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SCEL TRANSFERS $16 MILLION TO EDUCATION

6/23/2003 12:00:00 AM

Columbia, SC: On Thursday, June 12, 2003, the South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL) transferred $16 million to the State Treasury for deposit into the Education Lottery Account (ELA). During the first 11 months of fiscal year ’03, the SCEL has transferred more than $203 million to the ELA.

Of that amount, more than $5.6 million represents unclaimed prize money which is appropriated for school buses and gambling addiction programs.

“These transfers represent the lottery’s profit as of May 2003, “said SCEL’s Executive Director, Ernie Passailaigue. “Last month we surpassed the Board of Economic Advisory’s estimate for fiscal ’03 and we still have one monthly transfer to make. The proceeds will be used to enhance the educational opportunities for the citizens of this great state.”

Since the lottery was launched last year, South Carolina lottery players have won more than $582 million in prizes.

This month, the SCEL also celebrated another milestone when its cumulative sales of lottery tickets surpassed one billion dollars. Since January 2002, the SCEL has transferred more than $280 million to the State Education Lottery Account for distribution according to South Carolina Legislation. The SCEL’s net proceeds pay for specific educational programs, including South Carolina’s HOPE, LIFE and Palmetto Fellows Scholarships; the National Guard Scholarship Program; Lottery Tuition Assistance for two-year programs within the state’s university system; a wide range of technical upgrades for state colleges and universities; school buses; local libraries and gambling addiction services. For a complete listing of the legislative distribution of lottery dollars, please visit our website: www.sceducationlottery.com.

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