The Michigan Lottery has raised more than $1.179bn for the state’s schools in the fiscal year 2020, marking the sixth record-setting year in a row for lottery contributions to the School Aid Fund.
It was also the second consecutive year that the lottery has generated more than $1bn for public education in the Wolverine State in a single fiscal year.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said: “We continue to find ways to make historic investments in our classrooms in conjunction with the bipartisan budget that I signed last year to make the largest investment in K-12 education in the history of our state without raising taxes.
“The Michigan Lottery’s $1.179bn contributions in education will add to this record investment to help our students, our teachers, and our communities thrive. For six years in a row, the Michigan Lottery has set records, and I am grateful to the players, retailers, vendors, and state agencies who make this investment in our kids and their future possible.”
In the previous five years, the lottery’s contributions to the School Aid Fund have been $1.070bn in FY19, $941.28m in FY18, $924.11m in FY17, $888.91m in FY16, $795.50m in FY15.
Since 1972, the lottery has raised more than $24.5bn for public education in Michigan. Approximately $5.8bn (23.6%) of that amount was raised over the last six record-breaking years. Under state law, all profits from the lottery go to the School Aid Fund.
In FY20, the lottery also achieved more than $4.2bn in sales, paid out more than $2.5bn in prizes to players, and generated more than $307m in commissions to lottery retail locations across the state ranging in size from small independently owned stores to large chains.
Record sales in FY20 were driven in part by the lottery’s internet platform and instant games. Internet-based sales increased by almost 88% and instant-game sales increased by about 23% compared to FY19.
Its internet platform saw an increase in player registrations which led to greater awareness of games both online and at retail. Players participating in promotions online frequently received offers redeemed at retail locations, further connecting its internet platform to retail businesses.
Lottery Commissioner Brian O Neill added: “Each lottery purchase in Michigan helps raise critical funding for our schools. The last six record-setting years would not be possible without the support of our players and the dedicated work of our retailers, vendors, and teams at both lottery and supporting state agencies.”
In December, the lottery received re-certification for its commitment to responsible gaming after completing the Internet Responsible Gambling Compliance Assessment Program (iCAP) through the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).
