Florida Lottery – Scratch-off ticket counter — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: The Toidi
In the fiscal year 2021–2022, the Florida Lottery stated that it transferred $2.3 billion to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF). This is the second year in a row that contributions to education have topped $2 billion in a single fiscal year.
According to internal lottery figures, the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots alone brought in $184.1 million for educating the public. A $50 scratch-off ticket was bought in February, and the organization claims that it helped raise $261.7 million for educational purposes.
The EETF receives a part of every Florida Lottery ticket sold, which covers the remaining fundraising in 2022.
As of December 2022, the state lottery has donated $43 billion to education since 1988, ranking first in the country for lotto sales with $9.3 billion in sales over the previous year.
“I’m honored to be a part of Governor DeSantis’ administration and especially proud to lead an agency that supports the Governor’s ongoing commitment to education in our great state,” said Florida Lottery Secretary John F. Davis. “This year was another one for the record books and furthered our mission of creating brighter futures for students, their families, and the communities in which they reside across Florida.”
Nearly one-fourth of the revenue generated by the Florida Lottery System, or 24.6 percent, goes to the state’s education fund.
Before money is given to public school systems, the state legislature, with consultation from the Florida Department of Education, decides how it will be divided.
Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Orange, and Palm Beach counties, which comprise Florida’s five largest school districts, combined received more than $341 million in 2021 from Lottery subsidies.
Broward County received $41.9 million, Hillsborough County received $76.9 million, Orange County received $71.7 million, and Palm Beach County brought in $44.6 million. Miami-Dade County received $106.2 million.
Contributions from the lottery also aid in funding state scholarships for Floridians enrolling in college.
Since the Florida Legislature established the Bright Futures Scholarship Program in 1997, the Florida Lottery has provided the majority of the funding for the program, which offers high-achieving high school students in the state either full or three-quarter tuition coverage.
According to the Florida Lottery, the Bright Futures Scholarship Program has received more than $7.48 billion in funding.
Since the Lottery’s founding, it has donated more than $23 billion to Florida’s public schools, while more than $11 billion has gone to colleges and universities.
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Mike has more than 30 years of experience in marketing and public relations. He once owned his own agency and has worked with some of the largest brands in the world.
