$1.419 Billion Investment in Schools from Lottery Funding 

by | Feb 14, 2022 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 14, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Announces Record-Breaking $1.419 Billion Investment in Michigan Schools from Michigan Lottery Funding

 

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Whitmer today announced the Michigan Lottery contributed a record-breaking $1.419 billion to the School Aid Fund in fiscal year 2021, shattering its previous record set last year by nearly $240 million. This is the third consecutive year the Lottery has contributed more than $1 billion to the fund, and the Lottery’s seventh consecutive record contribution.

 

“When Michiganders play to win, our students and schools win too,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The Michigan Lottery’s record contribution to the School Aid Fund helps us keep kids safe and learning in-person, delivers critical funding to support K-12 programs, and ensures every family has access to a high-quality, public education. The Lottery’s record-setting performance over the last seven years has helped us put Michigan students first. Together, we have closed the funding gap between schools, raised per-student funding, and improved school facilities, all without raising taxes. I am grateful to everyone who has made this substantial investment in our kids possible.”

 

Since the record-breaking streak began in FY15, the Lottery’s contribution to the School Aid Fund has increased 78.5%.

 

Lottery contributions to the School Aid Fund over the prior six years were:

  • FY20: $1.179 billion
  • FY19: $1.070 billion
  • FY18:  $941.2 million
  • FY17:  $924.1 million
  • FY16:  $888.9 million
  • FY15:  $795.5 million

 

Lottery retailers received a record $370.9 million in commissions in FY21, up more than 82% from $203.6 million in FY15. The average payment to retailers in FY21 as a percentage of sales was 7.4%, including commissions, incentives, and bonuses. Lottery products are sold at more than 10,000 locations across Michigan, ranging in size from independently-owned businesses to large chains. In FY21, 925 retailers sold $1 million or more in Lottery games.

 

“Lottery purchases help support Michigan schools and businesses,” said Lottery Commissioner, Brian O. Neill.  “These incredible results would not be possible without our players, retailers, vendors, the dedicated team at Lottery, and support across state government.”

 

Other records set by the Lottery in the FY21 include more than $5 billion in sales and more than $3.1 billion in prizes to players. Record sales in FY21 were driven in large part by instant games, a $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot, and the Lottery’s internet platform.

 

Since it began in 1972, the Lottery has raised more than $26 billion for public education in Michigan. Approximately $7.2 billion, or 28%, of that amount was raised over the last seven record-breaking years.

 

The Lottery is also committed to promoting responsible gaming. Michigan was the first state lottery to receive certification of its online program through the National Council on Problem Gambling and has also attained Responsible Gaming Verification through the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries. Responsible gaming information and resources are available on the Lottery’s website at: www.michiganlottery.com/responsible-gaming.

 

For each dollar spent on a Michigan Lottery ticket in FY21, approximately:

  • 61 cents went to players as prizes
  • 28 cents went to the School Aid Fund to support public education
  • 9 cents went to commissions for retailers and vendors
  • 2 cents funded the Lottery’s operations and administrative costs

 

Under state law, all profits from the Lottery go to the School Aid Fund.

 

All FY21 numbers are preliminary and unaudited.

 

More than 97 cents of every dollar spent on Lottery tickets is returned to the state in the form of contributions to the state School Aid Fund, prizes to players and commissions to vendors and retailers. In the 2021 fiscal year, the Lottery provided more than $1.419 billion for Michigan’s public schools, its seventh record contribution in a row. Since it began in 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $26 billion to support public education in Michigan. For additional information, follow the Michigan Lottery on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and online at www.michiganlottery.com.