Georgia Lottery: $1.54B profit breaks education records

July 19, 2026 - 10:56

The Georgia Lottery has posted a historic profit for education, raising more than $1.54 billion during the 2026 fiscal year. That figure, exactly $1,540,868,000, represents the highest single-year contribution to state education programs since the lottery began operations in 1993.

Lottery officials said the record-breaking haul came from strong ticket sales across all game categories, including scratch-offs, Powerball, and Mega Millions. The money flows into the state's HOPE Scholarship program and pre-kindergarten initiatives, which have helped millions of Georgia students attend college or get an early start in the classroom.

The previous record was set just last year, when the lottery contributed roughly $1.52 billion. The steady growth reflects both higher jackpot interest and a larger population of players. Critics sometimes point out that lottery profits rely heavily on lower-income buyers, but supporters argue the funds provide essential education support without raising taxes.

For the 2026 fiscal year, the lottery also reported total sales of over $6.8 billion, with the remainder going to prizes, retailer commissions, and operating costs. The state's pre-K program currently serves about 84,000 four-year-olds, while the HOPE Scholarship has covered tuition for more than 2 million students since its inception.

Georgia lawmakers have not announced any major changes to how the money will be allocated, but the new record gives them more room to expand programs or shore up existing ones. Lottery officials expect continued strong performance in the coming year.