Where the Money Goes

The Missouri Lottery has contributed more than $3 billion to Missouri and public education!

For a comprehensive list of projects and programs funded, view the Missouri Lottery Progress Report.

Fiscal year results: Missouri Lottery proceeds in FY06 were the best ever. The total proceeds contributed to public education in fiscal year 2007 were more than $259 million. For more information, please see Sales and Proceeds History.

How each dollar is divided: Approximately 27.1 cents of every dollar spent on the Missouri Lottery benefits Missouri's public education programs; 63 cents goes back to players as prizes, 3.8 cents is used for administrative costs and 6.1 cents goes to retailers in the form of commissions, incentives and bonuses. In all, more than 96 cents of every dollar stays in Missouri!

How proceeds are allocated: When the Lottery began in 1986, proceeds from ticket sales went to the Missouri State General Revenue Fund. In August 1992, voters passed Amendment 11 earmarking Lottery proceeds to solely benefit public education. Each year, the Missouri Legislature determines how these proceeds will be allocated. The proceeds represent about 4 percent of the total funding for Missouri's public elementary, secondary and higher education systems.

Lottery funds help support a variety of programs including early childhood special education, computer networking, construction of college and university buildings, library acquisitions and educational scholarships. These programs and others that receive Lottery money provide the resources that help Missouri students fulfill their individual dreams — dreams that define Missouri's future and ultimately benefit all of Missouri residents.

How each dollar is divided