Many Idahoans wonder where the money goes from the sale of lottery tickets. "Does the money really go towards education and Idaho's schools?" The answer to that question is yes, the funds all go back to Idaho's public schools! Since 1989, more than $1.3 billion worth of tickets and scratch games have been sold. Over the course of the past 16 years, the Idaho Lottery has given back more than $300 million to Idaho’s 114 school districts and the permanent building fund. For the second straight year the Idaho Lottery posted record dividends, providing more than $26 million in dividends and related earnings to the people of Idaho, making all Idahoans winners.

Lottery dividends from the permanent building fund are used to improve the State’s public facilities and colleges. This year, lottery funds helped rehabilitate 82 different projects statewide, including re-roofing the Idaho Historical Museum, retrofitting a fine arts heating and cooling system at the College of Southern Idaho, renovating a lecture hall at Boise State University, as well as conducting work on a reclaimed water system and updating the elevators at the University of Idaho.

Lottery monies have made our public schools safer by refurbishing playgrounds, completing asbestos abatement projects, repairing worn roofs, and updating fire alarm systems. Our schools have seen improvements through fine arts remodeling, development of track and field complexes, purchasing new buses, and even assisting the construction of new elementary schools.

For more information go to Idaho State Lottery

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