799.
Whereatt, Robert. “Step Up, Take Your Chances April 17.” Star Tribune. March 21, 1990, Minneapolis edition. https://startribune.newspapers.com/image/191863141/?match=1.
Costantini, Allen, and KARE. “Minnesota Lottery Turns 25, Shows off New Logo.” KARE 11. April 17, 2014. https://www.kare11.com/article/news/minnesota-lottery-turns-25-shows-off-new-logo/89-107329150.
This project was made possible in part by the people of Minnesota through a grant funded by an appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Any views, findings, opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society, or the Minnesota Historic Resources Advisory Committee.