ELLEN's LOTTERY BET EXPLODES IN SCANDAL!

Talk show accused of snatching vital cash from state’s schoolkids

ELLEN DEGENERES has been caught up in a scandal in which critics say a lottery giveaway on her talk show snatched much needed money from California’s schoolkids!

During a December broadcast, the 62-year-old TV host announced each Ellen audience member would receive a $500 bundle of the Golden State’s scratch-off tickets.

More than 30,000 Scratchers cards — with a face value of $212,500 — were legally given to the chatfest for promotional purposes, according to lottery spokesman Russ Lopez.

But some people think the gamble by starstruck lottery officials was a failed bet because the giveaway means less money from sales went to the state’s coffers for educating kids!

“This concerns me because, bottom line, the mission of the California Lottery is to provide supplemental funding to California public schools,” says State Sen. Ling Ling Chang.