The Lottery anticipates more than $1.7 billion in contributions to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF), shattering all previous fiscal year transfer records
TALLAHASSEE, FL (WWSB) - Thanks in part to strong Powerball and MegaMillion jackpots, the Florida Lottery says it is saw record growth in the 2017-2018 fiscal year that ended on June 30th. Lottery sales grew 8% to a record $6.7 billion dollars. Scratch-off tickets accounted for 69% of the sales last year, up $400 million over the previous year.
Deputy Secretary of Sales Mike Purcell says the big jackpots are just part of the growth equation. “When the jackpots are really high, that brings everybody in but we don’t rely on that. We make sure that we have a good variety of base games that people can play year around, despite what the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpots are," said Purcell.
The Florida Lottery says about 60% of lottery revenue is paid out to winners, with most of the rest going into the state's Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.
http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/florida-lottery-reports-record-growth/article_1ad115a2-8524-11e8-9137-8b1f43440681.html
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: FLORIDA LOTTERY COMMUNICATIONS
(850) 487-7727
FLORIDA LOTTERY CELEBRATES END OF FISCAL YEAR
WITH RECORD SALES AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Lottery announces another record-breaking sales year with more than $6.7 billion in annual sales for fiscal year 2017-18. As a result, the Lottery anticipates more than $1.7 billion in contributions to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF), shattering all previous fiscal year transfer records.
"Education is our number one priority, and we are proud of this milestone moment," said Secretary Jim Poppell. "We are thankful to Governor Scott for his leadership, our retail partners, loyal players and dedicated employees who are committed to making a difference in the lives of Florida's students and their families."
Over the past 30 years, the Florida Lottery has firmly established itself as a dependable funding source to enhance public education, contributing more than $33 billion in total. The Lottery has transferred more than $1 billion annually for each of the past 16 consecutive fiscal years. Lottery transfers to education represent approximately six percent of the state's total education budget, and are appropriated by the Florida Legislature and administered by the Florida Department of Education.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY
The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $33 billion to education and sending more than 775,000 students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 98 percent of its revenue back into Florida's economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,000 Florida retailers and contributions to education. Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have paid more than $56.3 billion in prizes and made more than 2,000 people millionaires. For more information, please visit www.flalottery.com.
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