Debra Douglas
BY DEBRA DOUGLAS
As I approach my retirement date of June 30 after serving on the New Hampshire Lottery Commission for the past 16 years, I realize there’s never been a better time to celebrate what the New Hampshire Lottery has accomplished — and we have got some big news to back it up.
As of May, the New Hampshire Lottery has contributed $3 billion to public education in the Granite State. That’s billion with a capital B — an average of nearly $50 million every year for 61 years. It is a milestone we are incredibly proud of and one that reflects a longstanding commitment to giving back.
For every dollar spent on New Hampshire Lottery products since our inception, 29 cents has supported public education, and 68 cents has gone straight to players in the form of prizes — that’s a total of $7 billion in prizes over our 61-year history. Best of all, we have done it with remarkable efficiency, as we have been able to run our operation with just 3 cents of every dollar.
But the story does not stop at dollars and cents. This is about impact. About opportunity. About making a real difference in the lives of students, families and communities.
Last year we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of the New Hampshire Lottery (known initially as the New Hampshire Sweepstakes) in 1964, the first state-run lottery in the nation. Keene State Rep. Larry Pickett spent a full decade trying to get a lottery off the ground. What finally got his legislation over the finish line in Concord was Rep. Pickett’s proposal to use net proceeds from the Lottery to fund public education.
Over the course of more than half a century, the way we play the New Hampshire Lottery has evolved — new games, new technologies and new ways to win. But one thing has never changed: our unwavering commitment to education in the Granite State.
And today, that commitment is stronger than ever. The New Hampshire Lottery has become one of the largest and most consistent contributors to public education, helping to shape brighter futures for generations of students.
Our support reaches deep into the heart of our communities. The funding we generate helps ensure every student has access to the resources they need to learn.
In 2024 alone, the New Hampshire Lottery contributed more than $207 million to education. That’s not just a number — it is new textbooks in classrooms, upgraded science labs, better technology and expanded opportunities for students who dream big.
This impact is real. It is lasting. And it is something we carry with immense pride.
Because at the end of the day, while the game may change, our purpose does not. We are here to make a difference — one ticket, one student, one future at a time.
For 61 years — and under the dedicated leadership of Executive Director Charlie McIntyre for the past 15 — the New Hampshire Lottery has evolved alongside the changing gaming landscape, always with integrity, innovation and public trust at the core of everything we do.
As gaming has become more sophisticated, so have we. We have implemented stronger controls, enhanced security measures and increased oversight to ensure every dollar is accounted for, every game is fair, and every player’s experience is safe and transparent. Our commitment to responsible gaming is stronger than ever.
At the same time, we have never lost sight of the people who make this all possible: our players. We have listened to them, adapted to their preferences and expanded our offerings to deliver fun, exciting and rewarding experiences. From nationally recognized games like Power ball and Mega Millions to regional favorites like Tri-State Megabucks, and our own home-grown offerings, such as KENO 603 and NH iLottery, to establishing ourselves as the premier sports betting destination in the Northeast, we have worked to ensure there is something for everyone, while always keeping our mission in sight. We are proud to be one of the country’s most profitable and fastest-growing lotteries.
And our role continues to grow. Today, the New Hampshire Lottery also oversees charitable gaming throughout the state, providing structure, transparency and support to ensure these games benefit the local causes and organizations that need them most.
Through it all, our goal has remained the same: to serve the people of our state with integrity and purpose, and to use the power of gaming to give back in meaningful, lasting ways.
While today’s Lottery looks very different from the Sweepstakes of 1964, the New Hampshire Lottery’s emphasis on integrity has never wavered. We will continue to grow and evolve, and we remain committed to maximizing our revenues in support of the education of New Hampshire’s kids.
Debra Douglas is the chairman of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission.
