Who Regulates the Lottery?

All state lotteries exist to raise revenue. Usually, state-run lotteries can generate quite a bit. And they do it for education, general funds, environmental activities, etc.

But who regulates the lottery? Today, we’ll look at who’s in charge and how that works.

Who Regulates the Lottery?

So, let’s target the main question. Who runs the lottery? Who is behind the scenes when it comes to some of our favorite games? Lotteries are regulated by their state/provincial governments. 

The federal government only gets involved in a couple of cases. When it comes to interstate advertising and interstate ticket distribution.

Can these state regulators be trusted? You should know that lottery board meetings are open to the public. Any and all lottery files are part of the public record, too.

If you don’t like the way your state’s lottery is regulated, you have every opportunity to say so. You can refuse to buy tickets. You can also let your voice be heard when it’s time to cast your ballot.

How Do States Use Lottery Revenue?

Some revenue goes to pay the prizes, of course. But what about after those expenses?

A lot of states apply their lottery revenue to more than one entity or purpose. As mentioned before, some revenue goes to schools and even economic development. But some states are unique in how they use the money.

In Pennsylvania, the lottery revenue goes to support the elderly. It helps with the elderly’s property tax, rent, transportation, etc. In Massachusetts, lottery revenue is distributed in part to the arts. Both Maryland and Washington use portions for sports teams’ stadium construction. 

Which States Offer Multiple Lotteries?

There are a variety of ways in which states offer lottery games. Some states have more than one lottery. For instance, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont have both their own state lotteries and the “Tri-State Lotto.”

Lottery Regulation Resources

Quick reference! For your convenience, we’ve created a chart containing each lottery state and its accompanying lottery website. Visit each site to get the details about its unique lottery regulations and more.

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Reach out today to learn how you can use our technology, and understand how we’re transforming the lottery world.