Schools big winners in Idaho Lottery
If you played Powerball last year, bought a scratch ticket, a pulltab, or played any of the dozens of games offered by the Idaho Lottery, you were not only buying the chance to win a few dollars, you were also helping Idaho schools.
Even if you weren’t a big winner when you played your regular lucky numbers last week, or when you purchased a few scratch tickets to stuff into Christmas stockings, some of the money you spent will benefit your community.
In July of each year, the Idaho Lottery distributes the dividend fund, nearly one-quarter of every lottery dollar spent, between Idaho public schools and the Permanent Building Fund, which is used to fund building projects at Idaho’s colleges and universities. That amounts to a lot of money.
In 2007, the Idaho Lottery transferred a record $34 million to maintain and care for the state’s buildings and support schools; and since it began in 1989, the lottery has contributed $367.6 million back to the community. These funds allow schools to spend fewer education dollars on renovations, land acquisition and additions, and more in the classroom where there is also great need.
So, all of us who played the lottery last year helped Idaho schools receive $17 million in lottery funding. These funds were distributed among 115 school districts and 29 charter schools, based on number of enrolled students and average daily attendance. Kootenai County schools received $1,439,754 in 2007, and have received nearly $12 million since the lottery began in 1990. Lakeland School District received $323,236 in funding in 2007, and has received more than $2.5 million since the lottery began. Post Falls School District received $376,948 in 2007, having received just under $3 million in lottery funding throughout the years.
Lottery dollars also accounted for 37 percent of the states Permanent Building Fund in 2007 helping to complete 125 building projects. North Idaho College used 2007 lottery funding to install path lighting outside Schuler Auditorium and to install voice over Internet protocol technology used to transmit voice, such as ordinary telephone calls, over data networks.
Knowing the money benefits the community in some way helps alleviate the pain of loss a little, when we don’t win those big jackpots, but most of us purchase those tickets dreaming of the big win – and lottery officials know this. They spend tons of money trying to attract our dollars with huge advertising campaigns, flashy game names, top of the line graphics and designs, big prizes and lots of ways to win.
They regularly promote new, exciting games that offer us instant gratification with pulltabs and scratch games; or the chance to dream big while waiting for the two Powerball drawings each week. They entice us with games like Family Feud, Super Naughty or Nice, Chips andSalsa or Set for Life. They tempt us to try Heroes of America, Wild Double Cross, or Shake, Rattle and Dough.
In an attempt to interest players in stepping up their game, they recently introduced “The Works.” Just ask the clerk for “The Works” and 4 tickets are automatically dispensed, including a $2 Powerball/Powerplay ticket, a $1 Hot Lotto ticket, a $1 Pick 3 ticket and a $1 Wild Card ticket. It’s advertised as a quick and easy way to play four lotto games and makes you sound like a pro while standing in line – “Just give me The Works.”
No matter how exciting the game, however, the fact remains that most of us are losers. Like me, most didn’t purchase the $600,000 winning ticket at Super One in Rathdrum a couple of weeks ago, and we didn’t win the $1 Million Raffle on New Year’s Eve. But, hey, it’s not all bad. Just take a look at the new addition at Lakeland High School or the new lights outside Schuler Auditorium on the NIC campus, and, like me, you’ll feel a little better.
Oh, and about those worries that playing the lottery can lead to addictive gambling behavior, don’t worry about it. According to research conducted for the Idaho Lottery folks, the majority of people who buy lottery tickets can afford them, and these types of games do not lead to addiction – all good news for Idaho schools.
For more information on the Idaho Lottery, check out itsWeb site at www.idaholottery.com. You can check your tickets at any recognized retailer, or call the Winning Numbers line at 334-4656. Good luck and let’s support those schools.