Lincoln, NE – October 3, 2025 – Sales from a record Powerball® jackpot run contributed to $14 million in proceeds transferred this week to the Nebraska Lottery’s beneficiary funds.
The Nebraska Lottery recently distributed among its beneficiaries $14,014,624, derived from a share of Scratch and Lotto ticket sales for the previous three months. This is the sixth largest quarterly transfer since the Lottery started in 1993, bringing the overall amount of proceeds transferred to $1,051,303,358.
The latest transfer, made the week of October 3, was distributed among beneficiaries in the following manner:
Education as directed by the Legislature, $6,014,008;
Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, $6,014,008;
Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund, $1,351,462;
Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, $635,146.
One significant factor in the transfer amount was a Powerball jackpot run that started June 1. The jackpot reached $1.787 billion before being won on September 6. Sales of Powerball tickets in Nebraska during the run accounted for an estimated $3.9 million in proceeds for lottery beneficiaries.
“It’s said a rising tide lifts all boats. Powerball is obviously very popular, and the interest generated by a large jackpot has a positive impact on beneficiary programs supported by the sales of all Nebraska Lottery products,” noted Nebraska Lottery Director Brian Rockey.
Amendment 4 passed by Nebraska voters in November of 2004 established the following distribution formula: Education as directed by the Legislature (44.5 percent); Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund (44.5 percent); Nebraska State Fair (10 percent); and the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund (1 percent, plus the first $500,000 in fund proceeds each fiscal year).
The funds' respective totals to date are:
Education as directed by the Legislature, $26,127,380
Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, $452,007,758;
Nebraska State Fair Support and Improvement Fund, $82,032,813;
Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, $23,333,037.
Prior to July 1, 2024, the Nebraska Education Improvement Fund received proceeds totaling $169,189,056.
Prior to July 1, 2016, the Education Innovation Fund received proceeds totaling $174,222,842, and the Nebraska Opportunity Grant Fund received proceeds totaling $100,929,476.
Prior to July 1, 1997, the Solid Waste Landfill Closure Assistance Fund received proceeds totaling $18,460,996. In 2004, the Legislature directed that a one-time transfer of $5 million be made to the State General Fund.
Criteria for proceeds distribution are established by the beneficiary funds in accordance with legislative mandates. Every county in Nebraska has received service through grants funded with Nebraska Lottery proceeds.
The Nebraska Lottery marked $1 billion in beneficiary transfers (since 1993) in September 2024.
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Top 10 Quarterly Transfers to Nebraska Lottery Beneficiaries:
1.December 2022 $15,817,263
2.September 2023 $15,482,624
3.March 2021 $15,201,537
4.March 2023 $14,679,553
5.March 2016 $14,484,483
6.September 2025 $14,014,624
7.December 2018 $13,866,351
8.March 2024$13,525,644
9.December 2023 $13,419,326
10.March 2022 $13,113,767