TENNESSEE EDUCATION LOTTERY FACTS
CREATING A LOTTERY
Nov. 5, 2002: Tennessee voters approved a statewide referendum to permit a lottery.
April/May 2003: The Senate and House passed legislation authorizing the Tennessee Education Lottery
Corporation to operate games and generate funds for specific education programs in the state.
July 1, 2003: Governor Phil Bredesen appointed a 7-member Board of Directors to govern the Corporation.
Sept. 22, 2003: Rebecca Paul (now Rebecca Hargrove) is hired as the Corporation’s first President and CEO.
Jan. 20, 2004: The Tennessee Lottery began selling tickets.
SALES/GAMES
First-day ticket sales, which began three weeks earlier than expected, totaled $10.8 million.
Tennessee Lottery ticket sales are now more than $5.7 billion.
Drawing-style games include Powerball, Lotto Plus, Pick 5, Cash 3 and Cash 4.
Every non-winning instant ticket is eligible to win prizes through a variety of second-chance drawing programs,
including Play it Again!, designed to reduce litter and give players another chance to win. This program has
awarded 102 players more than $2.7 million in cash prizes since it began.
WHERE THE MONEY GOES
The TEL has raised over $1.5 billion for education programs since inception.
The Tennessee Education Lottery operates entirely from the revenue it generates through the sale of its
products.
For the Academic Year 2009-2010, more than 100,000 students are expected to receive awards to higher
education institutions in the state.
During Academic Year 2008-09, Lottery funds were used to assist more than 75,000 students at higher
education institutions in the state and another 13,000 students in dual enrollment classes. During that same
period, Lottery funds were used to fund 271 pre-K classes and grants to more than 100 after-school programs.
Out of every dollar spent on tickets, the largest portion is used to pay prizes. Other portions are used to pay
retailers, fund the education programs described above and for Lottery operations.
WINNERS
Tennessee Lottery players have won nearly $3.4 billion in prizes.
The largest prize was won on March 30, 2005, when a Tennessee player from South Pittsburg matched all six
Powerball numbers to win the jackpot of $25.5 million.
Since inception there have been more than 45 winners of $1 million or more.
Tennesse Lottery Games
Tennessee Powerball,
Tennessee Lotto Plus,
Tennessee Pick 5,
Cash 3, and Cash 4.
Managed by
Multi-State Lottery Association.