The Nation - News from Jan. 21, 1988

First-week sales in the new Florida Lottery totaled $95 million, wiping out the nation’s previous opening-week state lottery record set three years ago in California, Lottery Secretary Rebecca Paul said. Paul said the California lottery sold $80 million in first-week tickets. Florida’s total averages out to $7.79 for each man, woman and child in the state. The prior per capita record, also held by California, was $5.40. The record start means a $33-million boost for education. Thirty-five percent of lottery proceeds go to Florida’s educational system; the remainder goes to prizes and expenses.