This week the Arkansas Lottery released its financial report for the month of January.
The report shows the Lottery took in nearly $41 million last month, but paid only $8.2 million to scholarships — about 20 cents of every dollar it made.
Overall, only about 15% the Arkansas Lottery’s revenue this fiscal year has gone to scholarships.
However, nearly 69% of lottery revenue goes to prizes — one of the highest prize budgets of any lottery in America.
Altogether, the Arkansas Lottery spends nearly 4.5 times more money on prizes than on scholarships.
As we have said time and time again: The Arkansas Lottery’s priorities are completely out of balance. Students ought to come first — not last.
Below is a breakdown of Arkansas Lottery scholarship spending so far this fiscal year.
| Month | Gross Lottery Revenue | Paid to Scholarships | % Gross Revenue |
| July | $41,239,173.79 | $4,523,930.75 | 11.0% |
| August | 40,899,086.75 | 4,942,736.97 | 12.1% |
| September | 36,202,677.79 | 6,565,973.32 | 18.1% |
| October | 38,932,640.23 | 6,318,099.21 | 16.2% |
| November | 36,118,641.12 | 5,947,177.45 | 16.5% |
| December | 46,134,469.21 | 6,371,983.49 | 13.8% |
| January, 2020 | 40,802,067.75 | 8,239,083.77 | 20.2% |
| Total | $280,328,756.64 | $42,908,984.96 | 15.3% |
Below is a breakdown of the Arkansas Lottery’s spending on prizes for the fiscal year.
| Month | Gross Lottery Revenue | Prizes | % Going to Prizes |
| July | $41,239,173.79 | $27,395,174.44 | 66.4% |
| August | 40,899,086.75 | 27,981,278.90 | 68.4% |
| September | 36,202,677.79 | 25,380,100.69 | 70.1% |
| October | 38,932,640.23 | 26,836,578.14 | 68.9% |
| November | 36,118,641.12 | 24,593,530.95 | 68.1% |
| December | 46,134,469.21 | 32,772,295.09 | 71.0% |
| January, 2020 | 40,802,067.75 | 27,636,240.24 | 67.7% |
| Total | $280,328,756.64 | $192,595,198.45 | 68.7% |
