Mega Millions ticket sales ring up $60.3M for NY schools

Ticket sales leading up to the record-setting $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot earlier this month generated more than $60.3 million for New York’s public schools.

Though the huge jackpot was won in Maine, New York rang up $172.4 million in Mega Millions ticket sales during the three-month run-up, when 26 drawings yielded no big winner.

All of New York’s profits from the sales are constitutionally dedicated to New York’s K-12 public schools, totaling $60.3 million. Commissions on Mega Millions sales paid to retailers across the state totaled $10.3 million.

In addition, multiple New Yorkers won prizes during the Mega Millions roll up between October and Jan. 13, including 12 second prize winners totaling $12 million; one second prize Megaplier winner totaling $3 million; and $10.5 million in lower-tier prizes.

The Jan. 13 prize was the third multi-state jackpot to climb beyond $1 billion in the last year.

“As the numbers show, the New York Lottery provides entertainment for millions of responsible New Yorkers and delivers real money for public schools and small businesses across the state,” New York State Gaming Commission Chairman Brian O’Dwyer said in a written statement. “The Gaming Commission remains committed to supporting the lottery’s goal of generating revenue for schools and retailers.”

The New York Lottery is North America’s largest and most profitable lottery, according to the commission, contributing $3.6 billion in lottery aid to education for fiscal year 2021-2022.