The Michigan Lottery made a record-shattering $1.419 billion contribution to the School Aid Fund in fiscal year 2021.
It’s more than $240 million above the 2020 contribution, which was the previous record. The lottery has contributed more than $1 billion to the fund in each of the past three years.
Michigan Lottery Continues Record Contributions
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the contribution Monday. It’s the seventh straight year the Michigan lotto has made a record contribution to the School Aid Fund.
Under state law, all profits from the lottery go to the School Aid Fund.
“When Michiganders play to win, our students and schools win too,” Whitmer said in a release. “The Michigan Lottery’s record contribution to the School Aid Fund helps us keep kids safe and learning in-person, delivers critical funding to support K-12 programs, and ensures every family has access to a high-quality, public education. The Lottery’s record-setting performance over the last seven years has helped us put Michigan students first. Together, we have closed the funding gap between schools, raised per-student funding, and improved school facilities, all without raising taxes. I am grateful to everyone who has made this substantial investment in our kids possible.”
The record-breaking contributions began in 2015, with $795.5 million. This year’s $1.419 billion is nearly double that initial record.
Lottery contributions to the School Aid Fund over the prior six years were:
- 2020: $1.179 billion
- 2019: $1.070 billion
- 2018: $941.2 million
- 2017: $924.1 million
- 2016: $888.9 million
- 2015: $795.5 million
The Michigan Lottery has raised more than $26 billion for public education since 1972, more than a quarter of which ($7.2 billion) has been raised in the past seven years.
Michigan Lottery has record year overall
The record contribution was thanks to a record year all-around for the Michigan Lottery, as retailers received a record $370.9 million in commissions in fiscal year 2021.
There were more than $5 billion sales and $3.1 billion in prizes to players during the year, which are also records. The record numbers were driven by instant games, a $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot and the lottery’s Internet platform, according to the release.
More than 10,000 locations in Michigan sell lottery products, and 925 retailers sold $1 million or more in lottery games.
“Lottery purchases help support Michigan schools and businesses,” Lottery Commissioner Brian O. Neill said. “These incredible results would not be possible without our players, retailers, vendors, the dedicated team at Lottery, and support across state government.”
