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Lottery sales up over last year

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A representative from the Missouri Lottery confirmed that ticket sales are $8.1 million higher, up 2.5 percent, so far in FY 2016 (which began July 1) compared to the same time last year.

“More than $39.5 million in prizes of $1,000 or more were awarded to Missouri Lottery players during August,” said Susan Goedde at the Lottery. “Thousands of other prizes of less than $1,000 were also awarded during August.”

The increase comes weeks after the Lottery announced that they had sent $21.2 million to help fund public education.

“The transfer of $21,279,136 is based on August sales and brings the total to education in FY16 to more than $70.1 million,” the Lottery announced Sept. 11. “Since Missouri Lottery sales started in 1986, the Lottery has generated more than $5.1 billion for the state and public education. Programs funded in FY16 include the A+ Scholarship Program, the Foundation Program and Access Missouri.”

The lottery also collects state taxes on winnings over $600. During the last fiscal year, the Lottery added $8.7 million in state tax collections from prize winnings to the general revenue fund.