Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Review of the Florida Lottery, 2016

Report 17-01, January 2017




Report Summary

Lottery transfers to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund increased in Fiscal Year 2015-16 to $1.693 billion, or $196 million more than the prior year. This increase is due to a combination of factors including increased sales associated with a record-setting Powerball jackpot and continued scratch-off sales growth.

Several additional game and product distribution options are available to further increase transfers to education. However, some of these options could represent expanded gambling.

The Lottery continues to outperform the legislative performance standard for its operating expense rate and has an expense rate that is second lowest in the nation.

The Lottery should continue its ongoing efforts to

  • expand the retailer network;
  • improve its data analysis and reporting capabilities for identifying and investigating potential ticket theft or brokering by retailers; and
  • increase the number of retailer locations with ticket self-checkers and provide a ticket scanning function in its mobile app so that players can more easily determine for themselves whether a ticket is a winner.


Related Reports
  1. Review of the Florida Lottery, 2019
    Report 20-03 January 2020
  2. Review of the Florida Lottery, 2018
    Report 19-03 February 2019
  3. Review of the Florida Lottery, 2017
    Report 18-01 January 2018
  4. Lottery Sales Have Increased; Transfers to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund Remain Stable
    Report 16-01 January 2016
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
gambling, gaming, gaming compact, keno, casino, transfers, Educational Enhancement Trust Fund, emergency rule, retailer integrity, retailer incentives,