Audit Reveals that California Lottery Shortchanged Schools by $36 million as Revenues Continuously Increased
In 1984 California voters decided to create the lottery for the sole purpose of generating additional educational funds. Throughout the years the lottery has increased its revenue, however; auditors have found that the funds attributed to education have not increased.
“The lottery’s revenue has more than doubled since 2010, rising from about $3 billion to about $7 billion per year. A decade ago, the lottery sent about $1 billion to California schools. In the 2017-18 state budget year, schools received $1.7 billion from the lottery.”
According to the new audit, $36 million are due to California schools for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. That is not all, the audit sheds light on expenditures such as $45,000 on food for 320 guests for one trade show.
“Tuesday’s report from State Auditor Elaine Howle found shortcomings with the Controller’s Office’s audit, saying the Controller’s Office “removed a significant finding” from a recent audit report and submitted a report to the Legislature that was actually written by the lottery. The finding was related to the $720,000 in agreements that the auditor found weren’t properly vetted.”
