Nebraska Lottery Pumps $14M Into State Programs After Powerball Frenzy

Nebraska Lottery Proceeds Hit $14M, Boosting Beneficiaries Across the State

LINCOLN — Thanks to a record-breaking Powerball frenzy this summer, Nebraska just delivered one of its biggest lottery transfers ever: more than $14 million to state beneficiaries.

That $14,014,624 haul, covering the last three months, ranks as the sixth-largest quarterly transfer since Nebraska’s lottery launched in 1993. It also pushed the state’s total lottery proceeds sent to programs and causes past the $1 billion mark — now sitting at $1.051 billion.

What fueled the surge? The $1.787 billion Powerball jackpot, the second-largest in U.S. history. The jackpot run began in June and ended in September when tickets sold in Missouri and Texas finally hit the prize. Nebraska’s share of the excitement brought in about $3.9 million in proceeds during that stretch alone.

Nebraska Lottery Director Brian Rockey summed it up: “Powerball is obviously very popular, and the interest generated by a large jackpot has a positive impact on beneficiary programs.”

Here’s where the latest $14M went:

• 44.5% ($6M) ? Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund

• 44.5% ($6M) ? Education (as directed by lawmakers)

• 10% ($1.35M) ? Nebraska State Fair

• 1% ($635K) ? Problem Gamblers Assistance Fund

? Quick fact: Roughly 25 cents of every lottery dollar goes directly to these causes, thanks to a 2004 voter-approved amendment.

And if you’re wondering, here are Nebraska’s Top 10 lottery transfers of all time: December 2022 leads with $15.8M, followed by September 2023 and March 2021. September 2025 now proudly claims the No. 6 spot.