Germany’s state lottery association, Deutscher Lotto-und Totoblock (DLTB), has released figures which reveal that despite the presence of COVID-19, the group has witnessed a 4.2% rise in lottery sales for the first half of 2020 to €3.75bn.
The figures released by DLTB also highlighted that the most popular game over the six months to 30 June was Lotto 6aus49, which accounted for €1.78bn of sales – almost half of the organisation’s entire sales total for the six-month period.
Meanwhile, its Eurojackpot title saw stakes rise over 35% to €815m, with GlücksSpirale seeing a further 5% spending rise to €121.6m.
Speaking to iGB, DLTB chair and Lotto Rheinland-Pfalz managing director Jürgen Häfner discussed how the group’s strong first half performance highlighted the popularity of lottery games within Germany, noting how its successful half-year period has come despite the effects of COVID-19 which, in turn, had forced lottery sales outlets to shut temporarily.
He continued by explaining how the disruption caused by the health crisis was countered by DLTB’s loyal player base which continued either purchasing multi-week tickets where possible or migrating online.
Furthermore he stated that longer jackpot cycles increased interest, and in turn sales, of Lotto 6aus49 and Eurojackpot. He also noted that roughly 40% of state lottery revenue, totalling €1.5bn, was repaid to state governments in taxes and duties in the first half. “That means more than €8.2m flows to state budgets every day. That is money without which many things would not be possible in Germany,” he was quoted.
Regarding DLTB’s plans for the second half of 2020, the group has revealed that it will be launching an updated version of Lotto 6aus49, with the first draw due to be held on 23 September.
This revamp will see an increase in ticket prices from €1 to €1.20, thus allowing for bigger prize pools across all winning categories.
