Nebraska Lottery Generates Record Amount for Beneficiaries

January 3, 2013 – Strong ticket sales in the final months of 2012 resulted in the largest amount of proceeds transferred to the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery was established in 1993.

A total of $10,260,110 derived from a share of Scratch and Lotto ticket sales from the previous three months, was distributed the week of December 28, 2012, among the beneficiaries in the following manner:

Education Innovation Fund, $2,026,372;
Nebraska Opportunity Grant Fund, $2,539,377;
Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, $4,565,749;
Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund, $1,026,011; and
Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, $102,601.

This transfer exceeded the previous record of $10,071,052 transferred in June 2012.

Nebraska Lottery Director Jim Haynes attributed the transfer amount to a record $587.5 million Powerball jackpot in November 2012, and strong Scratch ticket sales throughout the quarter. “Powerball is designed to generate large jackpots, and ticket sales increase as the jackpot rises,” said Haynes. “Increased sales mean that more money is available for our beneficiary funds. We’re extremely pleased to have another record transfer because of the benefits for our state.”

Every county in Nebraska has received service through grants funded with Nebraska Lottery proceeds. Projects that use these proceeds range from critical habitat protection for wildlife and grants to Nebraska college students to enhancements to facilities at the Nebraska State Fair and assistance for problem gamblers. “We want each one of our players to know that when they purchase a Nebraska Lottery ticket, all of Nebraska reaps the rewards,” said Haynes.

A total of $468,793,934 has been distributed in quarterly transfers since the Nebraska Lottery began operation on September 11, 1993. The funds' respective totals to date are:

Education Innovation Fund, $147,146,367;
Nebraska Opportunity Grant Fund, $66,998,196;
Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, $195,683,566;
Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund, $24,431,869; and
Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, $11,072,940.

Prior to July 1, 1997, the Solid Waste Landfill Closure Assistance Fund received proceeds totaling $18,460,996. In 2004, the Legislature directed that a one-time transfer of $5 million be made to the State General Fund.

Criteria for proceeds distribution are established by the beneficiary funds in accordance with legislative mandates.

The Nebraska Lottery marked $1 billion in total sales (since 1993) in March of 2006.