LINCOLN, Neb. (KSNB) - Strong ticket sales and a billion-dollar Mega Millions jackpot run resulted in the largest amount of proceeds transferred to the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds since the Lottery was established in 1993.

A total of $15,201,537, derived from a share of Scratch and Lotto ticket sales from the previous three months, was distributed the week of April 2 among the beneficiaries in the following manner:

Nebraska Education Improvement Fund, $6,764,684; Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, $6,764,684; Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund, $1,520,154; and Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, $152,015.

The latest transfer exceeded the previous record of $14,484,483 transferred in March 2016. A total of $818,993,865 in proceeds has been distributed since the Nebraska Lottery began operation on September 11, 1993.

Nebraska Lottery Director Brian Rockey attributes the historic transfer amount to strong sales of Mega Millions and Powerball tickets during the quarter. “Mega Millions and Powerball started 2021 with record jackpots, including a $731.1 million Powerball jackpot for the January 20 drawing and a $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot for the January 22 draw,” said Rockey. “Ticket sales for both games, in addition to continued growth in Scratch ticket sales, resulted in this unprecedented quarterly transfer to our beneficiary funds. We’re proud of our continuing mission of helping our beneficiaries build a better Nebraska with lottery proceeds.”

The increased transfer amount will have a direct impact in Nebraska. Projects funded with lottery proceeds range from critical habitat protection for wildlife and grants to Nebraska college students to enhancements to facilities at the Nebraska State Fair and assistance for problem gamblers.

Amendment 4 passed by Nebraska voters in November of 2004 established the following distribution formula: Education as directed by the Legislature (44.5 percent) - currently distributed to the Nebraska Education Improvement Fund; Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund (44.5 percent); Nebraska State Fair (10 percent); and the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund (1 percent, plus the first $500,000 in fund proceeds each fiscal year).

Criteria for proceeds distribution are established by the beneficiary funds in accordance with legislative mandates. Every county in Nebraska has received service through grants funded with Nebraska Lottery proceeds.

The Nebraska Lottery marked $3 billion in total sales (since 1993) in June 2019. Sales for fiscal year 2020 totaled $183 million. Visit the Nebraska Lottery website, nelottery.com, for more information.

https://www.ksnblocal4.com/2021/04/02/nebraska-lottery-generates-record-amount-of-beneficiaries/