Nebraska Lottery Generates Record Amount for Beneficiaries
Strong ticket sales and a billion-dollar Mega Millions jackpot run resulted in the second-largest amount of proceeds transferred to the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since 1993.
A total of $13,866,351, derived from a share of Scratch and Lotto ticket sales from the previous three months, was distributed the week of December 27, 2018, among the beneficiaries in the following manner:
Nebraska Education Improvement Fund, $6,170,526;
Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, $6,170,526;
Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund, $1,386,635; and
Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, $138,664.
The latest quarterly transfer falls slightly below the largest transfer of $14,484,483 made in March 2016. A total of $717,897,005 in proceeds has been distributed since the Nebraska Lottery began operation on September 11, 1993.
Nebraska Lottery Director Brian Rockey attributes the historic transfer amount to strong sales of Mega Millions and Powerball tickets during the quarter. “The Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots reached new heights in October, with a record $1.537 billion Mega Millions drawing on October 23,” said Rockey. “Ticket sales for these games, in addition to continued growth in Scratch ticket sales, resulted in a large quarterly transfer to our beneficiary funds. Providing more proceeds for great programs across the state was a great way to end our 25th anniversary year.”
The increased transfer amount will have a direct impact in Nebraska. Projects funded with lottery 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.
Criteria for the use of proceeds are established by the beneficiary funds in accordance with legislative mandates.
Published on 01/02/2019