PHOENIX, AZ--(Marketwire - Aug 2, 2012) - The Arizona Lottery closed out fiscal year 2012 with a record-breaking $646.7 million in sales, a double-digit 10.8 percent increase over the previous fiscal year and the highest amount in the Arizona Lottery's 30-year history.
As a result of fiscal year 2012's record Lottery sales, the State of Arizona received nearly $165 million in net profits, the largest transfer amount in Arizona Lottery history and an $18 million increase over the previous fiscal year. These dollars support a wide variety of programs: education, economic & business development, environmental issues, and health & public welfare.
Fiscal year 2012 marked the third year that every designated beneficiary received full funding as established by the Arizona Legislature.
"We are proud to report record-breaking sales during our 30th anniversary year," said Jeff Hatch-Miller, executive director of the Arizona Lottery. "Generating nearly $165 million dollars to support important state programs that directly enrich the lives of Arizona residents, is a testament to the Lottery's commitment, motivation and ability to provide new, interesting games players enjoy."
In addition to the Arizona Lottery's sizable contribution to the state in fiscal year 2012, Lottery retailers large and small earned a record $43.7 million in commissions.
Director Hatch-Miller credits much of this year's financial success to the introduction of $2 Powerball, the world record-breaking $656 million Mega Millions jackpot, a more than 9.7 percent increase in Scratchers ticket sales, and to the public's recognition of "How the Money Helps" players and non-players alike.
"One of the main objectives of the Arizona Lottery is to listen and respond to our players and deliver on their requests for bigger prizes and more winners," said Hatch-Miller. "We're now focused on the future and will be launching many exciting new products during the year ahead. I know these new games will be very attractive to both new and existing players. This past year was a record setter, and I fully expect the Lottery will produce sound financial results in the coming year, too."
FY13 New Product Offerings
The Arizona Lottery's fiscal year 2013 product lineup includes an exciting new draw game called Weekly Winnings, which offers a top prize of $1,000 per week (taxes paid) for an entire year. Weekly Winnings will be introduced on September 23 and will have a prize structure unlike any other draw game currently being offered. Tickets will cost $2 each, with drawings on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The Arizona Lottery also has plans for a variety of innovative new Scratchers games this year. Last month, a new Bejeweled® Scratchers ticket launched, which is expected to be extremely popular with players. It offers four second chance drawings for a seven-day Caribbean cruise for two.
A full family of Holiday Scratchers tickets will be available this holiday season. Scheduled to come out in October, Holiday Scratchers tickets make great stocking stuffers and are the perfect gift for the person who has everything.
In response to the recent popularity of the $5 Arizona Black Limited ticket, a sleek new Black Scratchers Series will be introduced in January. The tickets will range in price and will include second chance drawings, which will offer more than 100 cash prizes ranging in value from $100 to $500,000.
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 -- over $3 million per week -- fund a variety of state programs. Since July 1981, the Arizona Lottery has paid out more than $5 billion in prizes to players, over $2.8 billion in net profit to the state and almost $591 million in commissions to retailers.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Jennifer Adler
E.B. Lane
(602) 417-1594