In New York State alone, 2020 lottery ticket sales totaled nearly $10 billion. So, where does lottery money go if it doesn’t all go into the prizes? You can feel good knowing that lottery revenues by state fund worthy causes in 47 states nationwide.
While 50-60% of lottery funds end up in winners’ pockets in the form of lottery prizes, the leftover revenue is used in different ways. A portion of the proceeds go to state-funded programs such as public education, veterans services, the environment and other important causes, including the state’s general fund (a minimum of 30%). That includes tickets ordered via the Jackpocket lottery app! Check the bottom of the Home screen any time to learn how programs in your state are impacted.
Participating retailers may receive a small commission on ticket sales (varies by state), and an even smaller percentage is allocated to admin fees associated with running the games (less than 5%).
Who benefits from the lottery? A state-by-state guide.
Where do lottery proceeds go? Each state chooses how to best use the money they raise through lottery ticket sales. Are there any common themes between the states? Yes! Common themes include education, the great outdoors, veterans, crime prevention and other public services (variable by state).
Let’s take a closer look at each state and the beneficiaries they support.
Arizona Lottery
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Heritage Fund
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Commerce Authority Arizona Competes Fund
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Mass Transit
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Healthy Arizona
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State of Arizona General Fund
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Court Appointed Special Advocate Fund (Unclaimed prizes)
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Homeless Shelters
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Dept of Gaming
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University Bond Fund
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Internet Crimes Against Children Victims
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Tribal College Dual Enrollment Program
Arkansas Scholarship Lottery
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Educational Trust Fund
California Lottery
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Education
Colorado Lottery
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Division of Parks and Wildlife
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Conservation Trust Fund
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Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund
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School Fund
Connecticut Lottery
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General Fund (to benefit education, roads, health and hospitals, public safety, etc.)
Delaware Lottery
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General Fund
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Health & Social Services-Problem Gambler Programs
DC Lottery
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General Fund
Florida Lottery
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Education Enhancement Trust Fund
Georgia Lottery
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Lottery for Education Account
Idaho Lottery
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Public Schools (K-12)
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Public Buildings
Illinois Lottery
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Illinois Common School Fund (K-12)
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Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund
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Ticket For The Cure Fund
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Quality of Life Endowment Fund
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Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund
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Special Olympics Fund
Indiana Lottery
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Build Indiana Fund
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Teachers Pension Fund
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Police & Firefighters Pension Fund
Iowa Lottery
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General Fund
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Veterans Trust Fund
Kansas Lottery
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Transfers to the State
Kentucky Lottery
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Post-Secondary & College Scholarships
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Literacy Programs & Early Childhood Reading
Louisiana Lottery
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Transfers to State
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Problem Gambling
Maine Lottery
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General Fund
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Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund
Maryland Lottery
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Maryland General Fund - Lottery Profit
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Baltimore City Schools - Lottery Profit
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Maryland Stadium Authority - Lottery Profit
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Education Trust Fund - VLT and Table Game Proceeds
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Local Impact Grants - VLT Proceeds
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Horse Racing Industry - VLT Proceeds
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Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Businesses - VLT Proceeds
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Responsible Gaming - VLT and Table Game Assessments
Massachusetts Lottery
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Cities and Towns
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Arts Council
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General Fund
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Compulsive Gamblers
Michigan Lottery
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Education (K-12)
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Health and Human Services
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General Fund
Minnesota Lottery
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General Fund
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Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund
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Game & Fish Fund
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Natural Resources Fund
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Compulsive Gambling
Missouri Lottery
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Public Education in Missouri
Montana
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State of Montana General Fund
Nebraska
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Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund
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Education Innovation Fund
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Environmental Trust Fund
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State Fair Support & Improvement Fund
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Nebraska Opportunity Grant Fund
New Hampshire
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Education
New Jersey
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Education and Institutions
New Mexico
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Lottery Tuition Fund
New York
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Education
North Carolina
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Education
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Alcohol Law Enforcement
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NC Problem Gambling
North Dakota
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Compulsive Gambling Fund
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State General Fund
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Drug Task Force
Ohio
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Education
Oklahoma
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Education
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Mental Health
Oregon
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Economic Development
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Public Education
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Parks and Natural Resource Programs
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Gambling Addiction Prevention & Treatment Programs
Rhode Island
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General Fund
South Carolina
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Education Lottery Fund
South Dakota
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General Fund
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Capital Construction Fund
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Grant to Human Services
Tennessee
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Lottery for Education Account
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After School Program
Texas
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Foundation School Fund
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Multicategorical Teaching Hospital
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Texas Veterans Commission (Veterans Assistance Fund)
Vermont
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Education Fund
Virginia
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Direct aid to Public Education K-12
Washington's Lottery
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Washington Opportunity Pathways Account
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King County Stadium and Exhibition Center (Qwest Field)
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Economic Devel. Strategic Reserve
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Problem Gambling
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General Fund
West Virginia
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Education
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Senior Citizens
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Tourism
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Other
Wisconsin
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Public Benefit - Total Available for Property Tax Relief
Wyoming
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Wyoming Cities, Town, and Counties
Making a difference in your community
When you play the lottery in your state, not only are you getting to enjoy the thrill of the game, but you’re also supporting causes that are important to your state. Your lottery tickets contribute to vital community services such as educating children, helping people experiencing homelessness, veterans or parks and recreation.
Every time you play the lottery online or in the store, your ticket is helping to fund essential local programs, and that’s a win for your state! While each state distributes where lottery money goes a little differently, rest assured that every ticket played is making a difference.
Jackpocket, your digital lottery courier
Try your luck using Jackpocket, which is available in 17 states and Puerto Rico. Order your tickets just like you would in store, without the trip! Choose your own numbers or use the random Quick Pick option. In participating states, join your state lottery Pool or create a Pool for your lucky family and friends.
So, what are you waiting for? Download the Jackpocket app to order your lottery tickets today!
Need to stay in the loop with all things lotto? Or just want to know what’s new with Jackpocket? Check out our blog!
