GREENSBORO, N.C. — Anytime jackpots skyrocket, viewers start asking us: how much of the lottery money actually goes to fund schools. According to the state, for every $2 spent on a ticket through the North Carolina Educational Lottery, about $0.60 will end up going to schools. Most of the money you pay for the ticket goes to pay out prizes. And less than 1 percent of the purchase price goes to pay salaries and benefits of lottery staff. After those costs, the money left over goes to schools. Still when you think about how many tickets are being bought it translates into millions for area schools.
Across North Carolina last year, the lottery raised $929 million for education. That's almost tripled since 2007.
Under the guidance of the North Carolina General Assembly, about half of the lottery money goes to school construction. And more than a third is used to pay school staff.
Guilford County alone received $33 million last year. Most of their money went to pay staff, but it all covered the preschool costs for 896 kids last year.
MORE WAYS TO GET WFMY NEWS 2
Subscribe to our daily newsletter Let’s Get 2 It!
Download the WFMY News 2 APP from your Apple or Google Play store.
ADD THE WFMY+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WFMY.
Amazon Fire TV: Search for WFMY to find the free app to add to your account. You can also add the app directly to your Fire TV through your Amazon account.