New Hampshire became the first USA state to sell lottery tickets since the early 20th century, on March 12, 1964.

It began in 1963 when the New Hampshire legislature passed a law to start a state Sweepstakes after Representative Larry Pickett of Keene, who had championed the idea for ten years, made his case.

On March 10, 1964, New Hampshire held a special vote where most communities agreed to allow the sale of Sweepstakes tickets. Only a handful, 12 towns, and one city ward, didn't want them.

Two days later, on March 12, the Sweepstakes began. But instead of a typical lottery drawing, the results came from horse race outcomes at Rockingham Park in Salem, New Hampshire.

This was a clever way to keep it legal, as lotteries were not allowed under federal law. Tickets were mainly available at state-run liquor stores.

Via Wikipedia