BOISE, Idaho ÔÇô The Idaho Lottery made their annual dividend presentation to the People of Idaho during a ceremony this afternoon at the State Capitol. Led by Idaho Lottery Director Jeff Anderson, Idaho Lottery Commission Chairman Mel Fisher and the Idaho State Lottery Commission, they presented Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter with a check for this year's dividend of $45,000,000. Over their twenty-six year history, including this year's dividend, the Idaho Lottery has returned $694,500,000 for the benefit of Idaho public education, the State's permanent building fund, and the Department of Education's Bond Levy Equalization Fund.

"Every year, Idaho's public schools and the State's permanent building fund are the true winners of the Idaho Lottery," said Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter. "The Lottery has upheld their commitment to operating with the greatest degree possible of fairness and integrity while fulfilling their mission to provide an essential dividend to the People of Idaho."

"The Idaho Lottery remains steadfast to responsibly maximize our annual dividend for the betterment of public schools and Idaho's public institutions," said Anderson. "This year's dividend would not be possible without the support of our dedicated, statewide network of 1200 brick and mortar retail locations, and the continued support from our players who participate voluntarily."

During the ceremony Governor Otter presented Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra with a $28 million dividend check. Of that amount, $17 million is earmarked for the Department of Education for use by the districts in their public schools and the remaining $11 million is for the Department's Bond Levy Equalization Fund. Since inception, the Idaho Lottery has contributed $371.9 million to these accounts in support of Public Education in Idaho.

"For 26 years, the Idaho Lottery has been a financial partner in supporting schools throughout the state," Superintendent Ybarra said. "In our ongoing effort in soundly funding education, this contribution supports in helping schools and students to achieve."

Governor Otter also presented Dee Jameson, Acting Chairman for Permanent Building Fund Advisory Council, with a dividend check for $17 million. Since 1989, the Idaho Lottery has returned $322.6 million back to support Idaho's permanent buildings.

"The relationship between the Permanent Building Fund and the Idaho Lottery has grown stronger over the past twenty-six years," said Jameson. "Each year, with the support of their dividends, we are able to fund projects that promote education and preserve our historical facilities."

The Idaho Lottery ended its Fiscal Year on June 30, recording $210.2 million in annual sales, awarding $136.7 million in prizes to players, and retailers earning $12.5 million in commissions.

During the year the Idaho Lottery made five millionaires, saw its newest Draw Game Lucky for Life award a $25,000 a year for life prize, and Wild Card logged a jackpot winner for the fifth time in the past six years. Scratch Games^TM continue to be the most popularly played game format, grossing $126.8 million.

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ABOUT THE IDAHO LOTTERY
The Idaho Lottery responsibly provides a variety of entertaining games featuring Powerball, Mega Millions, Scratch Games^TM, and PullTabs with a high degree of integrity to maximize the dividend for Idaho public schools and the permanent building fund. Since their inception in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has sold over $2.95 billion in products, awarded over $1.77 billion in prizes to players, returned more than $172.6 million in retail commissions, and distributed $694.5 million in Lottery dividends to Idaho public schools and the Permanent Building Fund. To learn more, please visit www.idaholottery.com.