Where the Money Goes

Impact on our Players

Since the first drawing over 40 years ago,the Maine Lottery has paid over $2.2 billion in prizes to players.These prizes have ranged from as low as 50 cents all the way to $9.1million.

The Maine State Lottery works to ensure that our players have a variety of games to play and a variety of prizes to win. From second-chance opportunities on non-winning tickets such as Boston Red Sox®, Escape to Margaritaville®, and Monopoly Millionaires' Club™, to exciting draw games featuring multi-million dollar payouts such as Powerball, Megabucks, Mega Millions, and others.

Impact on our local economy

With more than 1,250 current lottery retail agents scattered throughout the state, lottery sales provide a consistent year-round revenue stream for small and large businesses alike. From large chains to smaller establishments, in 2015 alone, lottery retail agents received over $16.5 million in total commissions and bonuses

In the last 40 years, more than $335 million in sales commissions and bonuses have been paid to these businesses.

Impact on all citizens of Maine

Since 1974, the Maine State Lottery has transferred over $1.24 Billion to Maine State Government's General Fund. These funds have been used by the Maine Legislature to benefit the citizens of Maine, including general purpose aid for local schools, higher education, health services, as well as a variety of additional programs.

In 2015 the Lottery successfully transferred $54 million in revenue to the General Fund.

Finally, since 1996, the Maine State Lottery has transferred $18.85 Million to the Outdoor Heritage Fund. This money, generated from the proceeds of certain $1 instant ticket games, has been helping to fund critical conservation and wildlife projects throughout Maine.