MADISON, WI (WSAU-WXPR) -- Everyone benefits from lottery profits in the state of Wisconsin.
Department of Revenue officials say eligible homeowners can expect a hike in this year's lottery tax credit of nearly 15 percent, or around $24.
"It went from an average of $160 last year to an average of $184 this year. That is due primarily to the fact the lottery had a good, solid year," Spokesperson Patty Mayers tells WXPR Radio in Rhinelander.
She says that's mainly due to a couple of rounds of Lottery fever that captured the nation and state in 2019. The first happened in March when a West Allis man won $768 million playing Powerball. Several other nine-figure jackpots occurred over the summer and into the fall.
Mayers says residents should be rooting for stories of large jackpots even if they don't play multi-state games like Mega Millions or Powerball or any of the Wisconsin-exclusive daily games, because profits for the lottery mean tax relief for their pockets.
"Whether you are playing or not you will qualify and get the credit on your property tax bill. It's just one of those things where there's a return whether you're playing or not," she said.
The lottery credit distributed $271 million to eligible taxpayers statewide for 2019. Since its inception in 1988, the credit has paid out some $4.6 billion.
