A Scratch-Off Version of Vermont's Lottery History

Author: Kelsey Rinehart

Since 1778, when Vermont's first legislature convened, lawmakers have been inundated with requests to have lotteries, since unauthorized gambling games were against the law. Legal games were initially viewed as charitable endeavors, opportunities for citizens to assist their communities. Early lotteries often benefited road-building and other public works projects. They also helped unfortunate souls such as Stephen Conant, who, in 1800 after losing his house and business in a fire, begged the legislature for permission to run a lottery to raise money for himself.
Conant, however, did not receive much help from the legislature. After changing his estimated loss from $4,000 to $5,000, lawmakers became suspicious, and granted him $4,000. After three years, Conant's sweepstake only raised $600.
Compared to fellow New England states, who started their lotteries in the early 1770s, Vermont got a late start. The state's first lottery was approved by the 1779 legislature, and raised a hefty sum of $30,000 to assist Vermont and neighboring states in building a militia to defend them from British antagonists. Though the first lottery was not viewed as a major success, the legislature was not deterred. In the five years following the initial lottery, the legislature approved 42 lotteries, out-gaming all but four states.
In the 1820s it became evident that lotteries were no longer solely charitable endeavors. As religious revivalism flourished, many began to cite the immorality of lotteries. Governor Ezra Butler said in an 1826 speech that lotteries could only harm "the principles of morality in Vermont."
In 1894, the legislature voted to ban lotteries, and did not restore them until 1978, when lawmakers, noting strong public support, reintroduced state lottery to aid public schools.