The Missouri Lottery has surpassed the $4.5 billion mark in its proceeds to fund elementary, secondary, and higher education throughout the state.

Since July 1993, the Missouri Lottery has generated more than 4 billion dollars for public elementary, secondary, and higher education in Missouri. Some programs funded by the lottery’s donation includes the A+ Scholarship program, the Foundation Program, and Access Missouri. Missouri Lottery Executive Director May Scheve says she is thrilled the Lottery has been able to provide that much funding to Missouri education. “The money goes to a lottery prize fund which is then appropriated by the legislature, so it does not go to General Revenue, it goes directly to elementary, secondary, and higher education,” Scheve said.

Scheve says this also includes providing funds to Missouri Lottery players. “When they win we are very proud of the fact that we have given $4.5 million to education and we know where the money goes is very well needed, and it’s very well spent so we’re thrilled to be part of the process,” she said. ”

Scheve says the money the lottery donates is being greatly utilized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, but hopes to get more people to play so they can give more money to education.

Nearly half a billion dollars has gone to the General Revenue until voters decided in 1992 to send all proceeds directly to public education instead. Since the law has taken effect in 1993, more than 4 billion dollars has been generated to the Department of Education. “So every week, every month, all year long, the lottery is sending over the proceeds from ticket sales to education,” Scheve said. “And when we have really great weeks where we have a $280 million jackpot for Powerball, it really helps sales which in the end helps education.”

 

AUDIO: Mary Farucci reports. (1:04)