CA Lottery Home

Play Responsibly About Us Media Vendors Retailers Español

Public Education Always Wins
Through annual supplemental funding, the California Lottery works to provide more opportunities for California’s students.
See how the Lottery is making a difference »
Giving Back Always Wins

The Mission of the California Lottery

The California Lottery Provides Supplemental Funding for Education

In 1984, Proposition 37 amended the California Constitution to authorize the establishment of a statewide lottery. As an initiative statute, the California State Lottery Act of 1984 created the California State Lottery Commission and gave it broad powers to oversee the operations of a statewide lottery. The purpose of the Lottery Act was to provide supplemental monies to benefit public education without the imposition of additional or increased taxes. The Lottery is administered by a five-person Commission appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate.

The Lottery Act initially required that 50 percent of total annual revenues be returned to the public in the form of prizes and at least 34 percent of total revenues be allocated to the benefit of public education. No more than 16 percent of total revenues were to be used for administrative costs.

In 2010, the Lottery Act was changed to allow the Lottery flexibility to pay out more money in prizes and reduce the administrative cost limit to 13 percent of total revenues. Along with that flexibility, the new law required the Lottery to meet minimum levels of contribution to public education. Revenues to education are placed in a special fund, known as the California State Lottery Education Fund, which holds revenues until they are allocated on a per capita basis, using prior year certified Average Daily Attendance data, to the following categories: K-12 education, Community Colleges, the California State University, the University of California, and other educational entities.

In the 27 years since sales began in October 1985 through June 30, 2012, the California State Lottery has raised more than $25 billion for public education, including $1.32 billion in Fiscal Year 2011-2012.

Read More »

Lottery Funds at Work

The buck doesn’t stop here. Part of every dollar you play goes to California’s students.

See how schools use the money »

How Much Money?

Thanks to our players over $1 billion in Lottery funds goes to supporting California public schools every year. See how much went to schools in your district.

Search

Partnering in Education

With the help of our partners, we’re able to help provide students with new materials, equipment and educational experiences.

Read up on our partners »