Yesterday the Arkansas Lottery posted its financial figures for the month of February.

The Arkansas Lottery took in nearly $40.8 million in February, but paid out a paltry $4.5 million for scholarships–about 11% of its gross revenue for the month.

This is the same, old story we have seen month after month at the Arkansas Lottery: No matter what lottery ticket sales do, scholarship funding takes a backseat.

Even in January, when PowerBall sales went through the roof, college scholarships did not see even 24 cents of every dollar the Arkansas Lottery made.

Below is a breakdown of lottery figures since the start of Fiscal Year 2016 last July:

Month Gross Lottery Revenue Paid to Scholarships % Gross Revenue
July $ 31,665,651.14 $ 5,784,683.09 18.3%
August 31,265,177.55 5,490,094.00 17.6%
September 36,134,389.63 6,624,967.11 18.3%
October 35,261,533.80 6,020,642.32 17.1%
November 32,226,599.28 5,725,139.09 17.8%
December 38,670,746.09 6,425,754.66 16.6%
January, 2016 58,746,249.00 13,831,359.75 23.5%
February 40,790,144.05 4,474,356.06 11.0%
Total $ 304,760,490.54 $ 54,376,996.08 17.8%

As you can see, the Arkansas Lottery has allocated less than 18% of its total revenue for scholarships this fiscal year. Based on these numbers, the Arkansas Lottery is on track to pay out somewhere around $80 – $85 million for scholarships in Fiscal Year 2016.

Below is a breakdown of Arkansas Lottery figures since July of 2014:

Month Gross Lottery Revenue Paid to Scholarships % Gross Revenue
July, 2014 $ 30,925,067.43 $ 5,928,447.99 19.2%
August 31,571,412.10 5,296,965.80 16.8%
September 30,710,493.31 4,317,227.10 14.1%
October 32,959,739.29 5,939,625.59 18.0%
November 30,617,278.28 5,577,035.16 18.2%
December 34,507,731.54 5,474,318.77 15.9%
January, 2015 35,433,619.67 7,287,773.28 20.6%
February 41,770,314.46 6,161,343.01 14.8%
March 37,367,453.25 6,898,524.35 18.5%
April 33,866,970.54 5,881,005.95 17.4%
May 35,689,036.10 5,409,050.48 15.2%
June 33,815,559.59 8,278,928.14 24.5%
July 31,665,651.14 5,784,683.09 18.3%
August 31,265,177.55 5,490,094.00 17.6%
September 36,134,389.63 6,624,967.11 18.3%
October 35,261,533.80 6,020,642.32 17.1%
November 32,226,599.28 5,725,139.09 17.8%
December 38,670,746.09 6,425,754.66 16.6%
January, 2016 58,746,249.00 13,831,359.75 23.5%
February 40,790,144.05 4,474,356.06 11.0%
Total $ 713,995,166.10 $ 126,827,241.70 17.8%

 

3 comments

  1. Bob Blankenship

    I would like to see a breakdown of what the other states with Lotteries gives in scholarships. Also I wished you had posted the breakdown in funds spent for the year. Like Louisiana the Arkansas Legislature could pass a bill requiring the 35% also. Perhaps they are too top heavy in Administration and employees and salaries.

  2. Tim Freel

    Where is the rest going? Salaries and admin , Payout Then what

  3. Pingback: In 72 Months AR Lottery Makes $2.7 Billion, Pays Less Than 20% to Students | Family Council

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