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

Department of the Lottery

For assistance, call 850-487-7787 or visit https://flalottery.com/

What is the purpose of the Lottery?

The Florida Lottery was created to allow the people of the state to benefit from significant additional moneys for education while playing lottery games. The mission of the Florida Lottery is to maximize revenues in a manner consistent with the dignity of the state and the welfare of its citizens. 

How does the Lottery operate?

The Lottery is headquartered in Tallahassee and has nine district offices located throughout the state. The district offices provide prize payment services as well as sales and marketing support to more than 13,000 retail locations including supermarkets, convenience stores, and gas stations. The Lottery sells a variety of scratch-off games and draw games. Draw games, also known as terminal games, are game tickets printed by terminals connected to the Lottery's gaming system for a drawing at a later time.

How are vending machines used to distribute Lottery products?

Florida statutes provide for the use of vending machines to dispense terminal and/or instant Lottery tickets. Each year, the Legislature specifies in the General Appropriations Act the maximum number of vending machines the department is authorized to have. In 2022, the Legislature authorized the Lottery to have up to 3,000 full-service vending machines with functionality to sell both terminal tickets and instant tickets. In order to be authorized to sell tickets using a vending machine, s. 24.112, Florida Statutes, requires that the machine must be in the line of sight of at least one retailer employee to ensure that purchases are only made by persons at least 18 years of age.

How are winning tickets redeemed?

Winning tickets of less than $600 may be redeemed at any Lottery retailer. To redeem a prize of $600 or more, the prizewinner must complete a winner claim form. Prizes from $600 up to $1,000,000 can be claimed in-person or by appointment at any Lottery District Office. For prizes of $1 million and above and prizes with annual payment options, the winner can claim the prize in-person at Lottery Headquarters. Winning tickets valued at $1 million or more with an annual payment option can also be submitted to a district office, which will forward the claim to Lottery Headquarters for processing and payment. All Florida MEGA MILLIONS, POWERBALL, CASH4LIFE, and Fast Play prizes must be claimed in Florida.

What is the Retailer Integrity Program?

The Lottery developed a Retailer Integrity Program that includes Lottery staff visiting and testing Lottery retailers using winning Lottery tickets to ensure the retailers are properly paying prizes to players for winning Lottery tickets, and are compliant with Lottery retailer rules and procedures. In these operations, retailers are selected for visits both at random and also based upon complaints from players. When tickets were not correctly processed for payment and an attempt was made to steal a player's winnings, store personnel have been arrested and the retailers' contracts have been suspended and/or terminated. The Lottery also investigates complaints received from players in an effort to ensure the integrity and fairness of the operation of the Lottery and with players' interactions with Lottery retailers. Information regarding criminal activity that is discovered or received by the Lottery is either acted upon the by the Lottery or forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency. 

How are Lottery revenues distributed?

Gross revenues from the sale of lottery products are distributed to prizes, Lottery expenses, and transfer to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. Pursuant to s. 24.121(1), Florida Statutes, the Lottery determines the variable percentage of the gross revenue from the sale of draw and scratch-off tickets that is returned to the public in the form of prizes in a manner designed to maximize the amount of revenue earned to enhance education. Gross sales revenue also is used to pay the expenses associated with running the Lottery, including the cost of its retailer network, draw and scratch-off game vendors, advertising vendors, and its in-house operation. The remainder of gross sales revenue is transferred to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. 

How much revenue is generated for educational enhancement?

In Fiscal Year 2021-22, lottery sales increased to $9.325 billion compared to the prior year's sales of $9.076 billion (an increase of $248 million, or 2.74%). In addition, Lottery transfers to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) increased compared to the prior year. Lottery transfers for Fiscal Year 2021-22 were $2.33 billion, $97 million (4%) more than the prior year. This increase is primarily due to an increase in sales as well as an increase in transfers related to unclaimed prizes. Total transfers to the EETF for Fiscal Year 2021-22 exceeded the legislative standard of $2.033 billion. 

How are educational enhancement funds used?

For Fiscal Year 2022-23, the Florida Legislature appropriated $3.2 billion in Educational Enhancement Trust Funds to benefit Florida's schools and students.

The largest portion of Educational Enhancement Trust Funds, 47% ($1.474 billion), was appropriated to Florida's school districts. The $1.474 billion included $120 million for school construction, $104 million in operating funds to reduce class size, $1.103 million for the Florida Educational Finance Program, and $148 million for school district workforce education programs.

The Legislature also appropriated 19% ($591 million) to Bright Futures Scholarships, 31% ($973 million) to state universities and colleges, and 4% ($118 million) to student financial aid. 

How do the Florida Lottery's operating expenses and sales compare to those of other U.S. Lotteries?

Compared to other U.S. lotteries, the Florida Lottery had the third lowest operating expense rate in Fiscal Year 2021-22, behind West Virginia and Massachusetts. 

How are these activities funded?

The Lottery is self-supporting and receives no general revenue. Prizes and retailer commissions are paid directly from sales revenues and do not appear in the department's appropriation shown below. In Fiscal Year 2021-22, prizes totaled $6.245 billion and retailer commissions totaled $523.1 million. 

Fiscal Year: 2023-24
Fund Dollars Positions
LOTTERY, DEPARTMENT OF THE
PROGRAM: LOTTERY OPERATIONS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES
13,286,156
56.50
LOTTERY GAMES AND OPERATIONS
216,989,431
368.00
TOTAL
230,275,587
424.50

Updates

CASH POP. In January 2022, the department replaced its Fast Play games with a new draw game, CASH POP. Between January 3, 2022 and December 31, 2022, CASH POP sales were $99.02 million. Annual sales of CASH POP were roughly $77 million more than Fast Play games during calendar year 2021.

Retailer Sales Commission. For Fiscal Year 2022-23, the Legislature increased the retailer sales commission rate from 5% to 5.75% and eliminated the 1% retailer cashing commission. For Fiscal year 2023-24, Ch. 2023-240, Laws of Florida, increases the retailer sales commission to 6%. On July 1, 2024, this change governing retailer sales commission will revert to 5.75%, unless legislation amending the reversion is enacted.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
2022-23 Education Appropriations - Funded by the Educational Enhancement (Lottery) Trust Fund, Department of Education, February 2023
2021-22 Education Appropriations - Funded by the Educational Enhancement (Lottery) Trust Fund, Department of Education, May 2022
Department of the Lottery - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Financial Audit - For Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, Auditor General Report 2023-109, January 2023
Department of the Lottery - Games Administration and Selective Administrative Activities - Operational Audit
, Auditor General Report 2023-001, July 2022
Department of the Lottery - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Financial Audit - For Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
, Auditor General Report 2022-106, January 2022
Department of the
Lottery - Office of Inspector General's Internal Audit Activity - For the Review Period July 2020 Through June 2021 - Quality Assessment Review, Auditor General Report 2022-024, October 2021
Department of the Lottery - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Financial Audit - For Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, Auditor General Report 
2021-088, December 2020
Department of the Lottery - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Financial Audit - For Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018
, Auditor General Report 2020-086, December 2019
Department of the Lottery - Advertising and Sponsorship and Selected Administrative Activities - Operational Audit, Auditor General Report 2020-011, August 2019

Department of the Lottery - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Financial Audit - For Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, Auditor General Report 2019-090, December 2018

Department of the Lottery - Office of Inspector General's Internal Audit Activity - For the Review Period July 2017 Through June 2018 - Quality Assessment Review, Auditor General Report 2019-032, October 2018
Department of the Lottery - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Financial Audit - For Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, Auditor General Report 2018-078, December 2017
Department of the Lottery - For Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 - Financial Audit, Auditor General Report 2017-103, January 2017
Department of the Lottery - Selected Administrative Activities and Prior Audit Follow-Up - Operational Audit, Auditor General Report 2017-019, September 2016
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website

Websites of Interest
Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling
La Fleur's
Multi-State Lottery Association
National Council of Legislators from Gaming States
North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries

Performance Information


Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Article X, section 15 of the Florida Constitution and Ch. 24, and s. 20.317, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Florida Lottery Customer Service, 850-487-7787, or use the Lottery contact form
Website