REDDING, Calif. — Lottery ticket sales are surging across the country, with California leading the way — bringing in billions of dollars each year, a portion of which goes to public education.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, lottery ticket sales doubled nationwide from $52.8 billion in 2008 to $104.7 billion in 2024. Over the same period, jackpots rose 118%.
Not every dollar spent on a ticket goes into a jackpot. Lottery revenue is largely distributed among prizes and state programs, and in California, public education is a major beneficiary.
California generated more than $9 billion in lottery ticket sales in 2024, the most in the nation. At the local level, that funding can translate into direct support for schools. In Shasta County, more than $1.8 million in lottery funds went directly to schools last year.
The California Lottery distributes education funding based on student attendance and enrollment, meaning the more students in class, the more funding schools receive.
Even with rising jackpots and increased participation, lottery funding represents only a small portion of overall school funding.
Still, as more people buy tickets, the financial impact extends beyond jackpot winners to programs supported by lottery revenue.
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