JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A representative from the Missouri Lottery confirmed that ticket sales are $8.1 million higher, up 2.5 percent, so far in FY 2016 (which began July 1) compared to the same time last year.
“More than $39.5 million in prizes of $1,000 or more were awarded to Missouri Lottery players during August,” said Susan Goedde at the Lottery. “Thousands of other prizes of less than $1,000 were also awarded during August.”
The increase comes weeks after the Lottery announced that they had sent $21.2 million to help fund public education.
“The transfer of $21,279,136 is based on August sales and brings the total to education in FY16 to more than $70.1 million,” the Lottery announced Sept. 11. “Since Missouri Lottery sales started in 1986, the Lottery has generated more than $5.1 billion for the state and public education. Programs funded in FY16 include the A+ Scholarship Program, the Foundation Program and Access Missouri.”
The lottery also collects state taxes on winnings over $600. During the last fiscal year, the Lottery added $8.7 million in state tax collections from prize winnings to the general revenue fund.
Rachael Herndon is the editor at The Missouri Times, and also produces This Week in Missouri Politics, publishes Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosts the #moleg podcast. She joined the Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
To contact Rachael, email rachael@themissouritimes.com, or via Twitter @TheRachDunn.