On April 7, the Wyoming Lottery Corporation transferred over $1 million to the Wyoming State Treasurer’s Office as a part of their ongoing effort to support Wyoming communities. WyoLottoTM has prioritized giving back to Wyoming, and these funds are distributed to Wyoming’s 99 cities and towns and 23 counties. This was WyoLotto’s fifth transfer to the state.
Each quarter, WyoLotto transfers revenue to the Wyoming State Treasurer’s Office, which then distributes funds per state statute. The revenue transfer this quarter, totalling $1,007,000, brings WyoLotto’s total revenue transfer amount to $4,474,000 since April 2016.
“We believe in being a part of the Wyoming community, especially through becoming an additional funding stream for the Cowboy State. This is a top priority according to the statute, and we take it very seriously,” said Jon Clontz, WyoLotto CEO.
Revenue transfers are distributed each year by the State Treasurer to Wyoming’s cities, towns, and counties, which use these funds at their discretion for a range of local improvements. Starting July 1, the formula the state has been using to distribute those funds will change; historically, distributions were based on sales tax distribution but will now be based on lottery ticket sales for each county.
Also, prior to the passage of a new bill in the 2017 legislative session, if revenue transfers exceeded $6 million in a fiscal year, those funds would have been directed to the Wyoming Permanent Land Fund’s Common School Account. The new bill removed the $6 million measure, so all funds will now be solely directed to Wyoming communities.
The additional funds from WyoLotto have benefited Wyoming in a time of declining economies and have boosted projects in communities like Campbell County, which has received $147,433 so far. Campbell County has allocated the WyoLotto transferred monies to their general fund to supplement the holes left in their budget from a declining coal industry in the area. For details on distribution amounts to Campbell County and all Wyoming communities, please visit the State Treasurer’s Office website.
One community, Laramie County, decided to take the funds and set them aside; they’ve now accumulated to more than $171,000. The Laramie County Commissioners recently approved improvements at the Archer Complex, which is a multi-use facility and home to the Laramie County Fair, for the water system and add 120 RV camper spots.
“We are extremely grateful for these additional lottery funds because it gives the opportunity to do great projects,” explained Laramie County Commissioner County Commissioner Amber Ash.
“We have documented proof of the advantages these funds are providing to the state. Wyoming is benefiting from these funds, and the additional money is staying here because players now stay in Wyoming to spend money they were previously spending across state lines,” Clontz added, “We encourage our fellow Wyomingites to reach out to their local governments, get involved, and find ways to use these funds that create a lasting change. It warms my heart to see the benefits of this money come to fruition,” Clontz added.
WyoLotto offers four unique draw games to players including Cowboy DrawⓇ, Mega MillionsⓇ, PowerballⓇ, and the new Lucky for LifeⓇ. With the introduction of Lucky for Life, the state’s newest draw game, WyoLotto looks forward to building on the success that has made these transfers possible.
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