NC lottery reports record sales, $1+ billion raised for schools

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Gamblers across North Carolina are raising more money for education and public schools than ever before.

This comes as the North Carolina Education Lottery reports record gains.

“Yet again, we’ve been able to report that we, again, for a second year in a row raised more than a billion dollars for education in the state, slightly beating what we raised last year,” said Adam Owens, communications manager of the North Carolina Education Lottery.

In fiscal year 2024, the North Carolina lottery reports sales of $5.4 billion with over $1 billion raised for education, and this excludes sports gambling.

Players have been utilizing new ways to play digitally.

🎰 Winning numbers from the latest NC Education Lottery drawing

“Obviously, a lot of retail has gone online, people use their phone a lot more to make purchases,” Owens said.

The lottery said more than $500 million is going to help build and repair public schools.

Funding recently went to districts as close as Wake and Wilson counties.

“It really is making a difference,” Owens said. “We’re working to raise as much money as possible for education.”

The lottery also exceeded its goal in 2024 by over $150 million.

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