How the North Carolina Lottery Has Helped Fund Education Across the State

The North Carolina Education Lottery has done much more than create jackpot winners. Since it launched, the lottery has generated more than $12 billion to support schools, scholarships, and education programs across the state.

The journey began on August 31, 2005, when the North Carolina State Lottery Act became law. About seven months later, the first scratch-off tickets hit store shelves. Just two months after that, Powerball joined the lineup. The lottery grew quickly, reaching an impressive milestone by raising $1 billion for education within its first two years.

Pitt County has also seen major benefits from lottery funding. In 2015, the county received $10,706,994 to improve local education.

Here's how that money was used:

• More than $6 million supported teachers and other school staff.
• Over $2 million funded school construction, renovations, and repairs.
• More than $1 million provided college scholarships for students.
• Just over $1 million helped fund the North Carolina Pre-K program, preparing at-risk four-year-olds for kindergarten.
• $311,339 covered school transportation costs.

These investments show how lottery proceeds have helped strengthen classrooms, improve school facilities, support educators, and create more opportunities for students throughout North Carolina.