In 1985, voters decided a little play should make a student’s day.
Forty years ago this month, in October, 1985, Californians scratched their way into history with the launch of the first California Lottery game. At 12:30 p.m. that first day, Oct. 3, 400 million California Jackpot Instant Lottery games went on sale. Fast forward four decades, and that “little play” has added up to over $48 billion in supplemental funding for California’s public schools – a total cumulative figure the Lottery unveiled in observance of its 40th anniversary.
“For 40 years, the California Lottery has been more than just fun and games – we’ve been a partner in education and a force for good in communities across our state,” said Harjinder K. Shergill Chima, Director of the California Lottery. “We’re proud of the more than $48 billion we’ve raised for California’s public schools and the positive ripple effects that funding has had on students, families, and educators. Our commitment to innovation, integrity, and impact remains as strong as ever.”
From volleyball programs to vocational training, California Lottery funds help schools offer more than they otherwise would. In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the Lottery provided more than $1.9 billion to public education, supporting K-12, community colleges, the UC and CSU systems, and more. This past fiscal year marks a quarter-century of delivering over $1 billion annually to the state’s public schools. Districts use these funds to support critical programs, purchase materials, support career technical training, and more. For after-school programs, sports equipment, and gear for firefighting academies, these funds support students in unique and innovative ways directed by local school districts and budget decision-makers.
A pie chart titled “California Lottery Revenue” shows how lottery funds are distributed. The largest section represents 66 percent for Prizes, along with a section of 22 percent for Public Education. Another section shows nine percent for Retailer Compensation and Gaming Costs. And the smallest section represents three percent for Other Administrative Costs.
As was written in the language of the ballot proposition that created this self-funded state agency, the sole purpose of the California Lottery is to provide extra money for California public schools. In the process, the Lottery returns approximately 95 percent of the revenue it generates back to the community in the form of prize payments, allocations to education, and retailer compensation. It does so in a responsible, transparent, and publicly documented way. In 2015, the California Lottery was the first lottery in the nation to be certified by the World Lottery Association (WLA) at the highest level for its commitment to responsible gaming and is one of only three U.S. Lotteries to hold a WLA Security Control Standard level 2 certification, having done so since 2014. Additionally, the California Lottery has been nationally recognized multiple times by the Government Finance Officers Association for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Outstanding Achievement in Popular Financial Reporting, and was recently given the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Together, these honors underscore the Lottery’s dedication to operating with transparency and accountability.
Since 1985, the California Lottery has helped turn spare change into lasting change for students across the state. As it celebrates 40 years of impact, the Lottery continues to support education with purpose, transparency, and pride – one ticket at a time. To see more about the California Lottery mission and where the money raised is directed, quarterly financial reporting and audited annual reports are found on the official California Lottery website at calottery.com/who-benefits.
