Over $230 Million Raised For Good Causes
June 20, 2005--The Nebraska Lottery has distributed among its beneficiary funds $6,341,163 derived from a share of Scratch and Lotto ticket sales for the previous three months (April-June).A total of $231,233,137 has been transferred since the Nebraska Lottery began operation on September 11, 1993. Proceeds have been distributed quarterly since then, according to direction established by the Legislature.Amendment 4 passed by Nebraska voters in November of 2004 established the following distribution formula: Education Innovation Fund (22.25 percent), Nebraska Scholarship Fund (22.25 percent), Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund (44.5 percent), Nebraska State Fair (10 percent), and the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund (1 percent, plus the first $500,000 in fund proceeds each fiscal year). This transfer is the second under the new distribution formula.The funds' respective totals to date are: Education Innovation Fund, $100,340,560; Nebraska Scholarship Fund, $9,869,447; Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, $91,749,013, Nebraska State Fair, $534,759; and Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, $4,737,333. 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. Every county in Nebraska has received service through grants funded with Nebraska Lottery proceeds.
Published on 03/25/2005