Tri-State Lotto Commission Celebrates 40 Years of Tri-State Megabucks

Concord, N.H. (September 25, 2025) – The Tri-State Lotto Commission is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the country’s first multi-state jackpot game, Tri-State Megabucks. Since its launch in 1985, before the multi-state games of Powerball or Mega Millions, Tri-State Megabucks players have won more than $876 million combined in jackpot dollars: Maine players have won more than $407 million, New Hampshire players have won more than $312 million, and Vermont players have won $155 million. The Tri-State Lotto Commission consists of the Maine State Lottery, New Hampshire Lottery and the Vermont Lottery.

“With nearly 500 jackpot winners and more than $876 million in total prizes won over four decades, Tri-State Megabucks has been a resounding success,” said Erle Pierce, Chairman, Tri-State Lotto Commission and New Hampshire Lottery Commission. “The results speak for themselves as Tri-State Megabucks continues to drive strong, consistent sales and millions of dollars in critical revenue supporting public education in New Hampshire and Vermont and essential state services in Maine. We’re proud northern New England’s ‘local’ draw game paved the way for the major national draw games of today. And don’t forget as we celebrate this milestone, Tri-State Megabucks still offers the best odds of any game in the region at one in 5.9!”

Since the first Tri-State Megabucks drawing in 1985, players have won 482 jackpots, with 216 from Maine, 174 from New Hampshire and 98 from Vermont.

History of Winning

The Tri-State Lotto Commission was established in 1985 by lottery directors in the three northern New England states, George “Bud” Dacey of Vermont, George “Skip” Jones of New Hampshire and Richard “Spike” Carey of Maine. The three states’ lotteries came together to offer players a big jackpot game each state would not be able to sustain individually.

The legislation forming the Tri-State Lotto Commission, known as the Tri-State Lotto Compact, became law in April 1985 after each state passed the legislation individually. Then-New Hampshire Governor John Sununu purchased the first Tri-State Megabucks ticket on September 3, 1985, at Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire, paying homage to the first New Hampshire Lottery ticket sold to then-Governor John King at the same location in 1964.

Richard Campbell of South Portland, Maine, won the first Megabucks jackpot, claiming a $935,919 jackpot prize for the drawing on September 12, 1985.

Tri-State Megabucks has undergone several changes since its inception, including multiple changes to the prize matrix based on the popularity of the game. Today’s format features five numbers from one to 41 and one Megaball from one to six.

The most recent Tri-State Megabucks jackpot-winning ticket, estimated at $1.6 million, was sold through NH iLottery for the drawing on June 4, 2025. The most recent jackpot-winning ticket in Vermont, estimated at $3.95 million, was sold for the drawing on March 5, 2025. Most recently in Maine, a lucky player purchased a jackpot-winning Tri-State Megabucks ticket, estimated at $1.5 million, for the drawing on November 12, 2022.

Other Tri-State Lotto Commission games include Tri-State Gimme 5, Tri-State Pick3®/Pick4® Daily Numbers games, and Fast Play games.

About Tri-State Megabucks

Tri-State Megabucks tickets cost $2 per play and the starting jackpot is $1 million, with a second-tier prize of $30,000. To play, players select five numbers from one to 41, along with one Megaball from one to six.

Tri-State Megabucks drawings are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7:59 PM. The next Tri-State Megabucks drawing will be September 24 with a jackpot of $3.1 million.

Maine State Lottery players can purchase Tri-State Megabucks tickets at more than 1,300 retailers statewide. For more information, visit www.mainelottery.com.

Tri-State Megabucks tickets are on sale at more than 1,200 retailers statewide in New Hampshire and online at NH iLottery. For more information and to play in New Hampshire, visit www.nhlottery.com.

In Vermont, players can purchase Tri-State Megabucks tickets at nearly 600 retailers across the state. For more information, visit vtlottery.com.