Sales for the North Carolina Education Lottery have surpassed $3 billion since the lottery first began selling tickets on March 30, 2006.

This watershed sales amount was hit in two years and eleven months. Only four other state lotteries have accomplished this sales record in their first three years of operations -- Florida, California, Texas and Georgia -- according to a news release from the state lottery.

"Hitting this sales record in under three years is a testimony to the people of North Carolina who have supported the education lottery," said Tom Shaheen, executive director. "It is also a testimony to the staff of the lottery and the lottery retailers across the state who have been dedicated to making as much money for education in North Carolina as possible."

Lottery sales have grown steadily since inception. The lottery will add a Carolina Pick 4 game this spring, which will round out the complement of games and signal a transition from start-up to mature lottery.

From its inception through Dec. 31, 2008, the lottery has raised more than $918 million for education.

All of the net proceeds from the state lottery are used for pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk youth, reduction of class size in early grades, school construction and need-based college scholarships.