By Allison Peck
LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Lottery has distributed more than $9.6 million in proceeds to state beneficiary funds following its latest quarterly transfer.
The transfer, completed during the week of July 3, totaled $9,622,092 and was generated through a share of Scratch and Lotto ticket sales over the previous three months.
Of the total, $4,281,831 was distributed to education programs as directed by the Nebraska Legislature, with an equal amount going to the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund. The Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund received $962,209, while the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund received $96,221.
Since the Nebraska Lottery began operations on Sept. 11, 1993, it has distributed more than $1.09 billion through quarterly transfers to beneficiary funds across the state.
The current distribution formula was established by Nebraska voters through Amendment 4 in 2004. Under the formula, 44.5% of Lottery proceeds are directed to education, 44.5% to the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, 10% to the Nebraska State Fair, and 1%—plus the first $500,000 in proceeds each fiscal year—to the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund.
According to the Nebraska Lottery, projects and services funded by Lottery proceeds have benefited all 93 Nebraska counties. The Lottery says its mission is to generate funding for public causes while providing quality entertainment options for Nebraskans.