Springfield, Mo. – Missouri’s public schools are still tightening their belts even as the state’s lottery and casino gambling generate hundreds of millions of dollars for education. In fiscal year 2026 the Missouri Lottery reported $337 million directed to public‑school funding, while the state gaming commission said casino gambling contributed roughly $380 million. Sports betting added about $3.2 million through June.

How the money is spread

The combined $720 million is divided among more than 500 school districts across the state. Springfield Public Schools, for example, received about $11.4 million – roughly 3 % of its operating budget for the year. The district relies heavily on local property taxes, which account for about 60 % of its total funding, a share that exceeds most other states.

Officials point to deeper budget choices

“Our local school districts have to rely on property tax,” said Amy Blouin of the Missouri Budget Project. “We rely much more heavily on that local funding than other states, and it’s currently about 60 % of school district funding that comes from localities.”

State Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Republican, emphasized that budgeting is a matter of priorities. “What I’ve always said about budgets is, budgets are about priorities,” Hough said. “You can prioritize the future of this state, the educated workforce, or you can prioritize other programs.” He warned that lottery and gambling proceeds are not a “silver bullet” that will fix systemic underfunding.

Underlying shortfalls

The nonpartisan Missouri Budget Project estimates Missouri’s K‑12 schools were underfunded by $190 million in the current year. Blouin traced part of the shortfall to a series of tax reductions that have cut state revenue by more than $3.8 billion annually over the past decade. “That has a real impact,” she said. “It means our schools were not getting the required amount of funding this year, and they won’t likely get the required amount next year.”

Missouri also ranks near the bottom nationally for the share of K‑12 funding that comes directly from the state government, relying heavily on local property taxes instead.

What voters can do

Sen. Hough urged voters to make their voices heard. “They sent a message, I believe, to Jefferson City last week,” he noted, suggesting that public pressure could shift funding priorities.

Marijuana revenue goes elsewhere

While the article’s title mentions marijuana, none of the state’s marijuana tax revenue is earmarked for schools. Those funds support veterans, drug‑addiction treatment programs, and the Missouri Public Defenders System.

Looking ahead

Interviews with the Missouri Budget Project and Sen. Hough will be available on KY3’s streaming channels in the coming days, offering further insight into how the state plans to balance education needs with fiscal constraints.

Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.