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National Lottery Day

Take a chance and celebrate National Lottery Day - play your favorite lottery game for a chance to win big!

Friday

July 2026

Last updated February 8, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEJuly 17

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFun

SUBCATEGORYUnique

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate National Lottery Day on July 17 with a chance to win some amazing prizes! This day has been around since the late 1980s, and it's a great opportunity for lottery players across the globe to have fun and potentially win big. The history of lotteries dates back centuries and was originally used as an alternative form of taxation in Europe, but now it is just seen as an exciting way for people try their luck at winning something special.

TIMELINE

National Lottery Day Timeline

First Public Lottery

The first public lottery was held in Low Countries (current Netherlands and Belgium), used for raising money for the town’s fortifications and poor people.

America's First Lottery

King James I of England created a lottery to help fund the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia.

Modern Lottery Legislation

The National Lottery Act was passed in the UK, leading to more controlled and regulated lotteries.

Multi-State Lottery

The first multi-state lottery in the USA, Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), was formed offering games like Powerball.

National Lottery Day Establishment

July 17 was officially declared as the National Lottery Day, creating a celebration for players around the globe.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Lottery Day

Play the lottery

Head down to your local convenience store and pick up a lottery ticket. You never know, you might be celebrating with a big win!

ORGANIZE

Organize a lottery pool

Gather your friends and family together and start a lottery pool. Put in $5 each and pick some numbers together. The excitement of pooling your money can add to the fun.

HOST

Host a lottery party

Organize a lottery party at your house and invite all of your friends over to watch the drawing live on TV. Serve snacks, drinks, and have everyone fill out their own individual tickets.

MAKE

Make your own lottery game

Create your own game for National Lottery Day by putting together a scratch off card with prizes or making up your own game of chance with dice or cards.

DONATE

Donate to charity

If you don't feel like playing the lottery, why not give back? Consider donating to an organization that helps those in need or supports causes close to you.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Lottery Day

It can create millionaires overnight

If your numbers come up, you could instantly become a millionaire! Just imagine - all of your financial worries could be gone overnight, giving you the freedom and flexibility to do whatever your heart desires. Who knows what kind of possibilities await you?

It offers hope and excitement

The national lottery provides people with the opportunity to change their lives in just one lucky draw. Each ticket purchased gives you the chance to be the next big winner and fulfill your dreams! The anticipation leading up to the draw is electric, and it's exciting to see who will have their life changed by Lady Luck!

It supports good causes

When you purchase a lottery ticket, not only are you giving yourself a chance at winning, but you're also helping important causes. A portion of the proceeds from every draw are donated to vital charities and initiatives that help make the world a better place.