More than $1B raised for education in 2025, NC Lottery Commission says

North Carolina's lottery has exceeded $1 billion in contributions to education for the third year in a row. Officials said the milestone is driven by a surge in digital sales.

North Carolina’s state-run lottery has exceeded $1 billion for the third year in a row, buoyed by record sales credited in part to digital sales. As a result, more than $1 billion will go to support educational needs in the state.

The North Carolina Education Lottery announced on Tuesday that it set a record for sales in the 2025 fiscal year of $6.6 billion. It is the only state-run lottery in the country to “increase sales every year of its operations,” according to a news release put out by the state lottery system.

The surge in sales can be partly attributed to digital sales.

North Carolina is just one of a handful of states that allow players to purchase tickets through an app and website. The state's lottery commission voted in 2023 to approve the sale of digital instant gaming. 

The report comes just days after two players won the $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot on Saturday and as the Mega Millions jackpot reached $453 million on Tuesday

According to a spokesperson, nearly 40% of lottery sales came from its digital product called Digital Instants.

Population growth and large multistate jackpots also contribute to the growth. Shoppers in the state spent $16.8 million hoping to win the $1.8 billion Powerball Jackpot this past weekend.

Matt Schulz, chief consumer finance analyst for LendingTree, looked at 2023 census data and found the average North Carolinian spends $421 a year on lottery tickets, the 12th highest in the nation. Massachusetts tops the list at $915 per person, while North Dakota spends the least at just $50.

“I think people know that they are more likely to be struck by lightning than win, but I think people like to be able to dream about what they would do with that money,” Schulz said.

However, if you’re playing the lottery to make money, it may be time to rethink. Put that same $421 a year into a 5% savings account each year for five years, and you’d have about $2,300, a far better payoff.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Visit morethanagamenc.com.

https://www.wral.com/consumer/5onyourside/north-carolina-lottery-surpasses-1b-education-digital-sales-2025/