News writer, Interviewer
When George "Bud" Dacey sat down with his counterparts from Maine and New Hampshire in 1985, they faced a common problem. Their individual state lotteries couldn't generate the kind of jackpots that would excite players. The solution was collaboration, and the result was the country's first multi-state jackpot game.
Nearly 40 years later, the Tri-State Lotto Commission continues to serve players across northern New England. But as the partnership celebrates this milestone, Vermont Lottery Director Tammy Pidgeon is looking ahead to significant changes that could reshape how Vermonters play the lottery.
In an exclusive interview, Pidgeon discusses plans that could bring Vermont's lottery into the digital age while preserving what makes the game special.
The power of partnership
The Tri-State Lotto Compact was born from necessity. Each small state needed to pool resources to offer competitive jackpots. What Dacey and his fellow directors created became a model for national games, launching before both Powerball and Mega Millions.
Since that first drawing in 1985, players across the three states have won more than $876 million in combined jackpot prizes. Vermont players alone have claimed $155 million in jackpots.
Today, Tri-State Megabucks faces competition from games with far larger jackpots. Three small states can't match the buying power of the dozens that participate in Powerball and Mega Millions. Yet the regional game maintains a loyal following. Vermont players continue to support it, drawn by the appeal of keeping jackpots local and the better odds it offers. Pidgeon says:
Despite this, Vermont has a contingent of loyal Megabucks players who play regularly in hopes that we will bring that jackpot home.
The commission isn't standing still. Pidgeon hints that significant announcements are coming as the partnership marks its 40th anniversary. She continues:
Vermont Lottery looks forward to unveiling new collaborations with our Tri-State partners in 2026 and beyond, with a particular focus on experiential prizes.
The lottery is also expanding its game portfolio. Millionaire for Life will soon join Vermont's lineup, offering annuity-style prizes and daily drawings that complement existing games.
The digital divide
Perhaps the most significant change involves how Vermonters will purchase lottery tickets. The New Hampshire Lottery launched NH iLottery, allowing players to purchase Tri-State Megabucks and other games online. Vermont and Maine have not followed suit.
That gap may soon close. The Vermont State Legislature has introduced legislation that would authorize the Vermont Lottery to sell products through digital platforms. Pidgeon's team is working with legislators to support what she calls "lottery modernization."
The barriers are legal rather than technical. Once lawmakers provide authorization, Vermont can move forward.
What won't change is Vermont's approach to lottery courier services. The state prohibits these third-party companies under state law. Pidgeon cites concerns about game integrity and consumer protection. She states:
Products are intended to be sold through licensed, authorized channels with proper controls to ensure age verification and compliance.
The future is both digital and physical
When asked about the next game-changer for the lottery industry, Pidgeon offers a perspective that runs counter to conventional wisdom about digital transformation. She explains:
Even as many industries move toward digital convenience, we're seeing a broader consumer trend toward analog, tactile experiences, whether that's print books, vinyl records, or hands-on games. Lottery is no different.
She points to the ritual that surrounds lottery play: choosing numbers at a retailer, holding the physical ticket, scratching off the coating, or checking results. These tactile experiences create trust, nostalgia, and a sense of occasion that purely digital interactions struggle to replicate.
This doesn't mean Vermont Lottery will resist digital platforms. Pidgeon sees digital tools as essential for operating efficiently, reaching new audiences, and strengthening responsible gaming safeguards. The key is integration rather than replacement. She says:
The future isn't about replacing physical play – it's about supporting it. The most effective lottery systems preserve the tactile experience players value while modernizing the technology, security, and engagement tools.
What comes next
Vermont Lottery stands at an inflection point. Legislative approval for digital sales could arrive in the coming months. New game launches will expand options for players. The Tri-State Lotto Commission is preparing fresh collaborations and experiential prize opportunities.
The challenge Pidgeon and her team face is maintaining what works while evolving to meet changing expectations. That means preserving the physical ticket experience that loyal players value while building digital platforms that can attract new audiences. It means celebrating 40 years of partnership while preparing for innovations that didn't exist when the compact was signed.
If Pidgeon's vision proves correct, Vermont's lottery will look different in the years ahead, but it will feel familiar. The scratch of a ticket, the anticipation of a drawing, the dream of bringing a big jackpot home to Vermont—these experiences will remain. They'll simply be supported by better technology, stronger safeguards, and more ways to play.
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