About Us
About the Louisiana LotteryLouisiana Lottery Corporation began in 1991 after the 1990 state Legislature proposed a state lottery (ACT 1045) as a way to generate revenue without increasing taxes. Due to the Lottery's unique operations, the Legislature recognized a corporate structure would suit it best.
In addition to an annual clean bill of health from the Legislative Auditor, the Louisiana Lottery Corporation continues to receive national recognition for excellence in financial reporting.For a printer friendly version of an overview of the Louisiana Lottery, download our Fun Facts brochure.For more detailed and historical sales and state transfer information, see our 2019 Press Kit.To view, download, or print this file in PDF format, you must install the Adobe Acrobat Reader (free of charge) from Adobe's website.
In addition to an annual clean bill of health from the Legislative Auditor, the Louisiana Lottery Corporation continues to receive national recognition for excellence in financial reporting.For a printer friendly version of an overview of the Louisiana Lottery, download our Fun Facts brochure.For more detailed and historical sales and state transfer information, see our 2019 Press Kit.To view, download, or print this file in PDF format, you must install the Adobe Acrobat Reader (free of charge) from Adobe's website.Where The Money Goes
Where the Money GoesHere's how each dollar in Lottery ticket sales is approximately allocated:
53.7% to Prize WinnersMore than half of Lottery sales are reserved for prize expenses. Prizes not claimed are returned to winners in the form of increased payouts on scratch-off tickets. Players have won about $4.75 billion in prizes since the Lottery's inception.35% to State TreasuryThe Lottery statute mandates that at least 35 percent of all Lottery revenue be transferred to the state treasury. Effective July 1, 2004, the Louisiana constitution provides that Lottery proceeds be earmarked for the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP), which funds K-12 public education in Louisiana. In addition, the first $500,000 in annual Lottery proceeds is earmarked for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals-Office of Behavioral Health to fund problem gambling programs.As of fiscal year 2019, the Lottery has transferred more than $3.7 billion to the state treasury. More than $184.3 million was transferred from sales in fiscal year 2019. The Louisiana Lottery ranks second among other U.S. jurisdictional lotteries in percentage of revenue transferred to its government.5.6% to Lottery RetailersRoughly 2,900 businesses in Louisiana earn five percent commission on the sale of Lottery products as licensed retailers. In addition to revenue from commissions, retailers earn an incentive of up to 2 percent for cashing winning tickets of $600 or less. Retailers are also paid a selling bonus of up to 1 percent on the sale of winning tickets for Lotto jackpots; Easy 5 jackpots; Powerball and Mega Millions match-5 prizes (including Power Play and Megaplier winnings); and Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots (1 percent of Louisianas contribution to the jackpots cash value or a minimum bonus of $25,000). Retailer commissions, incentives and bonuses reached $27.5 million in fiscal year 2018, amounting to nearly $545.3 million since the Lottery's inception.5.7% to Lottery OperationsThe Lottery retains around 6 percent of its revenue to fund statewide operations, including its headquarters, five regional sales offices where players claim winning tickets, technology for generating tickets and conducting drawings, ticket printing, advertising, promotions and staffing. For the 21st consecutive year, the Louisiana Lottery received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the U.S. and Canada. The Louisiana Lottery was also the first in the country to receive industry verification that its quality assurances meet best practices.
53.7% to Prize WinnersMore than half of Lottery sales are reserved for prize expenses. Prizes not claimed are returned to winners in the form of increased payouts on scratch-off tickets. Players have won about $4.75 billion in prizes since the Lottery's inception.35% to State TreasuryThe Lottery statute mandates that at least 35 percent of all Lottery revenue be transferred to the state treasury. Effective July 1, 2004, the Louisiana constitution provides that Lottery proceeds be earmarked for the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP), which funds K-12 public education in Louisiana. In addition, the first $500,000 in annual Lottery proceeds is earmarked for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals-Office of Behavioral Health to fund problem gambling programs.As of fiscal year 2019, the Lottery has transferred more than $3.7 billion to the state treasury. More than $184.3 million was transferred from sales in fiscal year 2019. The Louisiana Lottery ranks second among other U.S. jurisdictional lotteries in percentage of revenue transferred to its government.5.6% to Lottery RetailersRoughly 2,900 businesses in Louisiana earn five percent commission on the sale of Lottery products as licensed retailers. In addition to revenue from commissions, retailers earn an incentive of up to 2 percent for cashing winning tickets of $600 or less. Retailers are also paid a selling bonus of up to 1 percent on the sale of winning tickets for Lotto jackpots; Easy 5 jackpots; Powerball and Mega Millions match-5 prizes (including Power Play and Megaplier winnings); and Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots (1 percent of Louisianas contribution to the jackpots cash value or a minimum bonus of $25,000). Retailer commissions, incentives and bonuses reached $27.5 million in fiscal year 2018, amounting to nearly $545.3 million since the Lottery's inception.5.7% to Lottery OperationsThe Lottery retains around 6 percent of its revenue to fund statewide operations, including its headquarters, five regional sales offices where players claim winning tickets, technology for generating tickets and conducting drawings, ticket printing, advertising, promotions and staffing. For the 21st consecutive year, the Louisiana Lottery received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the U.S. and Canada. The Louisiana Lottery was also the first in the country to receive industry verification that its quality assurances meet best practices.
Financials
Louisiana Lottery Financial InformationQuarterly Financial InformationIn accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 47:9021, the Louisiana Lottery Corporation publishes quarterly financial statements in the official journal of the state, including a statement of cash flows to identify the disposition of all funds expended by the corporation for any purpose:
Quarterly FinancialsComprehensive Annual Financial ReportThe Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is created by the Louisiana Lottery Corporation at the end of each fiscal year, July 1st through June 30th.Comprehensive Annual Financial ReportRetirement Plan Comprehensive Annual Financial ReportThe Retirement Plan Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is created by the Louisiana Lottery Corporation at the end of each calendar year, January 1st through December 31st.Retirement Plan Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
Past annual reports can be found on theLegislative Auditor's Web site.To view, download, or print these financial reports in PDF format, you must install the Adobe Acrobat Reader (free of charge) fromAdobe's website.
Quarterly FinancialsComprehensive Annual Financial ReportThe Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is created by the Louisiana Lottery Corporation at the end of each fiscal year, July 1st through June 30th.Comprehensive Annual Financial ReportRetirement Plan Comprehensive Annual Financial ReportThe Retirement Plan Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is created by the Louisiana Lottery Corporation at the end of each calendar year, January 1st through December 31st.Retirement Plan Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
Past annual reports can be found on theLegislative Auditor's Web site.To view, download, or print these financial reports in PDF format, you must install the Adobe Acrobat Reader (free of charge) fromAdobe's website.
Operations
Lottery OperationsStaffing & OfficesThe Lottery has 125 budgeted positions, including both full-time and part-time employees, in its downtown Baton Rouge headquarters, distribution center, as well as regional offices in New Orleans,Lafayette, Alexandria, Shreveport and Monroe. Regional staff process and pay winning tickets and support Lottery retailers, including training, monitoring product inventory and point-of-sale opportunities,assisting with in-store promotions, resolving problems, explaining new games and changes and ensuring compliance with Lottery rules. Operational management functions, including sales, accounting, auditing, marketing and public relations, human resources, security and information systems, are conductedfrom the Lotterys corporate headquarters. The Lotterys distribution center oversees inventory management and instant ticket order fulfillment.ProductsThe Lottery offers two types of games, scratch-offs and draw-style. Scratch-offs or instant tickets require players to scratch off a latex surface on the ticket to find out immediately if they have won. The Lottery introduces approximately 70 scratch-off games each year with varying prices of $1, $2, $3, $5 and $10. Ticket art, game design and prize structures are developed by Lottery staff. Tickets are printed by the Lotterys vendor, Scientific Games, under exacting quality control and security standards comparable to those in currency printing. As soon as all of the top prizes in a scratch-off game have been claimed, the Lottery immediately begins the process of pulling the game from sale. Games may also be closed when ticket inventory is near sell-out or at the discretion of the Lotterys president.To play draw-style games, players choose their own numbers or allow the Lotterys computers to choose their numbers and then wait for a drawing to be held to see if they have won. From time to time, the Lottery may also conduct raffle-style games with a set number of sequentially numbered raffle tickets for sale. The terminals used for draw-style games in retailer locations are part of a closed communications network with satellite in most locations, provided by Lottery vendor, INTRALOT. The INTRALOT gaming system cannot be accessed via the Internet or by the Lottery. This system is also separate from the Lottery drawing machine system. Current draw-style games include: Lotto, Easy 5, Pick 4, Pick 3, and two multistate games in which Louisiana participates: Powerball and Mega Millions.Louisiana law requires ticket purchasers to be at least 21 years old.Retailer DistributionLottery products are sold through a distribution network of roughly 2,900 Louisiana businesses who comply with an extensive licensing process that includes compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Louisiana Workforce Commission requirements and background screenings. Licensed retailers must display a sign indicating their status. Retailers earn a 5 percent commission as well as other incentives and bonuses on the sale of Lottery tickets. Retailers must also cash winning tickets valued up to $50 and are encouraged to cash winning tickets worth up to $600.
Historical Timeline
Louisiana Lottery Historical TimelineHere is listing of key milestone's in the Louisiana Lottery's history. Click for a general history of lotteries.1990