Ohio Lottery Commission

The Ohio Lottery Commission, also known as the Ohio Lottery, is the state agency responsible for operating the lottery in Ohio. It offers a range of products that include instant scratch‑off tickets and draw‑based games such as Powerball, Mega Millions, Classic Lotto, Rolling Cash 5 and Keno. Revenue generated from ticket sales is directed to the Ohio Lottery Profits Education Fund, which supports public education initiatives across the state. Tickets are sold through a network of licensed retailers and, for certain games, through digital channels managed by the commission.

In December 2023 the Ohio Lottery experienced a cybersecurity incident that affected some of its computer systems. As a precaution, key systems were disconnected to contain the threat while the core gaming system remained operational, allowing ticket purchases and prize claims under $600 to continue at retail locations. Services that were disrupted included the ability to cash prizes above $599 via mobile apps or Super Retailer locations, requiring winners to submit mail‑in claims instead. The commission engaged external cybersecurity experts, notified law enforcement, and launched an ongoing investigation to determine the scope of the incident and whether any employee or customer data was compromised.

No misuse of data has been identified to date, although updates for select game results and jackpots were temporarily unavailable while systems were restored. The incident highlighted the commission’s reliance on external expertise and its coordination with authorities when responding to cyber threats. As a state‑run entity, the Ohio Lottery Commission operates under the authority of the Ohio government and is tasked with ensuring the integrity and security of its gaming operations. Its regulatory role as the sole authorized operator of lottery games in Ohio distinguishes it from private gaming providers.