BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Lottery will return over $18 million to public schools following a record year in which the gaming agency booked a $48.2 million profit. Director Jeff Anderson said Tuesday that fiscal year 2013's result marks the largest dividend in the Lottery's 24-year history — and $7 million more than 2012.

Besides education, $18 million will go to Idaho's permanent building fund, which helps build and maintain state buildings including at colleges and universities. And the state's bond levy equalization fund, which helps support school bond levies, receives $12 million.

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter praised the state-run lottery as a boon to Idahoans, saying it has exceeded expectations by delivering unprecedented support to the state's important institutions. The Lottery recorded $197.6 million in sales, 12.4 percent more than last year.

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