Arizona Lottery Continues 45th Anniversary Celebration, Marking Record-Breaking Sales and Billions in Community Impact

PHOENIX (July 23, 2026) – The Arizona Lottery is marking its 45th anniversary throughout this year, a milestone representing more than four decades of entertainment, life-changing prizes, and vital funding for the Grand Canyon State. Since the Arizona Lottery sold its very first ticket, “Scratch It Rich,” on July 1, 1981, the organization’s core mission has remained exactly the same: to support Arizona programs for the public benefit by maximizing net revenue in a responsible manner. Every major milestone achieved over the past four and a half decades is a direct result of creativity, innovation, and a structural dedication to the state of Arizona, driven by the loyalty of its players.

This major milestone coincides with a truly historic achievement: a new all-time sales record, with preliminary, unaudited FY26 total sales reaching over $1.52 billion—surpassing the previous FY24 record by more than $570,000. This historic financial milestone underscores the increasing momentum of the Arizona Lottery as it continues its 45th year of operations.

"Giving back billions of dollars to Arizona is a milestone we share with every single person who has played our games. As we look forward to the future, we are committed to modernizing the player experience, expanding our retail partnerships, and continuing to responsibly generate vital revenue that makes our state stronger and more resilient."

"Reaching 45 years is an incredible opportunity to look back at how much we have accomplished together," said Alec Thomson, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. "Since 1981, our growth into a multi-billion dollar state enterprise has been fueled by innovation and the incredible support of our players. Giving back billions of dollars to Arizona is a milestone we share with every single person who has played our games. As we look forward to the future, we are committed to modernizing the player experience, expanding our retail partnerships, and continuing to responsibly generate vital revenue that makes our state stronger and more resilient."

In honor of the 45th anniversary, the Arizona Lottery is leaning heavily into its history of play with a summer lineup designed specifically to thank its players. The celebration kicked off with a $4.5 million jackpot boost to its flagship draw game, The Pick™, alongside the highly anticipated Country Cash with Dierks Bentley Players Club promotion. Through Country Cash, players can enter eligible tickets for a chance to win an exclusive VIP experience featuring a private dinner and concert with country music superstar and Arizona native Dierks Bentley at Whiskey Row, plus a shot at a live game show featuring $45,000 in prizes. 

The anniversary festivities continue on Thursday, August 6, with a flagship player celebration at Bull Shooters in Phoenix, featuring $4,500 in cash prizes and a commemorative community banner, alongside regional player giveaways in Tucson and Kingman on August 4.

As part of these 45th-anniversary festivities, we are inviting our players to let us know which classic, fan-favorite Scratchers® tickets they’ve missed the most and would love to see back on store shelves. By participating in our "Bring It Back" poll through the Players Club, they can cast a vote for a legacy game return and receive 25 loyalty points as a thank you for sharing their feedback.

Beyond the games and promotions, the true legacy of the Arizona Lottery is the profound impact it has made on local communities. Over its 45-year history, the Lottery and its vast retail network have generated more than $5.9 billion in net funding to improve the quality of life for all Arizonans. These proceeds return hundreds of millions of dollars annually to critical state pillars, funding higher education, health and human services, environmental conservation, and business and economic development.

As the Arizona Lottery steps into its next era, it remains focused on modernizing its game ecosystem and prioritizing player well-being. With recent draw game upgrades designed to offer players more flexibility, alongside an ongoing commitment to the highest standards of responsible gaming framework compliance, the organization is well-positioned for long-term success. The Arizona Lottery extends its deepest gratitude to its players for 45 years of wonderful memories, and looks forward to all the celebrations yet to come.