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

The department's activities include the following.

• Ticket Sales includes a variety of scratch-off and draw games. Scratch-off games are tickets with removable coverings that players scratch off to instantly determine if they won. 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.
• Redeeming Winning Tickets of less than $600 is available at any Lottery retailer. To redeem a prize of $600 or more, the prize winner must complete a winner claim form. Prizes from $600 to $250,000, and POWERBALL and MEGA MILLIONS prizes up to $1 million, may be redeemed at any department district office. Prizes of $250,000 or more, with the exception of POWERBALL and MEGA MILLIONS prizes ranging up to $1 million, must be claimed at department headquarters in Tallahassee.
• Security and Retailer Integrity is ensured by department staff, who visit and test Lottery retailers using winning Lottery tickets to ensure the retailers are properly paying prizes to players for winning Lottery tickets, and to ensure that retailers 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 department 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 department is either acted upon the by the department or forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

In 1986 a constitutional amendment was passed in a statewide election providing for the operation of a state lottery. In accordance with s. 24.121, Florida Statutes, each year a percentage of revenue from the sale of Lottery tickets is transferred to the Education Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) for the benefit of public education. EETF appropriations are made to public schools, Florida colleges, state universities, and student financial aid, including the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. For 2023-24, a total of $3.2 billion was appropriated from the EETF to public education. The largest portion of the EETF, 46.5% ($1.5 billion), was appropriated to public schools, while student financial aid received 22.4% ($708 million), the state universities received 22.2% ($702 million), and the Florida College System received 8.8% ($278 million).

The funding information listed below is provided by Transparency Florida. Please contact the department for more information on its funding. Additional information about department funding and activities is available on the State of Florida Fiscal Portal.

The Lottery is self-supporting and receives no general revenue. Prizes and retailer commissions are paid directly from sales revenues.

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

OPPAGA Reports and Presentations
A complete list of OPPAGA reports and presentations is available on our website.

Other Reports
2023-24 Education Appropriations - Funded by the Educational Enhancement (Lottery) Trust Fund, Florida Department of Education, 2024
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report For the Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2023, and 2022, Florida Department of the Lottery, 2024
A complete list of the Florida Auditor General reports is 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 

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

Florida Department of the Lottery Contact Website
Florida Department of the Lottery
250 Marriott Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32301-2983
(850) 487-7787
Website