North Carolina Education Lottery
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The North Carolina Education Lottery was enacted when Governor Mike Easley signed the North Carolina State Lottery Act (H. 1023) and the 2005 Appropriations Act (S. 622) on 31 August 2005.
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[edit] History
At the time, North Carolina, a state normally associated with the Bible belt, was the only state on the East coast without some type of state-run lottery. The issue divided lawmakers and the public alike. At the time nearly every Republican and a small minority of Democratic lawmakers made the passage of a lottery unlikely. However, on 30 August, two anti-lottery opponents (Harry Brown R-Jacksonville and John Garwood R-North Wilkesboro) had excused absences. With this known, a special vote was called and the vote tied 24-24. Then Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue cast the tiebreaking vote, signaling the way for Governor Easley to sign it into law. It is important to note; however, that the vote could have been defeated had the absent senators paired their votes.
[edit] Proceeds and Payouts
- Seven percent is paid to retailers as commission.
- Fifty percent is paid as winnings to lottery players.
- Eight percent is cost-of-sales.
- The remaining 35% goes to education proceeds, broken down as follows:
- Before any proceeds are paid, 5% of the proceeds (1.75% of the total) goes to the Education Lottery Reserve Fund to be used when lottery proceeds fall short of the goal. This fund may not exceed US $50 million.
- Fifty percent of the remainder of the education proceeds (16.625% of the total) goes towards the reduction of class sizes.
- Forty percent of the remainder of the education proceeds (13.3% of the total) is used for school construction.
- Sixty-five percent of this total (8.645% of the total) is distributed based on school enrollment.
- The remianing 35% (4.655% of the total) is distributed to counties with effective county property tax rates above the state average based on school enrollment.
- Ten percent of the remainder of the education proceeds (3.325% of the total) are distributed for college scholarships, to be used with the federal Pell Grant.
[edit] Available Games
- Scratch-off tickets, began 30 March 2006.
- Powerball, began 31 May 2006.
- Carolina Pick 3, began 6 October 2006.
- Carolina Cash 5, began 27 October 2006.
[edit] References
- "Lottery Opponenets Outmaneuvered". Legislation Information Network. 31 August 2005. Accessed 4 June 2006.
- Mouskourie, Diane. "The Wrong Number?". The Daily News (Jacksonville, NC). 7 May 2006. Accessed 4 June 2006.
