Arkansas Lottery paid out $1 billion in prizes in 3 years

Feb 19, 2013, 2:32 pm (21 comments)

Arkansas Lottery

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery today announced that total prizes awarded to players in Arkansas have exceeded the astonishing $1 billion mark early Monday.

As of Tuesday morning, the prize total was calculated at exactly $1,001,373,313.

The Arkansas Lottery has been selling tickets for only three years and five months — since September 28, 2009.

Lottery Director Bishop Woosley said the Lottery has produced just over $321 million for the Education Trust Fund to finance 94,000 Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarships.  He added that the Lottery has sold more than $1.5 billion in tickets and paid commissions of about $85 million to the 1873 Lottery retailers around Arkansas.

"The purpose of the Lottery is to produce scholarships," Woosley said.  "When people have fun playing and have a good chance to win prizes, it drives sales and powers the scholarships. That's why we never forget our players.  It's been fun to see so many Arkansans win $1,000, $20,000 — or even $2,000,000 or $25,000,000 — since we opened our doors.  Surpassing $1 billion in prizes didn't seem possible in 2009.  Winning these prizes makes a difference in people's lives."

Woosley praised the convenience and grocery stores, liquor stores, gift shops, produce markets, newsstands, and other Arkansas businesses that sell the tickets.  "Without our retailers, we wouldn't sell a single ticket or fund a single scholarship," he said.  "Prizes drive sales, and the more sales, the more scholarships."

All net proceeds of the Arkansas Lottery go to fund college scholarships for Arkansas students at in-state two- or four-year institutions of higher learning.

Press Release, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

mightwin's avatarmightwin

94,000 scholarships that pretty good. Wonder how much each one is?

Ronnie316

Google says:

Year First Awarded 4 Year School 2 Year School
2010-11 $5000 $2500
2011-12 $4500 $2250
2012-13 $4500

$2250

http://www.adhe.edu/divisions/financialaid/pages/fa_acs.aspx

Ronnie316

Sounds like a great lottery if they paid $1 billion in prizes on $1.5 billion in sales.

Grovel's avatarGrovel

I wish some of that money had gone to me. There is always tomorrow I guess.

Ronnie316

I will avoid the lottery insanity. I will play the lottery today. LOL

noise-gate

Giving back a billion $$  is music to both the ears of those receiving & giving it..l wonder though if this person is a " real" Bishop or if that is just his name, cause money & religion can sometimes lead one down the road to perdition whether one is a spokeperson or not. .... Just saying.

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Congratulations Arkansas checked your website you all have some decent games & scratch- off better than Oklahoma..

mightwin's avatarmightwin

Since the purpose of the lottery is to produce scholarships,  the schools in Arkansas generally are doing ok financially then?

maximumfun's avatarmaximumfun

equity financing for scholarships.  novel idea.

mightwin's avatarmightwin

I remember elementary school in the late 80's first day of school we got all the school supplies needed for the year. Now my kids get a nice long list of everything we need to buy for the year. Our school district has been in the red for around 5 million a year for awhile now ( not sure how they keep goin). I don't think it will ever be like it was when I went to school but I do wonder how we've gone downhill so fast.

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

I like the idea of scholarships. Wtg Arkansas lottery! Nothing like going to college on a full-ride scholarship. Its one endless party Cheers

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by mightwin on Feb 19, 2013

Since the purpose of the lottery is to produce scholarships,  the schools in Arkansas generally are doing ok financially then?

I don't think the money helps the schools, but rather students who want to go to school.

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Feb 19, 2013

I like the idea of scholarships. Wtg Arkansas lottery! Nothing like going to college on a full-ride scholarship. Its one endless party Cheers

I Agree! Let the good times roll.

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by mightwin on Feb 19, 2013

I remember elementary school in the late 80's first day of school we got all the school supplies needed for the year. Now my kids get a nice long list of everything we need to buy for the year. Our school district has been in the red for around 5 million a year for awhile now ( not sure how they keep goin). I don't think it will ever be like it was when I went to school but I do wonder how we've gone downhill so fast.

Perhaps $4.00 a gallon for gas had something to do with it. What?

mightwin's avatarmightwin

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Feb 19, 2013

I don't think the money helps the schools, but rather students who want to go to school.

I would guess the schools are doing ok since they are putting the $ towards college. Wouldn't make sense to help out secondary students if k-12 schools are suffering.............but then again lol.

Ronnie316

Quote: Originally posted by mightwin on Feb 19, 2013

I would guess the schools are doing ok since they are putting the $ towards college. Wouldn't make sense to help out secondary students if k-12 schools are suffering.............but then again lol.

$321 million spread out over 3 years to schools all over the state is likely a very small impact. I'm happy for the students who may otherwise have to stay home or serve tacos at the drive thru.

mightwin's avatarmightwin

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Feb 19, 2013

$321 million spread out over 3 years to schools all over the state is likely a very small impact. I'm happy for the students who may otherwise have to stay home or serve tacos at the drive thru.

Hey I serve tacos in the drive thru .............lol just kidding.

sully16's avatarsully16

Job well done Arkansas.

RedStang's avatarRedStang

Quote: Originally posted by Ronnie316 on Feb 19, 2013

Google says:

Year First Awarded 4 Year School 2 Year School
2010-11 $5000 $2500
2011-12 $4500 $2250
2012-13 $4500

$2250

http://www.adhe.edu/divisions/financialaid/pages/fa_acs.aspx

Not bad. Thats good for 10 books these days.

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

Quote: Originally posted by mightwin on Feb 19, 2013

I remember elementary school in the late 80's first day of school we got all the school supplies needed for the year. Now my kids get a nice long list of everything we need to buy for the year. Our school district has been in the red for around 5 million a year for awhile now ( not sure how they keep goin). I don't think it will ever be like it was when I went to school but I do wonder how we've gone downhill so fast.

That was during the Reign of Ronaldus Magnus.

Now we have Obamus Minimus.

jamella724

It's nice to know that even though some people lost a wager some scholars are benefitting from the money that the lottery raised. However, of course everybody wants to win. Let's just keep our chances open. :)..If we didn't win, let's just think that we donated the money Big Smile.

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