Final audit figures for the 2023-2024 fiscal year confirm the California Lottery has much to celebrate as it begins its 40th year of providing supplemental funding to California’s public education system. Total sales once again exceeded $9 billion, resulting in contributions of more than $2.287 billion for public education programs statewide, from kindergarten to the community college, California State University, and University of California systems. This marks the third consecutive year the California Lottery has been able to generate over $2 billion to public schools across the state.
“As we celebrate our 40th year of the California Lottery, I want to thank our players, retail partners, and employees for their decades-long commitment to our mission,” California Lottery Director Harjinder K. Shergill Chima said. “It is that commitment to providing supplemental funding to California public education that sustains our work across the state and allows us to perform year after year for all of California.”
Since the first games went on sale in 1985, the California Lottery has provided more than $46 billion in supplemental funding for public education programs. Those funds enhance student education by providing support for programs and services students might not otherwise have access to. Examples of California Lottery-funded programs include equipment for Fresno’s Career Technical Education Charter High School, where students pursue career pathways in manufacturing and construction, and the architectural program at Glendale City College, where Lottery money helps reduce material fees for students.
The funds raised by the California Lottery are largely discretionary, so local school budget decision-makers decide how best to spend them. Lottery funding is also modest when compared to the entirety of the California State education budget.
The California Lottery is a self-sustaining state organization funded entirely by revenue generated by the responsible sale of games. To see how California Lottery funds are disbursed, an interactive map is available on the California Lottery website at calottery.com/who-benefits, and there are video examples available on the official California Lottery YouTube channel.
