Welcome back to our Free Play Lotto series! We’re excited to have you here again. We’d love to hear your thoughts—what topics are you curious about? Is there something you’d like us to dive into next? Share your ideas in the comments below—we’re eager to hear from you!
In part 1 of this series, “Where Does Unclaimed Lottery Prize Money Go?” we will discuss the unclaimed prize money in the following 7 southern states: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Georgia! And to enhance your experience, we’ve included pictures of the state flowers! 🌼 Can you guess them all?
Stay tuned for part 2 where we dive into unclaimed prize money in West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.
Texas
Where does the lone star state hold its unclaimed lottery prize money?
This money goes back to the state and its use is approved by the state legislature.
Oklahoma
According to the Oklahoma Lottery Commission, proceeds are transferred to the Oklahoma Education Lottery Trust Fund and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Arkansas
Arkansas’s scholarship lottery site indicates that net proceeds go to scholarships and grants to Arkansas’ in-state colleges and universities.
Louisiana
As detailed by Louisiana’s lottery site, unclaimed prize money “is transferred to the Lottery’s unclaimed prize fund, which is returned to players in the form of increased payouts.”
Mississippi
According to Mississippi’s lottery site, net proceeds are distributed as appropriate to the Lottery Proceeds Fund and the State General Fund. Additionally, the website states the following:
“Net proceeds up to $80 million generated by the Alyce G. Clarke Mississippi Lottery Law will be paid into the State Highway Fund until June 30, 2028.”
Kentucky
Kentucky’s lottery site provides visuals to explain the state’s allocation of lottery money. Most of its unclaimed money is reinvested in the state.
Georgia
According to Georgia’s lottery site, the lottery was created to “enhance education funding” and proceeds fund grants and scholarships, its prekindergarten program, tech upgrades, technical institutes, and universities.
Until Next Time!
– The Free Play Lotto Team!
Sources
- $2 MILLION POWERBALL® PRIZE REMAINS UNCLAIMED; TICKET TO EXPIRE OCT. 7 (texaslottery.com)
- Microsoft Word – OLC FR.docx (ok.gov)
- Arkansas Scholarship Lottery | Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (myarkansaslottery.com)
- Unclaimed Prizes – Louisiana Lottery
- https://www.mslottery.com/about-the-mississippi-lottery/giving-back/
- Where the Money Goes | KY Lottery
- About Us (galottery.com)