New Hampshire Lottery Surpasses $3 Billion in Contributions to Public Education

CONCORD, N.H. (May 20, 2025) – The New Hampshire Lottery, the nation’s first state-run lottery, is celebrating $3 billion in contributions to public education in the Granite State.

Since its inception in 1964, New Hampshire Lottery profits have been earmarked for state education funding, and as of May 2025, contributions exceeded $3 billion. Historically, for every dollar spent on lottery tickets, 29 cents goes back to the state to support public education.

“Our 60th anniversary last year, our 5th anniversary of sports betting this year, and now eclipsing $3 billion returned to public education in New Hampshire—the milestones just keep on coming,” said Charlie McIntyre, Executive Director, New Hampshire Lottery. “We are grateful to be generating this critical funding on behalf of the students, teachers and schools of New Hampshire—it is even better than handing out big checks to prize winners, because in New Hampshire, our schools win on every play. Whether it has been KENO 603, NH iLottery, expanded charitable gaming, or sports betting, each addition we make has one goal in mind: maximize revenue for New Hampshire schools.”

“This milestone is all about impact, opportunity and making a real, tangible difference in the lives of students, families and communities. We take immense pride in knowing every lottery purchase contributes directly to shaping a brighter future for Granite State students.”

Over the last five years, the New Hampshire Lottery has remained at the forefront of the industry as one of the fastest-growing lotteries in the country. That growth and success is tied to a series of upgrades and enhancements, including the implementation of KENO 603 in 2017, the launch of NH iLottery in 2018, the introduction of sports betting in 2019, the establishment of a mobile app in 2022, a completely redesigned and streamlined website earlier in 2025, and expanded charitable gaming opportunities, all alongside a consistent focus on responsible gaming.

“Over the past 61 years, the way people play the New Hampshire Lottery may have changed – with new games, new technology and new ways to win – but our commitment to public education in the Granite State has never wavered. We are proud that our innovative and progressive approach has elevated the New Hampshire Lottery to an industry-leading position and brought us to this historic milestone, but this is about much more than dollars,” said Debra Douglas, Chairman, New Hampshire Lottery Commission. “This milestone is all about impact, opportunity and making a real, tangible difference in the lives of students, families and communities. We take immense pride in knowing every lottery purchase contributes directly to shaping a brighter future for Granite State students.”

The New Hampshire Lottery set its all-time sales record last fiscal year, surpassing $631 million in total revenues, representing a nearly 5% or $30 million year-over-year increase. The New Hampshire Lottery also generated an all-time high of $207.0 million in revenue supporting New Hampshire public education in Fiscal Year 2024, reflecting a nearly 9% or $18 million year-over-year increase.

Since its inception, the New Hampshire Lottery has recorded more than $10 billion in lottery sales and other earnings, paying out $7 billion in prizes. Since launching sports betting on December 30, 2019, Granite Staters have wagered more than $3.5 billion, which has generated more than $140 million for education.

History of the New Hampshire Lottery

Keene State Rep. Laurence “Larry” Pickett proposed a sweepstakes bill five times between 1953 and 1963, only getting it passed once he earmarked the profits for public education. Ticket sales officially began on March 12, 1964 with a sale to Governor John King at Rockingham Park in Salem.

After marking $1 million in ticket sales, tickets were pulled from a large drum and paired with thoroughbred horses nominated to run in a race at Rockingham Park. People from all over the United States came to New Hampshire to buy tickets for a chance to be a winner. Ultimately, six lucky winners matched the winning horse, Roman Brother, and each winner took home $100,000.

During its first calendar year, the New Hampshire Lottery generated $5.7 million in tickets sales, with more than $1.8 million awarded to winners and $2 million delivered to New Hampshire public education.

For more information on the New Hampshire Lottery, visit www.nhlottery.com.

About New Hampshire Lottery

Since 1964, the New Hampshire Lottery has contributed more than $3 billion and counting to education in New Hampshire. For the past 61 years, the New Hampshire Lottery has recorded more than $10 billion in lottery sales and other earnings, with over $7 billion paid in prizes and other cost of sales.

The New Hampshire Lottery Commission, located at 14 Integra Drive in Concord, currently manages all lottery operations in the state, including scratch games, New Hampshire Powerball®, New Hampshire Mega Millions®, Tri-State Megabucks℠, Tri-State Pick3®/Pick4® Daily Numbers games, Gimme 5, Fast Play games, Lucky For Life®, KENO 603℠, and iLottery. The New Hampshire Lottery also regulates charitable gaming, including Bingo, Lucky 7, and Games of Chance, along with simulcast racing, fantasy sports, and sports wagering.