COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Lottery posts on its website: “One hundred percent of Ohio Lottery profits help support K-12, vocational, and special education programs in Ohio. Since 1974, the Ohio Lottery has provided more than $31 billion to Ohio’s education programs.” The Ohio Lottery announced record-breaking sales and profits for Fiscal Year 2024 and the highest-ever transfer of funds to education in Ohio. The Ohio Lottery announced record-breaking sales and profits for Fiscal Year 2024, transferring a historic $1.51 billion to the Lottery Profits Education Fund, which supports K-12, vocational, and special education programs across the state, according to its website. This marks an increase of nearly $50 million over the previous year and brings the total contribution to Ohio’s education programs since 1974 to over $31 billion.
Despite the record profit, not all funds are immediately allocated to schools. The Ohio Lottery deposits its earnings into the fund, with the Ohio General Assembly and Department of Education determining the distribution. In 2024, the state budgeted $17.1 billion for schools statewide, with only about $1.5 billion—roughly 12%—sourced from lottery profits. The Department of Education confirms that the annual budget remains fixed regardless of lottery jackpot fluctuations, meaning schools don’t see immediate revenue increases even when jackpots soar. Excess profits, however, provide the General Assembly with additional funds to allocate in future budgets.
Amid discussions of the current state budget, Senator Renolds who spoke in Pickaway County last week expressed optimism that last year’s exceptional lottery performance could lead to increased funding for schools this year. This comes as some districts, like Teays Valley and Logan Elm, faced failed levies, heightening the need for state support. While Mega Millions jackpots, shared among over 40 participating states, generate buzz, Ohio retains only the proceeds from in-state ticket sales, a detail some residents overlook.
