It was conceived in hard times and has stoked million-dollar dreams. Since 1982, people have played Washington’s lottery hoping for quick riches. Last year, sales topped $491 million — about $48.5 million in Snohomish County alone. Millions of dollars came back in prizes, but losses outpaced winnings — enough to cost the average person in the county about $24.
Where the state lottery money goes
Click on the image below to see where the money spent on lottery tickets went in 2010:
* In the graphic above, Washington State Lottery sales ($491 million in 2010) do not equal the amount spent on overhead and earmarked for government programs ($508 million). After a jackpot drawing or scratch game ends, players have 180 days to claim prizes. Some prizes are collected after the time frame the state uses in its fiscal year accounting.
Where the winnings went
Click on the image below to see which games paid out the most prize money in Snohomish County in 2010:
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