Bitcoin
$63,614.32+0.96%
Ethereum
$3,094.26+0.28%
Binance Coin
$543.10-1.90%
Solana
$136.70-0.05%
XRP
$0.49817565+1.32%
Dogecoin
$0.15664944-0.69%
Toncoin
$6.14-7.09%
Cardano
$0.46040389+1.94%
Shiba Inu
$0.00002276+5.35%
Avalanche
$34.98+0.36%
Wrapped Bitcoin
$63,760.75+0.95%
Tron
$0.11177312+0.63%
PlayIconNav
Crypto Prices CoinDesk 20 Index CoinDesk 20 Index
Consensus 2024Price Increase Extension Ends In
03
DAYS
22
HR
25
MIN
44
SEC
Markets

Colorado Is Betting on ETHDenver and Web 3 for Its Next Lottery Games

Eyeing a billion-dollar revenue goal by 2023, the state-run lottery is getting creative with its game offerings.

By Danny Nelson
AccessTimeIconJul 17, 2020 at 8:19 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 14, 2021 at 9:32 a.m. UTC
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis at ETHDenver (CoinDesk archives)

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis at ETHDenver (CoinDesk archives)

10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

The Colorado Lottery is partnering with ETHDenver, Ethereum’s largest hackathon, to spur the slapdash development of a decentralized web-based game of chance. 

  • The pair are calling on developers to compete in their July 31 “GameJam” hackathon that aims to build Web 3.0 novelties for the state-run lottery. Winners could ultimately see their finished projects premiere in Colorado bars and restaurants. First place will net a $10,000 payout.
  • Developers will get a goal (build a chance-based game), a deadline (nine days), a suggestion (make it decentralized web-friendly) and not much else, said John Paller, who runs ETHDenver. “We've intentionally not put huge rails on this,” he said. “We didn't want to stifle creativity.”
  • Paller said that premiering winners’ games on decentralized infrastructure (an Ethereum-based game, say) is “on the table.” But he cautioned that “full Web 3.0 would be a Phase 2 thing” that depends on winners’ tech specs and ongoing discussions with the state.
  • Colorado is betting this jam will yield novel lottery products with broad gamer appeal, said Meghan Dougherty, communications director for the Colorado Lottery. “The lottery is really looking to grow into a billion-dollar organization by 2023, so we’re really trying to reimagine our game offerings,” she told CoinDesk. 
  • More lottery revenue equals more funding for state parks and schools - $13.7 million went to Colorado Parks and Wildlife last fiscal year. 
  • The pair are shooting for 200 registrants and at least 15 final submissions to yield three winners that could turn into lottery games, according to Paller.

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.