Mega Millions jackpot passes $1 billion. Here's a look at where the prize money comes from
No ticket won the grand prize in Friday's Mega Millions drawing, so the jackpot continues to climb. It is now worth an estimated $1.1 billion with a cash value of $576.8 million.
But, where does lottery prize money come from?
The simple answer is that the jackpot comes from ticket sales. But here's a breakdown of those sales and how much they contribute to the overall prize pool.
How much of the jackpot is from lottery revenue?
According to Smart Asset, approximately 60% of the revenue from state lotteries goes to winners. States keep the remaining cash after distributing prize money and paying operational and advertisement costs.
For large multistate lotteries, such as Mega Millions or Powerball, 50% of ticket revenue goes toward the lottery’s prize pool. The other 50% goes to participating states, a Mega Millions spokesperson told ABC News in 2018.
What do states do with their shares?
Each state gets to decide how to use the remaining revenue it receives through the lottery. Several states use a percentage of the income to address gambling addiction, while others put it in a general fund for potential budget shortfalls.
Many states also use the remaining funds to support the educational system.
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In 2021, Ohio's traditional lottery sales hit $4.3 billion. The state sent $1.36 billion to the Lottery Profits Education Fund, which supports K-12, vocational and special education programs in the state.
Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia also spend a portion of lottery revenue on education, as well as programs that benefit senior citizens, tourism, infrastructure, first responders and more.
How much money goes to lottery retailers?
Lottery retailers collect commissions on the tickets they sell, according to the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries.
These commissions vary but typically range from 5% to 8%, depending on the product sold. Retailers may also receive awards or bonuses for cashing winning tickets.
You can buy a Mega Millions ticket at gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.
Mega Millions drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays, with ticket sales ending at 10:45 p.m. Eastern Time.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mega Millions: Where does the jackpot money come from? Here's a look
