Lottery and gaming revenue supplied more than $5 billion to New York’s more than 700 school districts during the last fiscal year, according to Spectrum News.
The total included $2.5 billion from the lottery, $1.1 billion from video lottery terminals, $1.3 billion from sports wagering and $139 million from commercial casinos.
The money is distributed through state aid formulas rather than as separate awards based only on where tickets are sold or wagers are placed.
Education analyst Robert Lowry said salaries and benefits account for roughly 70% to 80% of school spending.
Gaming Commission Chairman Brian O’Dwyer said sports wagering and commercial casinos could surpass the lottery as sources of education funding in the coming years.
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