A Powerball lottery player arguably enjoyed the best way to start a new year.
And while that player was not located in New York, the Empire State still kicked off 2024 with a bang.
For the Jan. 1 drawing, a Michigan lottery player matched all five white balls and the Powerball to claim the $842 million jackpot. It marked the culmination of 35 rollovers before a grand-prize-winning ticket emerged.
As a result, for the New York Lottery, it also signified a major win for schools and retailers in the state.
Powerball jackpot leads to $45 million in NY Lottery contributions
According to the New York State Gaming Commission, ticket sales during that Powerball buildup totaled $109.9 million.
State law requires profits from all sales to go toward New York’s K-12 public schools. As such, lottery sales during the 35-drawing Powerball run resulted in $38.4 million for public education in New York. In addition, NY Lottery retailers pocketed $6.6 million from ticket sales.
“New York’s schools and small businesses win every time a lottery ticket is purchased,” Brian O’Dwyer, chair of the NYSGC, said in a press release.
“The millions of dollars generated with every jackpot underscore the significant role the New York Lottery plays in supporting public education and retailers across the state. As we venture into 2024, the New York Lottery will continue to create responsible and entertaining games for New Yorkers while also generating real revenue for our state’s public schools.”
NY Lottery winners emerge during latest Powerball run
Between Oct. 14 and Jan. 1, the entirety of the latest Powerball jackpot run, New Yorker’s may not have claimed the top prize, but many did come away winners nonetheless.
According to the NYSGC, New York Lottery players combined for $10.8 million in prizes of at least $50,000 during the 35-drawing buildup.
Highlights include:
- 1 winner claiming $2 million
- 5 winners claiming $1 million
- 3 winners claiming $150,000
- 5 winners claiming $100,000
- 52 winners claiming $50,000
Sales soon to be boosted by online lottery sales?
Over the summer last year, Sen. Joe Addabbo lauded online sports betting in New York and the industry’s contribution of $1 billion from state tax revenue it generated for public education.
In his statement, Addabbo emphasized that New York could capture more state tax revenue. Not only in the form of legal online casinos in NY, but also through online lottery.
“We should continue to build upon these solid revenue generating opportunities in order to make many additional improvements to our state’s gaming ventures and addiction services,” Addabbo said in June.
“I look forward to greater results with the future eventual arrival of iGaming and iLottery in New York.”
A poll from the Parkside Group just a few weeks ago found that 53% of New Yorkers approved of internet lottery sales. This in addition to 51% of respondents supporting NY online casino legalization.
