The Oklahoma State Lottery
The Oklahoma Lottery was established very recently in 2005 and although operated by the state’s government, it is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association like many others in the USA. Approval for the lottery was only gained in 2004 when voters overwhelmingly approved legislation to bring the lottery commission into being.
The Oklahoma Lottery Commission is responsible for running a series of games that contribute to the state’s overall lottery. They include: Mega Millions,
Powerball, Pick 3, Pick 4 and Cash 5. In 2007 a Powerball draw produced Oklahoma’s second winning jackpot of the games and the largest ever cash prize for the state of $105.8 million. It was won by Don Harvey, 64, and his wife, Joyce, 50, of Muldrow. In June 2006 a prize of $101 million was claimed by an Oklahoman for both Powerball and Hot Lotto. It turned out that this was the first case of the same jurisdiction providing at least one winner of both games on the very same day.
The Oklahoma Lottery also benefits education causes within the state, including equipment upgrades, grants and scholarships, benefits for public school teachers and childhood development programs.
