Nebraska lottery marks record distribution of funds to Nebraska beneficiaries
The Nebraska Lottery last week marked a significant milestone, having now transferred more than $1 billion in proceeds back to Nebraska since 1993.
Proceeds from the sale of scratch and lotto tickets have been distributed in quarterly transfers since Sept. 11, 1993, when the Nebraska Lottery began operating.
The latest transfer of over $11 million, made the week of Sept. 30, brought the total to over $1 billion.
Around 25 cents of every dollar spent on lottery products is transferred back to Nebraska, said Nebraska Lottery director Brian Rockey.
"When you buy a Nebraska Lottery ticket, you're supporting good causes all across our state," Rockey said in a news release.
Projects supported by lottery proceeds include restoring habitat for wildlife, grants for Nebraska college students, improvements for the Nebraska State Fair and help for Nebraskans with gambling addictions.
Amendment 4, passed by Nebraska voters in 2004, established the formula Nebraska Lottery uses to distribute the proceeds.
The Nebraska Environmental Trust and education programs, as controlled by the Legislature, each receive 44.5% of the proceeds. The Nebraska State Fair receives 10% and the Problem Gamblers Assistance Program receives the remaining 1% plus $500,000.
Since 1993, educational programs have received the most money. The Nebraska Opportunity Grant program receives the largest share of lottery proceeds for education.
"Nebraska Lottery proceeds distributed to the Nebraska Opportunity Grant program have helped hundreds of thousands of Nebraska students pay for their college education over the past three decades, benefitting them, their families and all Nebraskans," said Michael Baumgartner, executive director of the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education.
The Nebraska Environmental Trust has benefited from more than $430 million in funds from the Nebraska Lottery. According to Karl Elmshaeuser, executive director of the Nebraska Environmental Trust, the trust has used the funds for projects impacting wildlife habitation, surface and ground water, waste management, air quality and soil management across Nebraska.
As a beneficiary of the Nebraska Lottery, the state fair has embedded agricultural education into its mission, said Jaime Parr, executive director of the Nebraska State Fair.
The Problem Gamblers Assistance Program has trained counselors in gambling addiction, provided continuing education and offered free counseling services to Nebraskans across 11 towns and cities using the beneficiary funds, said David Geier, director of the Nebraska Problem Gamblers Assistance Program.
"We are extremely proud of our record of making a difference in Nebraska along with our players and retailers," Rockey said.
In April, the Nebraska Lottery marked $4 billion in total sales.
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