Staff Reports
For the second consecutive year, the Florida Lottery is reporting record sales, posting $467 million in revenue for August. This all-time high was an increase of 5.29 percent over last year’s August record.
Lottery officials say the games generated an estimated $120 million in contributions to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF), driven “primarily by a series of rollovers and high jackpots for both POWERBALL and MEGA MILLIONS.” Lottery contributions make up approximately 6 percent of the state’s education budget.
On Aug. 22, the Lottery transferred $150 million from its July operations to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund — the third largest transfer in a single month since fiscal year 1991-92.
The payout also was 30 percent higher than the Lottery’s transfer for the same period last year.
“The Lottery’s sole mission is to sell tickets to generate additional funding for education. We are extremely proud that this unprecedented sales record will assist in furthering that goal,” said Lottery Secretary Tom Delacenserie. “For the past 28 years, Lottery dollars have benefited Florida’s students and schools, and we are confident that this year will prove to be the largest contribution yet.”
Lottery funds are appropriated by the Legislature and administered by the state Department of Education.
Since its inception in 1988, the Florida Lottery — through more than 13,000 retailers — has contributed more than $30 billion to education, with the Bright Futures Scholarship Program helping 725,000 students with college costs. Lottery games have paid more than $52.4 billion in prizes, creating more than 1,900 new millionaires.
