The Rhode Island Lottery was established in 1973 through a Constitutional Convention. Tickets for the first game, The Lot, went on sale May 21, 1974. The first drawing was held at the State House on May 30. Since then, over $1.8 billion has been generated for Rhode Island and shared by all 39 cities and towns throughout the state, and over $5.8 billion has been awarded in prize payouts.