Powerball jackpot run delivers $79M for schools and retailers

Even though the $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot drawing held on Christmas Eve was won in Arkansas, ticket sales leading up to the drawing generated more than $79 million combined for New York’s public schools and Lottery retailers, according to a statement from the state’s Gaming Commission.

The Powerball jackpot began rolling Sept. 8, resulting in 47 drawings held until Dec. 24. In New York State, Powerball ticket sales totaled $194.2 million during the run. All of New York’s profits from the sales are constitutionally dedicated to New York’s K-12 public schools, totaling $68 million during this jackpot. Commissions on ticket sales paid to retailers in that time frame across the state totaled $11.7 million.  

“New York’s public schools and lottery retailers always win big when massive jackpots build,” said Gaming Commission Chair Brian O’Dwyer. “The benefit and the excitement are real in New York State, with nearly 100 winning tickets worth $50,000 or more being sold right here during the jackpot run.”

Multiple New Yorkers won prizes during the Powerball roll up between Sept. 8 and Dec. 24. New York retailers sold $36 million in winning Powerball prizes.

There were 99 prizes of at least $50,000 sold in New York State during the rollup, including: Eleven Powerball $1 million second prize winners, one Power Play $200,000 third prize winner, two Power Play $150,000 third prize winners, 12 Power Play $100,000 third prize winners and 73 Powerball $50,000 third prize winners.