BOISE, Idaho (KTVB) -- As the Idaho Lottery celebrates its 25th year, today officials presented the largest dividend check in the history of the lottery.

 

At a Statehouse ceremony, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter accepted the check worth $49 million on behalf of the people of Idaho. Lottery officials say this is the eleventh consecutive record dividend, and comes during a streak of seven straight years of increased sales. With $208.9 million in sales, this year marked the first year that the lottery eclipsed the $200 million mark.

The annual dividends go toward Idaho public schools and the state's permanent public building fund. Otter presented the Idaho Department of Education and the Permanent Building Fund with checks worth $30.6 million and $18.4 million, respectively. The 25 year dividend return total is $649.5 million, lottery officials said.

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