Idaho lottery delivers record dividends

The Idaho Lottery Commission delivered a dividend check to Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter for $53.5 million Tuesday. The dividend is $5 million higher than last year and represents the single most successful sales year in Idaho Lottery history.

For the seventh consecutive year, lottery sales increase, eclipsing the $250 million single-year mark for the first time. The $265 million sales record is 10 percent higher than last year.

“Today’s dividend announcement, and this past year’s achievements are the result of great work from a devoted team of professionals at the Idaho Lottery,” said Jeff Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. “Our success is made possible by the continued support from our players and the collaborative partnership of our valued retailers, 1,200 brick and mortar establishments who sell our products every day of the year.”

The lottery presented Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra a check for $33,437,000 as public education’s share. Of that, over $20 million is earmarked for use by public school districts and remaining $12 million goes to the department’s Bond Levy Equalization Fund. Since its inception, the lottery has contributed $466.5 million to those public education accounts.

Governor Otter and Lottery Commission Chairman Mel Fisher also presented a record dividend check for $20,062,500 to the Department of Administration’s Permanent Building Fund Advisory Council Chairman Dee Jameson. This is the single largest dividend provided to the Permanent Building Fund in Idaho Lottery history.