COLUMBIA, SC (July 15, 2021) – The South Carolina Education Lottery is reporting record-setting results as proceeds raised for education, prizes paid to players and commissions earned by retailers all hit new highs for the fiscal year that ended June 30.
South Carolina’s students will benefit from an historic transfer of more than $607.6 million in lottery funds for Fiscal Year 2021. This tops last year’s transfer by $114.8 million, making it the largest year over year increase to date, and brings the Lottery’s total contribution to education to more than $6.6 BILLION since startup in 2002.
In other firsts, lottery players won more than $1.59 billion in prize money and lottery retailers earned in excess of $169 million in commissions in Fiscal Year 2021.
The Lottery’s annual results mirror trends seen industry wide as play picked up amid the pandemic. Factors like a lack of other entertainment options, pent up demand and federal stimulus programs likely contributed to the record numbers. In South Carolina scratch-off tickets remained a popular choice and interest in draw games grew. A Powerball® and Mega Millions® jackpot run early in the year and strong Pick 3 and Pick 4 sales also contributed to increased funding for education.
“In a year unlike any other, I am tremendously proud of the contribution we are making for education. We couldn’t have done it without the support we’ve received from our loyal players, hardworking retailers, committed employees and the Lottery Board of Commissioners,” said the Lottery’s Executive Director Hogan Brown. “While we will continue to build on our past success, we expect next year will mark a return to patterns more consistent with 2018 and 2019.”
Chairman of the SC Lottery Commission, Sam Litchfield adds, “On behalf of the Board, what the Lottery was able to accomplish this year is simply incredible. We are beyond pleased and filled with pride knowing these efforts will have a lasting and significant impact on education in South Carolina.”
Lottery proceeds are deposited into the Education Lottery Account, from which the General Assembly makes appropriations in support of higher education scholarships and grants, K-12 public education programs and community education programs throughout the state.
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South Carolina’s students will benefit from an historic transfer of more than $607.6 million in lottery funds for Fiscal Year 2021. This tops last year’s transfer by $114.8 million, making it the largest year over year increase to date, and brings the Lottery’s total contribution to education to more than $6.6 BILLION since startup in 2002.
In other firsts, lottery players won more than $1.59 billion in prize money and lottery retailers earned in excess of $169 million in commissions in Fiscal Year 2021.
The Lottery’s annual results mirror trends seen industry wide as play picked up amid the pandemic. Factors like a lack of other entertainment options, pent up demand and federal stimulus programs likely contributed to the record numbers. In South Carolina scratch-off tickets remained a popular choice and interest in draw games grew. A Powerball® and Mega Millions® jackpot run early in the year and strong Pick 3 and Pick 4 sales also contributed to increased funding for education.
“In a year unlike any other, I am tremendously proud of the contribution we are making for education. We couldn’t have done it without the support we’ve received from our loyal players, hardworking retailers, committed employees and the Lottery Board of Commissioners,” said the Lottery’s Executive Director Hogan Brown. “While we will continue to build on our past success, we expect next year will mark a return to patterns more consistent with 2018 and 2019.”
Chairman of the SC Lottery Commission, Sam Litchfield adds, “On behalf of the Board, what the Lottery was able to accomplish this year is simply incredible. We are beyond pleased and filled with pride knowing these efforts will have a lasting and significant impact on education in South Carolina.”
Lottery proceeds are deposited into the Education Lottery Account, from which the General Assembly makes appropriations in support of higher education scholarships and grants, K-12 public education programs and community education programs throughout the state.
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