Arizona Lottery Reports Strong Mid-Year Results

PHOENIX, AZ--(Marketwired - Jan 24, 2014) - The Arizona Lottery announced its mid-year results today, with sales pacing 7.8 percent over fiscal year 2013 and currently totaling more than $349.5 million.

The strong year-to-date Arizona Lottery sales are largely due to a 9.5 percent increase in the sale of Scratchers® tickets and a 4.8 percent increase in the sale of draw game tickets.

"The nearly record-breaking Mega Millions^® jackpot run this fiscal year, following the game's redesign, resulted in a huge increase of Mega Millions ticket sales statewide," said Jeff Hatch-Miller, executive director of the Arizona Lottery. "This surge in Mega Millions sales, along with the introduction of new products, heavily contributed to our strong mid-year sales figures."

The Mega Millions game was redesigned in October 2013 to have larger starting jackpots, faster-growing jackpots, a $1 million second prize and better odds of winning any prize -- all for the same price of $1 per ticket. Since the game's redesign, Arizona has sold two $1 million Mega Millions second prize winning tickets. The redesign of the game and the near-record jackpot has resulted in a 101.9 percent increase in Mega Millions sales over the same period last year.

In addition to the Mega Millions redesign, the Arizona Lottery launched several exciting new Scratchers tickets this fiscal year. The Neon series and tickets like Coffee Break Crossword and Golden Ticket were fan favorites this past fall. As always, a full family of Holiday Scratchers tickets was available during the holiday season. The Arizona Lottery MONOPOLY^™ Jackpot Scratcher, which launched in December and offers a Second Chance Drawing for additional cash prizes, also has been especially popular with players.

"Introducing innovative new products that appeal to our players is key to continuing this upward sales trend," Hatch-Miller said. "It already has been an outstanding year for the Arizona Lottery, and we take pride in delivering sound results for Lottery beneficiaries and retailers throughout the state."

As a result of these strong Arizona Lottery sales, the state of Arizona has received more than $77.6 million in net proceeds year-to-date. Arizona Lottery dollars fund a wide variety of public projects and programs that enrich the lives of Arizona residents. The Lottery focuses its support on four main pillars: education, health and public welfare, the environment, and economic and business development in cities and towns throughout all 15 counties in the state of Arizona.

In addition to the Arizona Lottery's transfers to the state this year, more than $215.3 million has been paid out to players in the form of prizes. Lottery retailers large and small also have benefitted from the record sales, earning more than $22.5 million in commissions year-to-date, which many of them rely upon to support their businesses.

Players must be 21 years or older to purchase or redeem tickets. Winners have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their prize at an Arizona Lottery office or by mail. Overall odds vary by game. All sales are final. In accordance with the ADA, these materials may be made available in an alternative format. Gambling Problem? Call 1.800.NEXT STEP (1-800-639-8783). Please Play Responsibly^™. Scratchers^® is a registered service mark of the California Lottery.

About the Arizona Lottery
The Arizona Lottery operates entirely from the revenue it generates through the sale of its products; it receives no General Fund dollars from the State. Proceeds from sales of Lottery tickets -- nearly $3.4 million per week -- fund a variety of state programs. Since July 1981, the Arizona Lottery has paid out more than $5.4 billion in prizes to players, more than $3 billion in net funding to the state and more than $638 million in commissions to retailers.