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.

AccessTimeIconJul 17, 2020 at 8:19 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 19, 2021 at 3:11 a.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

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.
  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • Disclosure

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

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    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.