COLUMBIA, S.C (WPDE) — South Carolina education will receive a record-setting amount of $607.6 million from the South Carolina Education Lottery.

Proceeds raised for education, prizes paid to players and commissions earned by retailers all hit new highs for the fiscal year that ended June 30.This tops the 2020 transfer by $114.8 million, making it the largest year-over-year increase to date, and brings the Lottery’s total contribution to education to more than $6.6 billion since it began in 2002.

Lottery players also won more than $1.59 billion in prize money and lottery retailers earned in excess of $169 million in commissions in Fiscal Year 2021.Officials said factors such as a lack of other entertainment options, pent-up demand and federal stimulus programs likely contributed to the record numbers.

“In a year unlike any other, I am tremendously proud of the contribution we are making for education. We couldn’t have done it without the support we’ve received from our loyal players, hardworking retailers, committed employees and the Lottery Board of Commissioners,” said the Lottery’s Executive Director Hogan Brown. “While we will continue to build on our past success, we expect next year will mark a return to patmterns ore consistent with 2018 and 2019.”

Chairman of the SC Lottery Commission, Sam Litchfield adds, “On behalf of the Board, what the Lottery was able to accomplish this year is simply incredible. We are beyond pleased and filled with pride knowing these efforts will have a lasting and significant impact on education in South Carolina.”

Lottery proceeds are deposited into the Education Lottery Account, from which the General Assembly makes appropriations in support of higher education scholarships and grants, K-12 public education programs and community education programs throughout the state.  

https://fox28media.com/news/local/sc-lottery-raises-record-setting-607m-for-state-education