28 PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL • MARCH/APRIL 2024 The Tennessee Education Lottery’s (TEL) impact on education in the Volunteer State has been nothing short of phenomenal. Just consider: The number of Lottery-funded scholarships and grants could fill the University of Tennessee’s 101,915-seat Neyland Stadium in Knoxville to capacity for each year since the TEL’s launch 20 years ago—in other words, more than two million such awards. Even from Day One of ticket sales on January 20, 2004, the Lottery exceeded expectations, having started three weeks earlier than anticipated and netting an additional $30 million for education programs such as scholarships and grants to higher education institutions and enriching after-school programs for those attending K-12 schools. “The primary vision behind the Lottery was that it would help keep the best and brightest minds in the state and assist those who otherwise might not be able to afford a higher education,” says industry veteran Rebecca Paul, President and CEO, who lead the launch of the TEL as well as that of the Florida and Georgia lotteries. “College graduates tend to reside in the area in which they graduated, and the goal was to keep that talented workforce in the state. At the same time, we provide a source of entertainment, prizes for lucky winners, commissions for our retailers and so much more.” The numbers are impressive—more than $7.2 billion raised for education in 20 years—but that’s just the tip of the iceberg in describing what the TEL has meant for Tennesseans. Success for Students What started with five Lotteryfunded programs in the fall of 2004 has blossomed into the 15 programs of today. This expansion is solely based on the heady success of the TEL, which has grown gross revenues an average of 5.2% annually since its first full fiscal year. Ongoing surpluses have given the state’s legislature the ability to analyze and expand the programs, which now fund educational awards from HOPE Scholarships to Tennessee Promise, which can provide a tuition-free two-year program at a community college. There are also awards for those with intellectual disabilities, veterans, and non-traditional students aged 25 or older. There’s even an energy-efficient schools initiative that has disbursed more than $102.5 million in energy efficient grants and loans to public K-12 schools. “Everyone who is part of the TEL’s 175-plus dynamic team is proud of the work we do and 20 Years of Winning for Education—and So Much More The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation Reaches a Major Milestone in Marking its 20th Anniversary TEL employees join in marking milestones, such as when the Lottery crossed over $2 billion raised for education. College sporting events are a prime opportunity for raising awareness about the funding raised by the Lottery. Here, Rebecca and a Board member present a ceremonial check at the University of Tennessee to symbolize the Lottery’s milestone of crossing $1 Billion raised for education in 2007.
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