June 29, 2012 – Strong ticket sales and increased efficiencies 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 $10,072,052, derived from a share of Scratch and Lotto ticket sales from the previous three months, was distributed the week of June 29 among the beneficiaries in the following manner:

Education Innovation Fund, $1,989,230;
Nebraska Opportunity Grant Fund, $2,492,833;
Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, $4,482,063;
Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund, $1,007,205; and
Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, $100,721.

This transfer exceeded the previous record of $10,028,135 transferred in March of 2012.

Nebraska Lottery Director Jim Haynes attributes the historic transfer amount to rising ticket sales and organizational changes. “The Lottery tries to forecast for our quarterly transfers fairly conservatively,” said Haynes. “In addition to ticket sales growth this fiscal year, we’ve realized some savings through the implementation of a new unified gaming system contract. The additional revenue helped us exceed our projection for the fourth quarter transfer. We’re extremely pleased to have two consecutive record transfers 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 $449,485,316 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, $143,431,665;
Nebraska Opportunity Grant Fund, $62,343,063;
Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, $187,313,731;
Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund, $22,551,007; and
Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, $10,384,854.

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.