News Release: Minnesota Lottery Dollars at Work
Minnesota Lottery Dollars at Work Here, There and Everywhere and Even at the Minnesota State Fair
State Fair Attendees Who Visit the Lottery or Environmental Beneficiaries Booths Can Enter a Free Contest to Win Great Prizes
ROSEVILLE, Minn. (Aug. 18, 2025) — The Minnesota Lottery has generated over $4 billion in the 35 years since the first tickets were sold, and almost $2 billion has been dedicated to protect and preserve the environment in every corner of Minnesota. Minnesota State Fair attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about how these funds positively impact their lives and get the chance to win great prizes.
State Fair participants are invited to enter the free Share Your Lottery at the Fair Story contest by sharing about their visit to the Minnesota Lottery booth’s new location at Underwood Street across from the Food Building or one of the environmental beneficiary booths at the Minnesota State Fair. All they need to do is take a photo at the booth and share what they learned about how lottery dollars help the state in their story in the online entry form and they will have the opportunity to win special prizes.
To commemorate the Minnesota Lottery’s 35th anniversary, the prizes include:
- Grand prize: $350 in lottery scratch tickets (Big Win tickets with a chance to win up to $500,000 and Outdoor Cash tickets with a chance to win up to $100,000) plus a cooler and t-shirt.
- Daily prizes (12 fair days): $35 in lottery scratch tickets (Outdoor Cash with a chance to win up to $100,000) plus a cooler and t-shirt.
Participants can go to Share Your Lottery Fair Story and learn more about how to enter the free Share Your Lottery at the Fair Story contest.
“Thanks to our players and retailers, lottery dollars are driving vital environmental projects in all 87 Minnesota counties,” said Adam Prock, Minnesota Lottery executive director. “Everywhere you look – lottery dollars are at work. They are here, there and everywhere. They are even at the fair where you can see firsthand the incredible efforts to preserve, protect, and restore our environment for Minnesota’s future.”
Through the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund—powered by lottery proceeds — approximately $1.1 billion has been invested in more than 1,700 projects since 1991. Some of the beneficiaries with Minnesota State Fair booths include:
- Board of Water and Soil Resources
- Minnesota Center for Prion Research and Outreach (U of M)
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Minnesota Department of Transportation
- Pollution Control Agency
- University of Minnesota
This marks the Minnesota Lottery’s 17th year at The Great Minnesota Get Together. The Lottery booth is a top non-food attraction at the fair – with fairgoers last year buying a record $891,000 in tickets.
About the Minnesota Lottery
Playing Our Part: Since 1990, the lottery has generated more than $4 billion for programs that positively impact the lives of Minnesotans. More than $1.8 billion has helped preserve, restore and protect Minnesota’s environment through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Game and Fish Fund and the Natural Resources Fund. Another $2.3 billion has helped fund state programs, including education, public safety and health and human services. Lottery dollars also support programs to help prevent and treat problem gambling. For more information, visit www.mnlottery.com.
Contact:
Minnesota Lottery, Joan Schimml, 612-790-2685, communications@mnlottery.com