2023 Press Releases
July 17, 2023
Annual Lottery Week Kicks Off July 16, 2023
Dover, DE — The Delaware Lottery, in collaboration with lotteries across North America, has declared the week of July 16th as the fifth annual observance of Lottery Week.
Lottery Week is a celebration of lotteries across the United States and Canada, in acknowledgement of their collective contributions to the communities they serve.
On average, about 95% of funds generated from traditional U.S. lottery games goes directly back into the economy through prizes, public beneficiaries and retailer commissions. While individual jurisdictions vary, across the industry we estimate that lotteries return an average of 65% in prizes to players, 24% to public beneficiaries and 6% to retailer commissions. The remainder supports lottery operations, providing direct and indirect employment and other benefits.
Lottery proceeds fund different programs according to each jurisdiction’s guidelines and are dedicated to a variety of causes, including education, the environment, health care, capital construction projects, programs for seniors, cultural activities and more.
In fiscal year 2022, U.S. lotteries generated sales of over $107.9 billion, resulting in more than $28.6 billion for their beneficiaries.
The Delaware Lottery contributes its profits to the State General Fund, which is the pool of dollars that finances most vital state services in Delaware. Vital state services span public and higher education, health and social services, public safety, judicial and corrections, child and family services, and natural resources and environmental control. Since 1975, $6.0 billion has been transferred to the General Fund from Lottery proceeds.
But there’s more, beyond the numbers. Lottery organizations and their partners are often involved
in directly supporting local causes as well, by hosting events like food drives and community cleanups.
They team up with responsible gambling groups to educate their retailers and consumers, to help
encourage safe, responsible play. And, of course, they provide a fun, exciting source of entertainment
for all their players – not to mention a big payout for the lucky winners.
The goal of Lottery Week is to highlight these positive impacts that lotteries make and recognize the important role lotteries play in their jurisdictions.
Lottery Week evolved from an idea implemented by the Massachusetts Lottery in 2018. Declaring July 17, 2018 as the official National Lottery Day, Mass Lottery offered players and retailers a special day of exciting lottery promotions, celebrating the provision of billions of dollars in local aid provided since the state’s Lottery was created in 1972.
About the Delaware Lottery:
Since the start of operations in 1975, the Delaware Lottery has contributed $6.0 billion to the state’s General Fund to help finance needed state services that benefit everyone in Delaware. The Lottery offers a variety of games: POWERBALL®, MEGA MILLIONS®, LOTTO AMERICA®, MULTI-WIN LOTTO, LUCKY FOR LIFE®, PLAY 3, PLAY 4, Keno®, Sports Lottery and Instant Games, iGaming, Video Lottery and Table Games. Delaware Lottery game and promotional details are available at delottery.com, at licensed locations, and from the Lottery’s office in Dover.
Winner Privacy is our Policy.
The Delaware Lottery only publishes winner names with their consent.
