TALLAHASSEE – For the first time ever, the Florida Lottery
topped $5 billion in sales during a fiscal year, the Miami Herald reports.
For the fiscal year that ended June 30, sales increased more
than $500 million from the year prior, when sales were $4.45 billion. In the
last two fiscal years, the Florida Lottery has increased sales by $1 billion.
"The Lottery's sole mission is to sell tickets to
generate additional funding for education," Florida Lottery Secretary
Cynthia O'Connell said in a news release. "We are extremely proud to be
able to transfer this unprecedented amount to the Education Enhancement Trust
Fund this year."
Gov. Rick Scott said that the increased revenue means more
money for Florida's education system.
"The Lottery's education investments build on our
success last session to increase state education investments by more than $1
billion and provide teachers with a well-deserved pay raise.”