We're proud to support Washington's students through the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account.
Approximately 65% of the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account goes toward helping Washington's students achieve their higher education dreams by funding college scholarships and state financial aid programs.
The remaining amount, approximately 35%, is used to support early childhood learning programs.
Thanks to the 2010 state legislature which passed Senate Bill 6409, Lottery dollars for education now help fund college scholarships and state financial aid programs. From July 2010, more than $100 million annually in Lottery proceeds will be dedicated to the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account to support programs such as the State Need Grant, the State Work Study, and early learning programs.
The funds generated by the Lottery's partnership with the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account in Fiscal Year 2011, have helped provide tuition assistance to more than 20,000 students statewide.
Funds from the account will also help support early childhood education programs through the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). This program serves three- and four-year-olds from low income families, or with developmental or environmental risk factors that could interfere with school success. In addition to helping build the beginning skills for reading, math and science, ECEAP also provides families with access to medical and dental care and social services. To find out more, visit Washington State Department of Early Learning.
For more information about who benefits from these programs and scholarships, or to apply for a grant or scholarship, please visit the Higher Education Coordinating Board of Washington State.
General public
In addition to helping fund valuable education programs, through Fiscal Year 2011, a portion of Washington's Lottery proceeds continued to pay down public debt on Safeco Field, as well as Qwest Field and Event Center. The proceeds also support problem gambling prevention and awareness, economic development, and the General Fund. Since inception, the Lottery has contributed $3.08 billion to various crucial state programs.
In fiscal year 2011, Washington's Lottery distributed more than $295 million to winners.
The lucky players of Washington's Lottery spend their winnings lots of ways. Some begin saving for their children's college education, others use their winnings to treat themselves to a new car or family vacation. Other winners win big by using their imagination to identify causes that contribute to nonprofits right here in Washington State.
Listen to the Winner’s Minutes to find out how other Washington's Lottery winners are spending their prize money in Washington.
Washington businesses also benefit from Lottery sales. Retailer selling bonuses are paid to retailers who sell a winning jackpot ticket or selected high tier winning tickets. In fiscal year 2011, Lottery retailers earned more than $30 million in commissions from ticket sales. They consistently affirm that Lottery games sales drive customers to their stores and increase overall sales.
The owners of One Stop Deli and Grocery in Everett know firsthand how Lottery products boost business. "The Lottery brings regular business into our store. Over the year, we've developed relationships with customers who are loyal Lottery players—it's fun to share in their excitement after a win, no matter how big or small."
In 2011, for the fourth year in a row, Rainier Place ARCO in Union Gap, Washington, was named Retailer of the Year. They were chosen out of more than 4,000 lottery retailers statewide. Washington's Lottery Retailers of the Year are selected based on criteria of employee enthusiasm, management and clerk involvement, display of lottery signage, store sales and overall Lottery involvement.
Store owner Greg Sybouts has been working with the Lottery since 2002. He and his employees enjoy the excitement Lottery brings to their customers. Rainier Place goes over the top and creates Lottery promotions even if the Lottery is not running one. According to Sybouts, they recently held a Powerball promotion in which they "put a big tub of balloons in the store - each filled with a Lottery Scratch ticket - and everyone who bought a Powerball ticket got a balloon too.