The Georgia Lottery for Education Act is passed by the Georgia General Assembly during the 1992 legislative session.
November 1992
Georgia voters approve the constitutional amendment allowing the lottery to operate.
December 15, 1992
The Governor swears in a seven-member board of directors. The independent board, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, is responsible for hiring a president and for overseeing the operations of the lottery. Members serve staggered terms.
1993
February 19, 1993
The Georgia Lottery Board, lead by Chairman Dave Garrett, unanimously approved Rebecca Paul as the GLC's President and CEO. She begins the task of hiring staff for the corporation as well as leasing office space and furniture, hiring an advertising firm, a public relations firm, and a computer firm to start the company from scratch. Planning to meet the target start-up date of July 1, she leads a team armed with innovative concepts to quickly put lottery tickets on sale.
June 29, 1993
Sales begin, two days before target date, with more than $13 million in tickets sold on the first day. A launch celebration is held at Underground Atlanta with George Jones and the Pointer Sisters providing entertainment.
July 6, 1993
Tremendous first-week sales are the equivalent of $7.80 per capita -- the highest first-week per capita sales ever. Retailers numbering close to 5,000 across the state, sell more than 52 million tickets during the first week. Players across the state win more than $25 million in prizes.
July 9, 1993
The Georgia Lottery Corporation pays back its start-up loan.
July 12, 1993
Demand is so high for the first two instant games -- Instant Cash and Georgia Millionaire --that the third and fourth games -- Cool Cash and Magnolia Millions -- are introduced weeks ahead of schedule.
July 31, 1993
The first Georgia Millionaire Grand Prize Drawing is held at Phipps Plaza in Atlanta, offering a grand prize of $1,000 a week for life. Six more live, televised drawings are held over the following months.
August 10, 1993
CASH 3, the Lottery's first on-line game, is introduced with first- day sales of over $676,000. Average weekly sales are $3.5 million for the first month.
August 27, 1993
With the introduction of Lucky 7s and Touchdown, the Lottery has successfully introduced six instant games within eight weeks.
September 10, 1993
Lotto Georgia, the second on-line game, is introduced with an estimated start-up jackpot of $2 million.
September 18, 1993
The first Lotto Georgia drawing is held at 11 p.m. in Atlanta, capping off a day of celebration and festivities at Stone Mountain. No one selected the six winning numbers so the jackpot rolls over to an estimated $3 million for the next week's drawing.
October 16, 1993
Two winning tickets match all six numbers drawn in the Lotto Georgia drawing. Georgia's first Lotto millionaires, Johnnie and Rebecca Seiple of Lithonia, and Jerry and Shelby Rigdon of Metter, share a jackpot of $7.5 million.
November 30, 1993
The GLC is named the winner of Georgia Trend magazine's first annual Donald R. Keough Award for Marketing Excellence. Total sales to date have exceeded $450 million.
December 1, 1993
Five months after start-up, Lottery sales surpass $463.5 million, the amount projected for its entire first year.
December 11, 1993
CASH 3 achieves $7.5 million in sales for the week, the highest weekly total since the game was introduced. Sales surpass $1 million every day but one in the month of December.
December 15, 1993
GLC Board of Directors adopts a revised budget for fiscal 1994 that projects total sales of $898 million, an increase of 94 percent over the original estimate. The new budget anticipates $280 million in proceeds for education, a 102 percent increase above the original estimate.
1994
January 1, 1994
A single ticket sold in Smyrna matches all six winning numbers to claim the highest Lotto Georgia jackpot ever. Sales on Saturday alone reach a record $4.2 million. Otis Andrews of Atlanta buys the winning ticket, and wins a $16.3 million jackpot.
February 6, 1994
Quik Pik is introduced for both Lotto Georgia and CASH 3.
February 9, 1994
Board member Wyckliffe A. Knox, Jr. of Augusta is elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Lottery Corporation.
May 7, 1994
The CASH 3 game sets new weekly sales record with $11.1 million in sales.
May 17, 1994
Sales by the close of business put the Georgia Lottery over $1 Billion in total sales since its inception.
May 20, 1994
GLC President and CEO Rebecca Paul receives 1994 "Marketer of the Year" award from the Atlanta chapter of American Marketing Association.
June 4, 1994
Instant Cash Anniversary, a special commemorative edition of the Georgia Lottery's first instant ticket game, goes on sale and offers a top prize of $25,000.
June 29, 1994
The Georgia Lottery celebrates its first anniversary at Underground Atlanta. Rebecca Paul releases year-end figures reflecting total sales of $1.1 Billion. First-year per capita sales of $164.81 eclipse the previous record of $128 set by Florida in 1988.
July 15, 1994
A final quarterly payment to the Lottery for Education Account brings the GLC's total proceeds to education for its first year to $362 million, or $223 million more than originally projected.
August 9, 1994
Georgia Jackpot, the Lottery's first $2 instant ticket, goes on sale featuring a unique square shape and a top prize of $25,000.
August 22, 1994
Ticket sales for the previous week total $27.8 million, the highest mark since the Lottery's first week in operation. Instant games post $9.9 million in sales for the week, the best showing of 1994, due to strong sales of the Georgia Jackpot game.
August 25, 26, 1994
The number 571 is drawn on consecutive nights in the CASH 3 game. This is the first time this happens in the game's history.
October 29, 1994
After four weeks without a grand prize winner, the Lotto Georgia jackpot estimate hits $20 million, the highest in the game's history. In the week that follows, skyrocketing sales prompt President Rebecca Paul to increase the estimate three times to an all-time high of $28 million.
November 5, 1994
Two tickets match all six numbers drawn to win the highest Lotto Georgia jackpot ever -- $28 million.
November 14, 1994
The Georgia Lottery introduces its newest on-line game, Fantasy 5. Ticket sales begin at 6 a.m. for the pick 5 of 35 game, which will feature twice-weekly drawings on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 p.m.
November 17, 1994
The number 444 is drawn in the CASH 3 game, producing a record prize payout of $11.5 million.
1995
March 9, 1995
Georgia Lottery sales top $1 billion for fiscal year 1995-two months earlier than last fiscal year, when sales reached $1 billion in May.
March 12, 13, 1995
The number 706 is drawn on consecutive nights in the CASH 3 game. This is the second time this happens in the game's history.
May 23, 1995
The GLC launches a new $2 instant game, Olympic Gold, offering chances to win tickets to Gold Medal events of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games to be held in Atlanta and $50,000 -- the largest instant cash top prize ever on a Georgia Lottery instant game.
June 29, 1995
To celebrate its second anniversary, the GLC brings Powerball to Georgia. Tickets for the twice-weekly (Wednesday and Saturday) on-line game go on sale today. Georgia is the 19th U.S. lottery to participate in Powerball, a multi-state lotto game that offers players nine ways to win. The GLC's sales for its second year total a phenomenal $1.42 billion.
July 1, 1995
Marking the Georgia Lottery's entrance into the Powerball game, the live drawing is held in Atlanta at Tower Place in Buckhead.
July 4, 1995
Felecia Renae Smith, a Palmetto English teacher, claims $767,335, the single largest top prize for Fantasy 5.
July 17, 1995
The final FY 1995 transfer payment is made to the Lottery for Education Account, bringing the total amount returned to the state for the Lottery's second year to over $500 million.
August 5, 1995
Angela Thomas of Belvedere, SC matches all six numbers to win a $9 million Lotto Georgia jackpot. Augusta retailer Smile Gas #65 nets a $50,000 bonus for selling her the winning ticket.
September 9, 1995
Roger Staten Sr. of Alma is the first Georgia player to match all five numbers and the Powerball number to win a $19 million Powerball jackpot. Alma retailer, Jewel's 7-11, gets a $25,000 bonus for selling the winning jackpot ticket.
September 18, 1995
The GLC is named "Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Local Corporate Award Winner" for 1995 as part of Minority Enterprise Development Week. The prestigious award is given to the corporation that provides outstanding support to the growth and development of minority business enterprise.
October 26, 1995
On the night of Game 5 of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Atlanta Braves, the winning number 555 in CASH 3 yields a payout of $5 million, the game's fifth highest ever.
November 2, 1995
Drawings of the Fantasy 5 game increase to four nights a week -- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
December 15, 1995
The Georgia Lottery launches its newest on-line game, Quick Cash, with daily draws every five minutes. The first draw occurs at 6:05 a.m. and the last draw occurs at 11:45 p.m. Players will find Quick Cash at many of their traditional retailers and at new locations such as restaurants, bars, bowling alleys and other social environments.
1996
January 16, 1996
The GLC's second payment for FY 1996 brings its total contribution to The Lottery for Education Account to more than $1 BILLION.
March 1996
March Madness at the GLC. The Georgia Lottery records more than $153 Million in total ticket sales during the month of March. This is the highest volume of monthly sales in the history of the Georgia Lottery.
June 1996
The 50 Olympic Gold finalists are entered into a drawing for two VIP Olympic Games ticket packages and two $50,000 cash prizes.
June 30, 1996
The Georgia Lottery closes FY 1996 with sales of nearly $1.6 Billion and returns to the state $543,234,000 for specific education programs.
July 7, 1996
Drawings for Fantasy 5 increase to five nights a week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights at 11:00 p.m.
July 19, 1996
The Centennial Olympic Games come to Atlanta. The Georgia Lottery operates three kiosks inside the Olympic ring for players from home and around the world.
August 31, 1996
The Georgia Lottery leaves Powerball and joins The Big Game. The Big Game is a new multi-state game with five other states participating. Tickets for The Big Game go on sale.
September 4, 1996
Fantasy 5 adds Wednesday drawings - players can now play Fantasy 5 six nights a week.
September 6, 1996
The first Big Game drawing is held in Chicago, Illinois.
November 22, 1996
One lucky Georgian splits a $14 million jackpot in The Big Game with one player from Illinois.
1997
February 13, 1997
The number 888 is drawn in CASH 3 resulting in a payout of more than $17.3 million, a new record.
March 1997
March Madness at the GLC AGAIN! The Georgia Lottery records more than $161 million in total ticket sales during the month of March. This is the highest volume of monthly sales in the history of the Georgia Lottery.
April 4, 1997
The Big Game jackpot reaches $79 million, the largest sum to date. The Warren Family of Rossville, Georgia is one of three lucky winners.
April 6, 1997
The Georgia Lottery introduces its newest on-line game, CASH 4. CASH 4 is a four-digit game drawn nightly at 11 p.m. There are 13 ways to win with a top prize of $5,000.
June 30, 1997
The Georgia Lottery closes FY 1997 with sales of $1.72 Billion and returns to the state $581,439,000 for specific education programs. The Georgia Lottery is one of very few lotteries to increase its sales four consecutive years.
August 6, 1997
Four months to the day of the launch of CASH 4, the Georgia Lottery pays out over $2.4 million to lucky CASH 4 players across the state when the numbers 2222 are drawn. This is the largest payout in the game's four-month history.
September 1997
Rebecca Paul is elected President of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, NASPL. Serving as NASPL's 18th President, Paul will advance its mission of exchanging ideas and educating people about lotteries and the benefits of lottery organizations.
October 15, 1997
The Georgia Lottery makes its first quarter FY 1998 transfer to the Lottery for Education Account bringing the total contributions to education since the inception of the lottery to more than $2 Billion.
November 15, 1997
The Georgia Lottery welcomed its 100th millionaire. Lawrence Bailey won $8.6 million in Lotto Georgia.
December 26, 1997
The number 444 is drawn in CASH 3 resulting in a payout of more than $12.2 million, the second largest payout.
1998
January 12, 1998
CASH 3 begins midday drawings - Monday through Saturday at 12:29 PM - in addition to the evening drawings.
February 6, 1998
The Big Game drawing moves to Atlanta.
February 10, 1998
Big Game drawings increase to two days a week, Tuesday and Friday at 11 PM EST.
February 20, 1998
The number 333 is drawn in CASH 3 resulting in a payout of more than $13.5 million.
February 27, 1998
The number 888 is drawn in CASH 3 resulting in a payout of more than $17.5 million - the largest payout in the history of the game.
February 1998
Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program surpasses the $500 million mark in scholarships awarded since its creation in September 1993. A total of 300,478 students received $509.2 million from the program funded by the GLC.
March 1998
March Madness strikes again! The Georgia Lottery records more than $178 million in total ticket sales during the month of March. Weekly sales for the month averaged over $40.5 million.
March 10, 1998
The Georgia Lottery Corporation surpasses the $7 Billion mark in total sales since its launch in June of 1993.
March 14, 1998
The Georgia Lottery Corporation launches its official presence on the World Wide Web. The GLC can be located at www.galottery.com.
March 17, 1998
Weekly Grand, the Lottery's first three dollar instant game, is introduced -offering a lucky player the chance to win $1,000 a week for the next twenty years.
March 20, 1998
The number 2222 is drawn in CASH 4 resulting in a payout of $9 million - the largest payout in the history of the game.
April 7, 1998
One lucky Georgian, Walter Mitchell of Atlanta, splits a $60 million jackpot in The Big Game with one player from Illinois. Mr. Mitchell's winnings are $30 million, the largest prize awarded to any Georgia winner of any Georgia Lottery game.
June 7, 1998
Georgia Lottery President Rebecca Paul was honored by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters as "Georgian of the Year." The Georgian of the Year is the highest non-broadcast honor presented by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters annually for outstanding contributions to the state of Georgia and the betterment of life in the state. She is the first and only woman to receive this prestigious award.
June 17, 1998
The number 199 is drawn in CASH 3 for two consecutive drawings -at midday, and then again during the evening drawing. This is the third time in the history of the game that the same number has been drawn in two consecutive drawings. It is the first time this has happened on the same day.
June 23, 1998
The number 444 is drawn in CASH 3 resulting in a payout of more than $6.9 million.
June 26, 1998
The Georgia Lottery Corporation introduces a Cash Option payment plan for Lotto Georgia. Jackpot winners will have the choice to receive their prize as a lump sum payment immediately or as an annuity payment over 30 years.
June 29, 1998
The GLC holds its 5th Anniversary Celebration and Winner's Reunion at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon, Georgia. We're five years old and celebrating raising more than $2.38 billion for education in Georgia. Rebecca Paul also announces a surprise for players - Lotto Georgia will now have a cash option, meaning, jackpot winners will have the choice to receive their prize as a lump sum payment immediately or as an annuity payment over 30 years. The Lotto Georgia cash option is scheduled to go into effect in late July.
The GLC closed the 1998 fiscal year with sales totaling $1.736 Billion.
July 13, 1998
Georgia Lottery President Rebecca Paul is the 1998 recipient of the Public Gaming Research Institute's Major P. J. O'Connell Lifetime Lottery Achievement Award. This award is presented to individuals based on outstanding service and contributions within the lottery and public gaming industry. The award is the highest honor offered by the organization.
According to Duane Burke, CEO of the Public Gaming Research Institute, Rebecca Paul was chosen based on her significant contributions within the public gaming industry. Her tremendous track record of success makes her the perfect recipient of this award. Rebecca Paul has successfully headed three state lotteries; Georgia, Florida and Illinois. She is currently the President of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries. She is the former president of the International Lottery Association and was an executive committee member for the Multi-State Lottery Board. In addition, she is noted as successfully consulting numerous lotteries, both in the United States and abroad. Ms. Paul is the sixth recipient of the Major P.J. O'Connell Lifetime Lottery Achievement Award.
August 30, 1998
William Stroud of Atlanta becomes the largest winner of a Fantasy 5 top prize - $804,565.
October 15, 1998
Since inception, the Georgia Lottery Corporation has contributed more than $2.7 Billion to Georgia HOPE Scholarship Program, Georgia Prekindergarten Program, and capital outlay programs.
November 13, 1998
The Georgia Lottery Corporation is honored in Washington D.C. with the Diversity Award by the American Corporate Counsel Association (ACCA) Foundation. The Corporate Diversity Award recognizes successful companies for their continued commitment to diversity through ethnic, racial, and gender make-up, as well as the advancement of their legal department. The award is a symbol of respect and appreciation for the legal profession and the community at large.
1999
January 13, 1999
As a result of player requests and new federal legislation, the GLC, along with five other participating states, change the multi-state, multi-million dollar jackpot game. Players have the opportunity to select one of two payment options. The Big Game players can decide to receive their prize as a lump sum payment immediately or in 26 annual payments. The cash option is the anticipated cash value of the estimated annuitized jackpot based on sales and current interest rates. A recently passed Federal Regulation allows players to select a one-time cash payment up to 60 days after the draw date.
Additionally, players now select five numbers from a field of 50 white balls, and a sixth number from a field of 36 gold balls. Previously, players picked five numbers from a field of 50 white balls, and a sixth number from a field of 25 gold balls.
January 13, 1999
Rebecca Paul, President and CEO of the Georgia Lottery Corporation, has been appointed to the Public Sector Gaming Study Commission formed by the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS). This group is comprised of state and local government leaders and is charged with studying the impact of gaming nationwide.
January 15, 1999
The Georgia Lottery makes its second quarter FY 1999 transfer to the Lottery for Education Account bringing the total contributions to education since the inception of the lottery to more than $2.85 Billion.
February 2, 1999
Jim Sheets, 42, makes Georgia Lottery Corporation history by becoming the largest single winner for The Big Game. Mr. Sheets purchased a ticket for the $60 million dollar jackpot, pre-selected the cash option, and won the single largest jackpot prize awarded by the GLC - a lump sum payment of over $33 million. Additionally, two players from Harlem and Trenton won $150,000 in The Big Game by matching 5 white balls.
February 2, 1999
Rebecca Paul, President of the GLC is appointed to the Steering Committee for The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. The Georgia Partnership works on both state and local levels to influence positive public education improvement.
March 22, 1999
The Georgia Lottery Corporation has embarked upon a new milestone this week reaching the $9 Billion mark in total lottery sales since inception - thanks to players, retailers and employees. With the success of lottery games, the Georgia Lottery is moving closer to the end of another record-breaking year.
March 1999
March Madness strikes again! The Georgia Lottery established a new monthly sales record in March posting more than $181.4 million in monthly sales surpassing the previous March 1998 record of more than $178 million.
April 2, 1999
The Georgia Lottery achieves almost $72 million in total weekly ticket sales - its highest ever - beating the $52 million record previously established when the lottery started in June of 1993. The following week, the Georgia Lottery achieved its second highest weekly sales - $56 million.
April 6, 1999
The Big Game jackpot reaches $197 million (estimated at $190 million) - the largest jackpot in GLC history.
April 15, 1999
The Georgia Lottery makes its third quarter FY 1999 transfer to the Lottery for Education Account bringing the total contributions to education since the inception of the lottery to more than $3 Billion.
May 3, 1999
The Georgia Lottery surpasses sales from its last fiscal year ($1.736 Billion) making the Georgia Lottery the only lottery to ever increase sales each year for the first six years.
May 26, 1999
New Jersey becomes the seventh state to join The Big Game. Original Big Game participating states are Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and Virginia.
June 25, 1999
Today the GLC surpasses the $2 Billion mark for total sales for the fiscal year. With five days left in FY 99, this is the GLC's greatest sales year by far.
July 15, 1999
The Georgia Lottery makes its fourth quarter transfer to the Lottery for Education fund - making FY99 educational funds the largest in GLC history - over $646 million.
July 17, 1999
CA$H 3 Evening number drawn is 888, resulting in the third largest payout in the game's history - $17,244,000.
August 4, 1999
The highest single payout in Georgia Lottery history was awarded to Thomas (Randy) Kerfoot in the $116 million (estimated at $110 million) Big Game jackpot drawing on August 3, 1999. Mr. Kerfoot bought the winning ticket in Rossville, GA and pre-selected cash option - leaving GLC headquarters with a lump sum payment of over $59 million before taxes.
August 30, 1999
GLC surpasses $10 billion in total sales since inception.
October 15, 1999
The Georgia Lottery makes its first quarter FY 2000 transfer to the Lottery for Education Account - bringing the total amount raised for the students of Georgia to $3.34 billion.
October 16, 1999
Fantasy 5 adds Saturday drawings - players can now play Fantasy 5 seven nights a week.
October 16, 17, 1999
The number 6459 is drawn on consecutive nights in the CASH 4 game. This is the first time this has happened in the game's history.
November 8, 1999
The number 888 is drawn in the CASH 3 game, resulting in the highest prize payout in the game's history - over $21.5 million.
November 9, 1999
The Georgia Lottery introduces its first $10 Instant Game for the holiday season, "Happy Holidays." The ticket has a top prize of $500,000.
December 17, 1999
Not even halfway into fiscal year 2000, the GLC passes the $1 billion mark in sales - one month earlier than FY99.
2000
January 2, 2000
The CASH 3 game starts the new year with a record breaking prize payout of $27.4 million when 777 is drawn - the highest in the game's history.
January 15, 2000
The GLC's second quarter transfer for FY 2000 brings the total amount transferred to the Lottery for Education Account to $3.47 billion for education programs in Georgia.
February 19, 2000
The GLC had the second highest sales week in Instant Game history (week ending February 19, 2000) posting Instant Game sales over $21 million; second only to opening week Instant Game sales in 1993.
April 15, 2000
The GLC makes its third quarter FY 2000 transfer to the Lottery for Education fund - bringing the total amount raised for the students of Georgia to $3.65 billion.
May 6, 2000
The GLC had its biggest overall sales week since inception with sales surpassing $76 million!
May 9, 2000
The Big Game jackpot hit $363 million (estimated at $360 million) - the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history!
May 23, 2000
Governor Roy Barnes announced three new appointments to the board of directors of the Georgia Lottery Corporation. The three new members are Sylvan M. Byck, Jr., J. Timothy Shelnut and Matthew Ware. They will be sworn in to the GLC's board of directors on July 19, 2000. They replace Wyckliffe Knox, Arnold Tenenbaum and Cecil Phillips whose terms had expired.
June 30, 2000
The GLC closes FY 2000 with its seventh consecutive year of record- breaking sales (unprecedented in the industry) - totaling more than $2.3 billion for the fiscal year.
July 14, 2000
The GLC makes its largest transfer to the Lottery for Education Account yet, bringing FY00 lottery funds for the students of Georgia to more than $683 million. Since inception, the GLC has raised more than $3.87 billion for specific education programs.
July 19, 2000
Veronica Biggins is elected Chairwoman of the GLC board of directors.
October 16, 2000
The Georgia Lottery Corporation made its first quarter FY2001 transfer to the Lottery for Education Account - bringing the total amount raised for education programs in Georgia to $4 billion! At the same time, the Governor recognized the 500,000th HOPE Scholarship recipient in Georgia.
October 23, 2000
A new state-of-the-art draw set, including new equipment and lottery balls, is debuted to players - the first change to the draw set in over seven years of operation! New gravity-driven ball machines using rubber balls are introduced on October 23, 2000 for CASH 3 and Fantasy 5 drawings, new Lotto Georgia ball machines will be introduced Saturday, October 28, 2000, and new CASH 4 ball machines will be introduced on November 16, 2000.
October 25, 2000
The GLC board of directors approved enhancements to the Fantasy 5 game. Effective October 29, 2000, the Fantasy 5 game matrix increases from 5/35 to 5/39. Additionally, the multi-draw amount increases from 12 to 14 draws.
November 6, 2000
Emory Jackson of Commerce won $891,959, the largest payout to a single winner in Fantasy 5 history. The record-breaking top prize began rolling on October 31st and continued to roll for six drawings.
2001
January 15, 2001
The GLC's second quarter transfer for FY 2001 brings the total amount transferred to the Lottery for Education Account to almost $4.2 billion for education programs in Georgia.
February 5, 2001
The GLC introduces a new midday drawing for CASH 4. The drawing will be held every Monday through Saturday at 12:29 p.m.
February 10, 2001
Instant game sales for the week ending February 10, 2001 reached the second highest in the history of our games - over $24 million. The highest week of instant game sales was achieved the opening week of sales in 1993.
February 20, 2001
Governor Roy Barnes announces the appointment of Roscoe Brown of Augusta to the board of directors of the Georgia Lottery Corporation. Mr. Brown fills the vacant position left by the resignation of J. Timothy Shelnut.
April 15, 2001
The GLC makes its third quarter FY 2001 transfer to the Lottery for Education fund - bringing the total amount raised for the students of Georgia to more than $4.3 billion.
July 5, 2001
The Fantasy 5 top prize reaches $1,247,708 after rolling seven draws, the highest top prize in the game's history. The July 5, 2001 top prize was split by two winners.
July 15, 2001
The Georgia Lottery sets a record for the highest fiscal year proceeds transferred in its history - over $691 million to the students of Georgia in fiscal year 2001. Since inception, the GLC has raised more than $4.5 billion for specific lottery-funded educational programs. FY2001 sales totaled more than $2.19 billion.
September 8, 2001
Final drawing held for Lotto Georgia, as the GLC retires this game in order to join a new lotto-style game, Lotto South.
September 9, 2001
Tickets for Lotto South, the Georgia Lottery's newest on-line multi-state game, go on sale at lottery retailers in Georgia, Kentucky and Virginia. Lotto South drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday evening. Six numbers from a set of numbers 1-49 will be drawn.
September 12, 2001
The first Lotto South drawing is held in Richmond, Virginia. Lotto South's advertised annuitized jackpot starts at $2 million.
October 7, 2001
Bobby Bond of Colbert wins $994,708 in Fantasy 5, becoming the largest single top prize winner in the game's history.
October 13, 2001
After rolling for less than 5 weeks, the first Lotto South jackpot prize of $11 million is won by Violet Butler of Cochran, Georgia.
October 15, 2001
The GLC transfers its first quarter fiscal year 2002 proceeds, in the amount of $167,915,000, to the Lottery for Education Account - the largest first quarter transfer in the history of the GLC. This brings the total amount raised for lottery-funded educational programs in Georgia to more than $4.7 billion since inception.
December 5, 2001
Georgia Lottery sales for fiscal year 2002 crossed the $1 billion mark. This is the earliest that the Georgia Lottery has ever reached this milestone. Previous record was set on December 17, 1999.
December 19, 2001
The New York Lottery holds a press conference at Radio City Music Hall with the directors of all the Big Game states to announce its plans to join the Big Game states for a newer, larger multi-state lottery game.
December 22, 2001
The week ending December 22, 2001 marked the second largest instant game sales week in GLC history ($25,108,931), exceeded only by opening sales week in 1993.
December 31, 2001
Leftover Lotto Georgia jackpot prize money from the final drawing on September 8, 2001 is added to the Fantasy 5 top prize for New Year's Eve. The bonus money of more than $389,000 is added to the Fantasy 5 top prize that had already rolled six times. The top prize of $1,215,134 was split by two winners, one in Adairsville and one in Conyers.
2002
January 14, 2002
Hefner Enterprise of Dalton claims the largest Lotto South jackpot prize to date - $26 million from the January 5, 2002 drawing.
January 15, 2002
The Georgia Lottery makes its second quarter fiscal year 2002 transfer to the Lottery for Education Account, in the amount of $180,626,000. This is the largest second quarter transfer amount since inception, bringing the total amount raised for lottery-funded educational programs in Georgia to almost $5 billion.
April 15, 2002
The Georgia Lottery makes its third quarter fiscal year 2002 transfer to the Lottery for Education Account, bringing the total amount raised for lottery-funded educational programs in Georgia to more than $5 BILLION!
April 16, 2002
Drawing for Big Game jackpot estimated at $325 million - the second largest Big Game jackpot in the history of the game.
April 17, 2002
Erika Greene of Lawrenceville claims her portion of the $331 million Big Game jackpot (estimated at $325 million) at GLC headquarters. There were three Big Game jackpot winners from the April 16, 2002 drawing - one in Georgia, one in Illinois and one in New Jersey. Greene pre-selected the cash option amount and received $58,938,743 before taxes.
April 23, 2002
James E. Hollis, Jr. wins $1,056,754 in Fantasy 5, becoming the largest single top prize winner in the game's history.
May 14, 2002
Final drawing held for the Big Game, as the GLC retires this game in order to start a new multi-state game, Mega Millions. There was no jackpot winner, so the $19 million Big Game jackpot rolled over to the first Mega Millions jackpot.
May 15, 2002
Tickets for Mega Millions, the Georgia Lottery's biggest game ever, go on sale at lottery retailers in Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Virginia. Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday evening. Five numbers from a set of numbers 1-52 and one Mega Ball number from a set of numbers 1-52 will be drawn. Mega Millions jackpots start at $10 million.
May 17, 2002
The first Mega Millions drawing is held at WSB-TV Studios in Atlanta.
May 13, 2002
Governor Roy Barnes announces the appointment of Dorothy Yates Kirkley of Atlanta and Cecil M. Phillips of Atlanta to the board of directors of the Georgia Lottery Corporation. Ms. Kirkley fills the vacant position left by Roy Richards, Jr. and Mr. Phillips fills the expired seat of Robert Ensley. J. Veronica Biggins was reappointed to a second term.
June 11, 2002
Georgia Lottery sales for FY02 surpass the previous sales record with almost three weeks remaining in the fiscal year. Current sales of $2.318 billion for FY02 broke the previous highest fiscal year sales total of $2.313 billion.
July 15, 2002
Record-breaking sales and returns to education in FY02 make it the most successful year yet for the GLC. With sales totaling more than $2.449 billion, the GLC transfers over $726 million to the Lottery for Education Account for fiscal year 2002 - the highest amount in history.
July 25, 2002
Rebecca Paul introduces the Georgia Lottery's newest on-line game, the Change Game! The GLC becomes the first lottery in the world to launch a product structured like the Change Game. The Change Game allows players to use change from purchases in exchange for a chance to win thousands of dollars. Following the Atlanta press conference, Rebecca Paul along with the dancing Change Game Coins travel to Macon, Augusta and Savannah to promote the new game.
July 28, 2002
Change Game sales begin in Georgia. Players can play any amount of change between $0.25 and $0.99 to receive a unique quik pik combination with six alpha/numeric characters. Three winning combinations will be chosen daily from all the combinations played for that draw. Winnings will vary based on the amount played for the daily draw and the cost of the winning tickets for that draw.
July 29, 2002
The first Change Game drawing is held and results are televised following the CASH 3 evening drawing. The first three Change Game winning tickets were purchased in Alamo, College Park and Hawkinsville.
September 6, 2002
Washington State Lottery players join the mega-excitement of Mega Millions! Ticket sales in the tenth state to join the multi-state lottery game begin on September 4, 2002 for participation in Friday's drawing.
October 15, 2002
The Georgia Lottery transferred its first quarter FY03 profits to the State Treasury's Lottery for Education Account in the amount of $177,968,000. This is the largest first quarter transfer in the history of the GLC. The transfer amount surpassed the previous first quarter record of $167,915,000 for fiscal year 2002 by over $10 million.
October 18, 2002
Rebecca Paul, President & CEO of the GLC, was privileged to be the first recipient of the distinguished Friend of the University Award from the University of Georgia Alumni Association in recognition of her dedicated and outstanding services to the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Georgia. She is the first non-alumni to receive an award from the Alumni Association.
November 15, 2002
The GLC Board of Directors announces that GTECH was awarded a contract to provide online gaming systems and services and Scientific Games was awarded a contract to provide instant ticket printing and associated services for the GLC beginning in September 2003. Both online and instant contracts were awarded for a seven-year term with no extension, set to expire in September 2010.
2003
January 15, 2003
The Georgia Lottery makes its second quarter FY03 transfer to the Lottery for Education Account, bringing the total amount raised for lottery-funded educational programs in Georgia to more than $5.6 billion.
January 20, 2003
After rolling for nine consecutive drawings, there was one Fantasy 5 winning ticket sold for the January 20, 2003 drawing. The top prize amount of $1,154,057 was the largest payout to a single winner ever in the history of Fantasy 5.
February 19, 2003
Rebecca Paul celebrates 10 years of service as President and CEO of the GLC. The Georgia General Assembly commends her service by passing Senate Resolution 164 and House Resolution 239 recognizing her outstanding contributions to the state of Georgia.
April 15, 2003
The GLC makes its largest third quarter transfer amount in history - $183 million! These proceeds bring the total amount raised for educational programs in Georgia to more than $5.8 billion since inception.
April 25, 2003
May 2003
Governor Perdue appoints James S. "Jim" Ivey and Barbara M. Dooley, both of Athens, Georgia, to the GLC's Board of Directors.
July 15, 2003
GLC President Rebecca Paul presents Governor Perdue with a check for $6 Billion at a press conference at Gwinnett Technical College. In recognition of the GLC's tenth anniversary and more than $6 Billion to education, Governor Perdue proclaims July 15, 2003 as "The Georgia Lottery's Six Billionth Dollar Day in Georgia."
The GLC completes FY03 as its most successful year ever with over $2.6 billion in sales and more than $751 million in proceeds to the Lottery for Education Account.
July 21, 2003
Rebecca Paul attends the first of five meetings of the HOPE Scholarship Study Commission. Ms. Paul reports to the Committee that the GLC has experienced 10 years of unprecedented growth and transfers to the Lottery for Education Account.
July 31, 2003
Walter "Burt" Sheffield wins $1,183,702 in Fantasy 5, becoming the largest single top prize winner in the game's history.
August 5, 2003
The Texas Lottery Commission votes to join Mega Millions, the 10-state multi-jurisdiction lottery game, in which the GLC participates. Mega Millions tickets sales in Texas will begin on December 3, 2003 for participation in the December 5, 2003 drawing.
August 6, 2003
Governor Perdue appoints David C. Garrett, III and Rayna Casey, both of Atlanta, Georgia, to the GLC's Board of Directors. The Board meets later this day and votes Barbara M. Dooley as the Board's new Chair.
August 26, 2003
The Georgia Lottery launches the Harley-Davidson® instant game with prizes of 100th Anniversary Harley-Davidson®" Sportster® 1200 Custom motorcycles, and cash prizes up to $25,000. Additionally, this is the GLC's first game with an opportunity for players to enter a second chance drawing by submitting a non-winning ticket. Second Chance Drawing Finalists receive a prize package containing an official Harley-Davidson® travel bag, leather cap, blanket, wristwatch, sunglasses, t-shirt and playing cards. All Second Chance Drawing Finalists will be entered in a Grand Prize Drawing for $25,000 in cash!
September 8, 2003
The GLC's Board of Directors names Cathy Walls as interim President of the GLC in response to Rebecca Paul's resignation. Ms. Walls has been with the Georgia Lottery since its inception in 1993 and serves as Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs.
September 30, 2003
Stephen Moore wins the $150 million Mega Millions jackpot prize to become the largest winner in Georgia Lottery history. He purchased the Quik Pik ticket for the September 30, 2003 drawing in Fitzgerald, GA. Mr. Moore chose the cash option and received approximately $88.9 million before taxes.
October 15, 2003
The GLC announces that it will make its largest first quarter transfer to the Lottery for Education Account in GLC history - $183 million.
December 18, 2003
The Board of Directors of the Georgia Lottery Corporation named veteran lottery executive Margaret DeFrancisco as President of the GLC. In addition, the Board named Cathy Walls, who served as interim President of the GLC during the transition, as Executive Vice President. Ms. DeFrancisco, who has served as the Director of the New York Lottery since 1999, becomes the second President/CEO in the GLC's 10-year history.
2004
January 15, 2004
The GLC closes the books on the first half of fiscal year 2004 by announcing the largest second quarter transfer to education in GLC history. Record breaking first and second quarter transfers to the Lottery for Education Account in fiscal year 2004 will total more than $376 million - $24 million more than last year's benchmark - making the first six months of fiscal year 2004 the most successful start in its 11-year history.
