The large Powerball jackpot last November is being credited with having a part in the biggest amount of money the Nebraska Lottery's beneficiary fund has seen yet.
A total of $10,260,110, derived from
a share of Scratch and Lotto ticket sales from the previous three months, was the largest amount to be transferred since the Lottery was established in 1993.
The money was
distributed the week of December 28, 2012 and was doled out in the following way:
- Education Innovation Fund: $2,026,372;
- Nebraska Opportunity Grant Fund: $2,539,377;
- Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund: $4,565,749;
- Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund: $1,026,011;
and
- Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund: $102,601.
This transfer exceeded the previous
record of $10,071,052 transferred as recently as June 2012.
Nebraska Lottery Director Jim
Haynes attributed the transfer amount to a record $587.5 million Powerball
jackpot in November 2012, and strong Scratch ticket sales throughout the
quarter.
"Powerball is designed to generate large jackpots, and ticket sales increase
as the jackpot rises," said Haynes. "Increased sales mean that more money is
available for our beneficiary funds. We're extremely pleased to have another
record transfer because of the benefits for our state."
Every county in Nebraska has
received service through grants funded with Nebraska Lottery proceeds. Projects
that use these 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.
"We want each one of
our players to know that when they purchase a Nebraska Lottery ticket, all of
Nebraska reaps the rewards," said Haynes.
A total of $468,793,934 has been
distributed in quarterly transfers since the Nebraska Lottery began operation
on September 11, 1993. The funds' respective totals to date are:
- Education Innovation Fund: $147,146,367;
- Nebraska Opportunity Grant Fund:
$66,998,196;
- Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund:
$195,683,566;
- Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund:
$24,431,869;
and
- Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund:
$11,072,940.
In addition to those amounts, prior to July 1, 1997, the Solid
Waste Landfill Closure Assistance Fund received proceeds totaling $18,460,996; and in 2004, the Legislature directed that a one-time transfer of $5 million be
made to the State General Fund.
