South Carolina lottery brought in $592 million for education last fiscal year

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD)- Record-setting jackpots helped South Carolina haul in hundreds of millions of dollars for education over the past year, according to figures released Wednesday by state lottery officials.

Officials said the lottery generated $592 million for Fiscal Year 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year revenue has topped half a billion dollars.

“I am incredibly pleased that the Lottery is making a significant contribution to education for the upcoming year,” said Executive Director Dolly Garfield. “Our streak of $500 million plus transfers to the Education Lottery Account is a testament to the commitment of our entire lottery team, hardworking retailers, loyal players and the Lottery Board of Commissioners.”

State law requires that all lottery proceeds are pooled and distributed to “support improvements and enhancements for education purposes and programs as provided by the General Assembly.”

Since its inception in 2002, the lottery has brought in roughly $8.3 billion. Of that, more than $7.1 billion has been appropriated for higher education programs, including scholarships and grants, and about $1.1 billion has supported statewide K-12 education programs.

According to officials, the addition of a rolling jackpot in the Palmetto Cash 5 game as well as five multi-state billion-dollar jackpots contributed to the year-end figure.

“On behalf of the Board, we are proud of the Lottery’s continued success,” Chairman of the SC Lottery Commission, Sam Litchfield, said. “These funds will guarantee that South Carolina is a great place to earn an education, live and work.”

Lottery players also cashed in big last year, winning more than $1.6 billion in prize money.

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