14news.com · Aaron Weeks · September 8, 2026
Kentucky Lottery hits $8 billion milestone in funding for state
# Kentucky Lottery hits $8 billion milestone in funding for state
By Aaron Weeks
Published: Sep. 8, 2026 at 10:08 AM CDT| Updated: 31 minutes ago
KENTUCKY. (WFIE) - Kentucky Lottery officials are celebrating record-breaking results in their mission to fund educational opportunities for students and their families across the Commonwealth.
In fiscal year 2026, which ended June 30, the Lottery hit a milestone of generating more than $8 billion in total earnings for Kentucky since its inception in 1989.
The Kentucky Lottery had record sales in fiscal year 2026, totaling $2.38 billion, which is $224 million more than the prior fiscal year.
Officials say this allowed the company to transfer record funding to the state, which lawmakers will use to invest in high schools, colleges and universities in every region of the state through scholarship and grants.
Kentucky Lottery players also won big in fiscal year 2026, with a record $1.78 billion in prizes paid to winners. Major highlights include massive national Powerball jackpot runs, twice exceeding $1 billion.
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