As reported by CalvinAyre, the Kentucky Lottery has posted record sales of $1.2bn for the 12 months ending June 30, registering a 6.2% increase when compared to the same period in 2019.
Scratch-off ticket sales continued to be the dominant vertical in terms of revenue, generating $741m which in turn equates to a 10.7% increase compared to 2019.
However, the facet which registered the highest levels of growth came in the form of the operator’s online lottery, which posted a growth of 68% year-on-year to $45m. These figures in turn represent an eightfold increase when compared to its first full year of sales in fiscal year 2017.
The record sales posted by the group come despite the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kentucky Lottery’s digital unit, which accounts for 3.7% of all sales, was credited with helping the organisation fill the void during the lockdown that resulted in the temporary closures of lottery retail outlets.
The impressive results posted by the lottery have been reflected across a host of other states where online lottery sales are permitted.
The advantages of online lottery trading during the COVID period has seen other states such as Massachusetts move to legalise the vertical.
Earlier this week, the sports wagering bill put forward by the Massachusetts legislature was amended, with new details adding provisions to legalise online lotteries.
Designed to enable ‘partnerships for growth’ in the state, the bill set out a host of proposed measures including the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act, which in turn would legalise online, mobile and land-based sports betting in Massachusetts.
Through the amendments, which include the legalisation of online lottery sales, the bill has been consolidated and adopted by the House following a 157-1 in favour vote.
The inclusion of lottery will see players, who are required to set both maximum deposit and spending limits, given the option to self-exclude from online lottery. Moreover, operational and administration costs in running the online lottery product may not exceed 15% of ticket sale revenue.