The Minnesota Lottery could see an impact on how its funding is used during the upcoming elections.
Voters will decide if funds generated from the state lottery will still be allocated toward the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF).
The fund has been supported by the lottery since 1991, but the constitutional commitment to it expires in 2025, thus requiring the vote for a new amendment.
Minnesota is not among the states with online lotteries. However, it does feature three different courier services.
These couriers sell Minnesota Lottery draw tickets online, helping contribute to the ENRTF in their own way.
What will be on the Minnesota ballot for lottery?
Minnesota voters will have their say on whether the state lottery will contribute 40% of its funds to the ENRTF.
When Minnesota residents head to the voting booth in November, they will see the following proposal:
“Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to protect drinking water sources and the water quality of lakes, rivers, and streams; conserve wildlife habitat and natural areas; improve air quality; and expand access to parks and trails by extending the transfer of proceeds from the state-operated lottery to the environment and natural resources trust fund, and to dedicate the proceeds for these purposes?”
The question will come with a “yes” or “no” vote. Should the resident elect not to choose, it will be counted as a “no” vote.
The vote isn’t just as simple as re-committing to the ENRTF.
A “yes” vote will also create a community grant program with 1.5% of lottery funds. That program would utilize funding to assist those disproportionately affected by agricultural loss, low income, wildfire risk, lead paint hazards, and linguistic isolation.
Should this amendment not pass, lottery revenue would go to the State General Fund, leaving its allocations up to lawmakers.
Conservation advocates campaigning for ‘yes’ votes
A group of over 130 businesses is campaigning together to spread the word to Minnesota voters, encouraging a “yes” vote.
In order to pass, the amendment will need a majority.
Marcus Starr, campaign director for Conservation Minnesota, told MPRNews that this should be something all sides can agree on:
“It’s really one of those things that no matter who you’re voting for atop the ticket, whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, everybody enjoys our outdoors, everybody likes parks and trails, everybody wants clean water. It’s really hard to be against this.”
Minnesota estimates that over 1,700 projects have been funded through lottery proceeds since 1991, totaling approximately $1.5 billion.
In fiscal year 2023, the Minnesota Lottery had $787.2 million in sales, which led to the ENRTF receiving $51.9 million in funding.
Minnesota Lottery utilizes three couriers for retail sales
The state of Minnesota has three lottery couriers operating inside its borders. They are Jackpocket, Lotto.com, and theLotter.
These third-party services take online orders for lottery draw games in Minnesota. They then go and physically purchase the retail ticket and provide that to the online customer.
It is unclear how many sales in Minnesota come through couriers.
Eilers & Krejcik Gaming reported that in 2023, less than 1% of US lottery sales were generated by courier services. However, in states where they are prevalent, that is a much higher percentage.
Couriers exist in 20 different states, currently.
New Jersey, which features four couriers, reported that about 10% of Mega Millions and Powerball sales in FY24 came from these third-party services.
Photo by Keshi Studio via Shutterstock
Graphic from the Minnesota Lottery
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