Note: The following release was provided by the Georgia Lottery Corporation. – KtE
ATLANTA – The Georgia Lottery Corp. celebrated its 30th anniversary during a ceremony Wednesday at the Georgia State Capitol. Governor Brian Kemp hosted the event in his ceremonial office, welcoming Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin along with the Lottery’s education partners and special guests.
“For 30 years, the Georgia Lottery has opened doors for students and their families through its funding of both HOPE and Pre-K programs,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Thanks to this transformational state asset, generations of Georgians have enjoyed both a jumpstart on their education and affordable higher education opportunities. The impact of lottery funds is felt by thousands every day, opening doors to opportunity. We’re looking forward to a future as bright as the last 30 years for our Georgia Lottery!”
Since the first ticket went on sale June 29, 1993, the Georgia Lottery has transferred more than $26.5 billion to the state of Georgia for education.
“As we celebrate 30 years of the Georgia Lottery, we also celebrate the 4.1 million students and their families who have benefited from HOPE and Pre-K,” Georgia Lottery President and CEO Gretchen Corbin said. “Thank you to Governor Kemp, the legislature, our board, employees, players, retailers, business partners, education partners, and everyone who has supported the Lottery and invested in Georgia’s students over the past three decades.”
Since the Georgia Lottery’s inception, more than 2.1 million students have benefited from the HOPE program, which includes the HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant, Zell Miller Scholarship, Zell Miller Grant, HOPE Career Grant, and HOPE High School Equivalency (HSE) Examination Grant.
More than 2 million 4-year-olds have received a jumpstart on their education with high-quality, Georgia Lottery-funded Pre-K.
Celebrating the occasion with Governor Kemp and the Georgia Lottery were: Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Commissioner Amy Jacobs; Georgia Student Finance Commission President Lynne Riley; Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Greg Dozier; University System of Georgia Vice Chancellor Scot Lingrell; and the Georgia Lottery’s board of directors.
Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corp. has returned more than $26.5 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs, including Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s Pre-K Program. More than 2.1 million students have received HOPE, and more than 2 million 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.