Nebraska Lottery Generates Record Amount for Beneficiaries

June 28, 2013 – Strong ticket sales and a record Powerball jackpot run 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 $11,106,535, derived from a share of Scratch and Lotto ticket sales from the previous three months, was distributed the week of June 28 among the beneficiaries in the following manner:

Education Innovation Fund, $2,193,541;
Nebraska Opportunity Grant Fund, $2,748,867;
Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, $4,942,408;
Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund, $1,110,654; and
Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, $111,065.

Nebraska Lottery Director Jim Haynes attributes the historic transfer amount to strong sales of Lottery products. “The last quarter of our fiscal year saw continued growth in Scratch ticket sales and a historic $590.5 million jackpot run for the Powerball game,” said Haynes. “These factors resulted in an unprecedented transfer amount.”

The latest transfer exceeded the previous record of $10,260,110 transferred in December 2012. The total amount transferred to the beneficiaries during fiscal year 2012-2013 was $40 million, a 9% increase over the previous fiscal year.

“Breaking the record for beneficiary transfers during our 20^th anniversary gives us another reason to celebrate,” said Haynes. “We’re extremely pleased to be able to continue to support good causes across Nebraska using lottery proceeds.”

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, our state reaps the rewards,” said Haynes.

A total of $489,500,017 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, $151,235,819;
Nebraska Opportunity Grant Fund, $72,122,951;
Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, $204,897,773;
Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund, $26,502,478; and
Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, $11,280,000.

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.