Published: December 19, 2018

Michigan Lottery sends record $941 million to schools in 2018

"Several factors contributed to Lottery's success in 2018, including strong relationships with our retailers, research and development of new game ideas, exceptional teamwork across the organization and the greatly appreciated support of our players," said Commissioner Brian O. Neill.

LANSING (WJRT) (12/17/2018) - The Michigan Lottery set a record contribution to schools for the fourth straight year with $941.2 million in the 2018 fiscal year.

Since the lottery was created in 1972, it has contributed $22.4 billion for public and charter schools in the state.

For the fiscal year from Oct. 1, 2017, to Sept. 30, 2018, the lottery recorded sales of $3.6 billion, which topped last year's previous record of $3.3 billion.

Besides the school aid fund transfer, $2.2 billion went back to players as prizes, $266 million went to commissions for lottery retailers and the rest paid for lottery operations.

For every dollar spent on a Michigan Lottery ticket in 2018:
-- 62 cents went back to players as prizes.
-- 26 cents went to the School Aid Fund. 
-- 9 cents went to commissions for retailers and vendors.
-- 3 cents was used to fund the lottery's operations.

The school aid fund totaled about $14.5 billion in 2017, so the lottery's contribution in 2018 funded about 7 percent of Michigan's public and charter school funding.

Michigan Lottery officials say the sales record can be attributed to a 12.6 percent increase in instant scratch off ticket sales, continued growth in online sales and the record Mega Millions jackpots last fall.

"Several factors contributed to Lottery's success in 2018, including strong relationships with our retailers, research and development of new game ideas, exceptional teamwork across the organization and the greatly appreciated support of our players," said Commissioner Brian O. Neill.

Michigan Lottery also earned Responsible Gaming Verification from the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries and recertification of its online program through the National Council on Problem Gambling.

"Our games are meant to be fun and support schools," Neill said. "But it is important to remember that they are a form of gambling. If gambling of any kind is negatively affecting you or someone in your life, please call the helpline printed on all tickets or use the resources available on our website."

administrative costs
Under state law, all profits from the Lottery go to the School Aid Fund. In FY 2018, contributions from the Lottery comprised approximately 7 percent of the fund.

https://www.abc12.com/content/news/Michigan-Lottery-sends-record-941-million-to-schools-in-2018-502979481.html