Good question: Where does all the lottery money go?

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — We know the state lotto is a huge moneymaker year after year.

Once the cash comes in, numbers are drawn and you announce the winners…who all gets a cut?

William asked News10NBC’s Brennan Somers just that: Does NYS give an annual report of the lottery money they collect, and where it was spent? It would be interesting to see a breakdown.

First off, what happens with the revenue? The lotto website says, "we give 100% of it to public education in New York State. The New York Constitution, as approved by 66% of voters in 1966, requires that all lottery revenue be used in support of education."

So it all goes to schools? Great.

But there’s more to it than that.

Let’s go through the finance reports Somers pulled online from the latest fiscal year (2020-21). The headline states, "Total New York Lottery Sales & Net Win: $8.59 Billion – Aid to Education: $3.59 Billion"

How does that break down even further? A quick check of the traditional lottery, and you’ll see most of that goes to the winners. More than $4 billion in prizes.

The next biggest chunk – $2.5 billion – is for schools. Then you pay out retailer commissions, contractor fees and other expenses. What have our schools received? In Monroe County, it was a combined $181 million during the last year. Districts have received nearly $4 billion in the history of the lotto.