NC lottery honored for education money increase

RALEIGH -- The North Carolina lottery has received an award because its net profits for education program increased by nearly 20 percent this past year. North Carolina Education Lottery executive director Tom Shaheen received the first "Sharp Award for Good Causes" by the Public Gaming Research Institute. The award was presented Wednesday at a lottery industry meeting in Oklahoma. The new award is designed to recognize the lottery that achieves the highest percentage increase in funds to its beneficiary. The North Carolina lottery saw net profits for education initiatives increase by 19 percent for the year ending June 30 to $414 million. Proceeds from the 4-year-old lottery go to reduce class sizes, expand preschool, help with school construction and provide college scholarships. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)