Kentucky Lottery has announced that its sales in the fiscal year 2021 have exceeded previous records, making it the most successful year in the corporation’s history.
Sales up to June 30 totalled $1.59bn, up $382.9m from the previous 12 months whilst profits transferred to the state totalled $354.8m – $76.3m, or 27.4%, more than FY2020.
The proceeds fund different college scholarships and grant programs, like the KEES scholarship, which helps less privileged and high achieving students the opportunity to attend university.
The lottery says its highest-selling vertical was its scratch-off games, which finished the year at $961.7m.
However, online lottery sales grew the most over the last year, totalling $137.1m, a 204% increase from the previous year.
CEO Mary Harville attributes the COVID-19 lockdown to the online sales growth, explaining that players used it as entertainment whilst staying at home.
“I think during that period people re-discovered our games,” she said in a statement.
“They found they enjoyed playing — and kept playing. And now that things have reopened, players have stayed with us. Players say the number one reason why they are now buying tickets is that they’re looking for fun and entertainment. With a range of price points and game styles, and with increased awareness of our internet sales, we have something for everyone.”
The lottery expects FY2022 sales to remain steady, with the board of directors budgeting for a sales target of $1.59bn and budgeted income before the transfer of dividends $339.5m.
Harville added: “With what we were able to accomplish last year, everybody won.
“The Commonwealth and students won thanks to record-breaking proceeds we returned to the state. Our players won through prize levels never seen before, and our retailers won through the largest payments to retailers in our history.”
