CLEVELAND (AP) — Ohio lottery players might find some consolation in knowing their ticket purchases are benefiting education in the Buckeye State. The Ohio Lottery announced a $1.447 billion contribution to the Lottery Profits Education Fund for fiscal year 2025, supporting K-12, vocational, and special education programs.
The commission expressed gratitude to “enthusiastic players” for making this transfer possible. Since 1974, the lottery has contributed over $33 billion to education.
Despite $4.38 billion in traditional lottery sales for FY 2025, Ohio Lottery Director Michelle Gillcrist noted the year faced challenges. Competition from new gambling products and the absence of multi-state jackpot runs, which previously boosted sales, were significant hurdles. However, sales rebounded in the latter half of the year, allowing the lottery to exceed its education budget commitment by $7.7 million.
Sales for multi-state draw games, including Powerball and Mega Millions, were particularly soft, attributed partly to fewer record jackpots. Changes to Mega Millions in April, such as a price increase from $2 to $5 and improved odds, were not specifically blamed for the decline. Sales for the multi-state Lucky for Life game decreased by 40% from FY 2024.
Overall, Ohio Lottery players won nearly $3 billion in prizes, with 30 new millionaires created, including a $112 million Mega Millions jackpot winner. Nearly 70 players won $500,000 prizes. Retail outlets received $286.9 million in bonuses, incentives, and commissions.
The most popular purchase was the $10 scratch-off ticket, with $552.3 million in sales, contributing to a record $2.43 billion in scratch-off sales, a $46 million increase over previous years.
Pick 5 led daily draw games with a $2.8 million increase over prior years, totaling $747.5 million spent on Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5 games. Players spent $77.9 million on in-state draw games Classic Lotto and Rolling Cash 5, driven by higher jackpots in FY 2025.
Video lottery terminals generated $1.39 billion in sales, resulting in $457.8 million in profits. The lottery’s revenue from Lottery Sports Gaming was $415,822.
The lottery noted that these figures are preliminary and unaudited, with audited figures expected in October.
