Georgia Lottery Raised a Record $1.54 Billion for Education in Fiscal 2026

The Georgia Lottery just had a record year for the state's students. Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that the Georgia Lottery Corporation raised $1,540,868,000 for education in fiscal year 2026, the most in its history and the 11th year in a row it has topped $1 billion for schools.

That pushes the total the lottery has transferred to the state's Lottery for Education Account since it began in 1993 past $31.3 billion, and it beats the prior fiscal year by $69.5 million.

Where the money goes: HOPE and Pre-K

Every dollar of Georgia Lottery profit is earmarked for two education programs: the HOPE Scholarship and the state's voluntary Pre-K program. Over the last eight years alone, the lottery says it has generated $11.48 billion for the two. More than 2.3 million students have received HOPE, and more than 2.2 million four-year-olds have attended the statewide prekindergarten program.

"The Georgia Lottery has generated $11.48 billion in proceeds for the HOPE Scholarship and our Pre-K Program over the last eight years," Kemp said, adding that the funding is part of why "quality education will remain both affordable and accessible here in Georgia."

The HOPE Scholarship helps eligible Georgia students pay tuition at colleges and universities in the state based on academic achievement. Georgia’s voluntary Pre-K program provides free early education to four-year-olds to help prepare them for kindergarten.

A record year all around

"Fiscal year 2026 was an exceptionally strong year," Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin said. "Every ticket purchased represents an investment in Georgia's students and families who benefit from the Georgia Lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship and Pre-K programs."

The strong year was not only about the money going out to schools. The Georgia Lottery also marked the largest prize in its history over the same stretch: a $983 million Mega Millions jackpot won in Newnan in November and claimed in January.

For players, it is a reminder that a scratch-off or draw ticket funds something even when it loses. If you play in the state, current Georgia scratch-offs are on our Georgia page.

Sources

Georgia Lottery Corporation: FY2026 profits for HOPE and Pre-K exceed $1.5 billion