Kentucky Lottery reports record sales, dividend

Monday, July 24, 2006 posted 10:46 AM EDT

The Kentucky Lottery Corp. has reported record ticket sales and the payment of a record dividend to the state for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

Brisk sales during the run-up to two huge Powerball jackpots and increased play of scratch-off games were primarily responsible for the good numbers, lottery officials said.

The figures confirm sales and state-dividend forecasts that the corporation announced last spring.

For 2005-06, the lottery had sales of $742.3 million, or $17 million more than the previous record set two years ago, and $35 million more than in 2004-05.

For the fiscal year, the lottery returned just over $200 million to the state, exceeding the previous mark of $193.5 million two years ago. Lottery proceeds are used for college scholarships, grants and literacy programs.

Lottery officials said heavy ticket sales during two Powerball runs were a factor. The jackpot was $340 million in October and $365 million in February.

The sale of scratch tickets last fiscal year totaled $404.9 million, an increase of nearly 20 percent over the previous year. Lottery officials have put on the market instant games that sell for up to $20, and many of the scratch games have relatively high prize payouts.

Lottery officials also said they are pleased with sales of the Win for Life game that started in March, replacing Lotto South. Win for Life sales have been averaging about $50,000 more a week than Lotto South sales had been running.

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