TALLAHASSEE -The Florida Lottery announced another record - $1 billion in contributions to education for the 15th consecutive year. Additionally, the Lottery reached the $1 billion mark for this fiscal year earlier than any other year in Florida Lottery history. This brings the Lottery's life-to-date education contributions to more than $31 billion.

"This milestone would not have been possible without the support of our loyal players, dedicated retailers and hardworking Lottery staff," said Florida Lottery Secretary Tom Delacenserie. "The Lottery will continue working hard every day to advance our mission of maximizing contributions to education in a manner that is consistent with the dignity and integrity of the state."

Over the past 29 years, the Florida Lottery has established itself as a dependable funding source for public education. For 15 consecutive years the Lottery has transferred more than $1 billion to education, while remaining one of the most efficient lotteries in the nation. Additionally, the Lottery has contributed more than $5 billion to the Bright Futures Scholarship Program to send over 750,000 students to college.

Florida Lottery contributions represent approximately six percent of the state's total education budget. Lottery funds are appropriated by the Florida Legislature and are administered by the Florida Department of Education.

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ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY

The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $31 billion to education and sending more than 750,000 students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 98 percent of its revenue back into Florida's economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,000 Florida retailers and transfers to education. Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have paid more than $52.4 billion in prizes and made more than 1,900 people millionaires. For more information, please visit www.flalottery.com.