Georgia lottery surpasses $14 billion for education

ATLANTA — After a record breaking six months, the Georgia Lottery has passed $14 billion raised for educating Georgia's students.

In the first half of fiscal year 2013, from July 1 2012 through Dec. 31 2012, Georgia Lottery's profits were $450,483,000, more than $30 million more compared with the same time period last year.

The Georgia Lottery said the profits were boosted by a record $587.5 million Powerball jackpot in November.

"Our fiscal year is off to a strong start, which is important for the lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship and Pre-K programs," said Georgia Lottery President and CEO Debbie D. Alford. "We are committed to our mission of maximizing dollars for HOPE and Pre-K, knowing that Georgia's students and families are the ultimate winners."

WSBTV