Lottery revenue is an important source of state revenue. Unfortunately, the amount of money coming from state lotteries has decreased from the high of twenty percent in the early 1990s to six percent in 2016. Even worse, states that have state lotteries are experiencing a decline in ticket sales, according to the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL). According to the NAASPL, in 2013, states collected $60 billion from lottery tickets. Of that amount, twenty billion went directly into state budgets. However, in practice, most states use the funds for other, less obvious purposes.
When playing state lotteries, be sure to read the rules and regulations. It is important to be aware of any time constraints and how much time is allowed for winnings to be paid out. Typically, if you win the lottery, you have thirty to three months to claim the prize. If you win a large prize, however, you will be required to contact the state lottery office.
The Director of the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency serves on the board. This agency oversees contracts, licensing, and operations. The Gaming Control Agency also has four divisions. The Director of the agency serves as a nonvoting member of the board.