Oklahoma Lottery Raises More Than $500 Million For Education Programs

More than half a billion dollars have been raised for Oklahoma Education through the Oklahoma Lottery. That is since the lottery began in 2005.

A check presentation was made on Monday outside lottery headquarters.

"It's half a billion dollars. That's just an amazing amount of money that education would not have had without the existence of the lottery," said Rollo Redburn, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Lottery.

Since the Lottery launched in 2005, it has generated $500,669,663 for Oklahoma education with the most recent transfer on October 9, 2012, pushing the contributions over the $500 million mark, according to officials.

Of the funds generated for Oklahoma education, the following amounts were contributed by beneficiary category:

• Elementary and Secondary Education - $225.3 million

• Higher Education- $201.5 million

• Career and Technology Education- $23.7 million

• Teachers' Retirement System - $25 million

• School Consolidation and Assistance Fund - $25 million

In addition to the half billion dollars to education, the Oklahoma Lottery has provided millions to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, as well as State Withholding taxes.