The Arkansas Lottery could have its funding changed by the upcoming elections.
A constitutional amendment will be up for a vote that could see lottery funds used to provide scholarships to technical schools and institutes for those seeking a career in industrial trades.
Amendment HJR1006 would take effect on Jan. 1 if it passes during the general election.
Arkansas is coming off its second-highest year of lottery sales in FY24. The state is aided in sales by having three lottery courier services operate within its borders.
Amendment would add funding to technical scholarships in Arkansas
The ballot issue looks to alter a 2008 amendment that allowed Arkansas to establish a lottery. In that amendment, it details funding being provided to help students in the state who are seeking two-year and four-year college educations.
This new amendment would add vocational-technical schools and institutes to that list.
It was proposed by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R-Springdale) and Sen. Jane English (R-North Little Rock). During a 2023 legislative session, it was decided that this issue would be put forth to the voters.
Lundstrum detailed the importance of the addition to The Arkansas Traveler:
“Getting started, just like any freshman college student, it’s expensive. The return on investment is amazing. For Arkansas, it will make us much more attractive for people wanting to bring in industry.
“Lottery scholarship has been very successful. It would open up a whole new avenue for people. They’re only going to be using it for six months or a year and then they’ll be out in the workplace.”
If the voters pass the amendment, how the scholarship funding will be dispersed under the new format will be soon established.
Over $1.4 billion raised for college education
According to the Arkansas Lottery, it has raised more than $1.4 billion in proceeds for college students since 2009.
In FY24, the state was able to contribute $129.2 million to the cause after reaching $613 million in total sales.
The state has awarded more than 770,000 Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarships thus far.
Currently, funding from the Arkansas Lottery goes toward four different college scholarship programs:
- The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship
- The Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship
- The Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship
- The Arkansas Challenge Plus Scholarship
Multiple couriers contribute to Arkansas Lottery
Arkansas is not among the states with online lotteries. However, it does have three different courier services available in the state.
Jackpocket, Jackpot.com, and Lotto.com offer online sales of retail Arkansas Lottery draw games.
Through these third-party sellers, customers can play the lottery online and still contribute to the Arkansas Lottery’s funding.
All sales that take place through a courier still help aid the lottery’s proceeds.
Most recently, Arkansas saw courier Jackpot.com enter the state in March.
Though FY24 didn’t see record sales, it marked the second consecutive year the Arkansas Lottery increased year-over-year production. The FY24 total was over $5 million more in purchases than FY23.
Photo by I’m friday via Shutterstock
Graphic from the Arkansas Lottery