Global lottery sales increase 3.8% in FY 2017 over FY 2016 Asia Pacific increased 7.4% Latin America 6.2%; Africa 4.9%; North America 6.7%; Europe 0.6%.

"We are thrilled to continue the Pennsylvania Lottery's modernization efforts with the launch of our new virtual sports brand, Xpress Sports," said Pennsylvania Lottery Director Drew Svitko. "Virtual sports games appeal to Pennsylvanian's passion for sports and, like all of our games, virtual sports games are supported by systems technology innovation. Our recent game entertainment expansion with Keno, iLottery and now virtual sports is already generating new funds to benefit older Pennsylvanians. Kudos to all those at the Lottery and Scientific Games who have worked so hard to introduce these new products to our players."

Legalization of sports betting in West Virginia has reached another milestone, with the issuing of the first sports betting licenses by the state Lottery Commission. That includes the first casino operator’s license, issued to Hollywood Casino, in Charles Town. “They are the first casino licensed to offer sports betting,” Danielle Boyd, legal counsel for the Lottery Commission, said Monday. “They are committed to going live at Charles Town and accepting bets on Sept. 1.”

“Generating more than $100 million for Texas veterans and their families is a major milestone that we are thrilled to celebrate,” said Gary Grief, executive director of the Texas Lottery. “In addition to generating more than $22 billion for public education in Texas, support for our veterans is at the core of the Texas Lottery’s mission. We will continue to work and collaborate with the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to provide support for veterans in our state.”

“With this new wager, Pick 3 players now have 27 chances to win with a single ticket, and Pick 4 players have 81 chances to win,” said Tom Delacenserie, president and CEO of the Kentucky Lottery. “These daily games have been popular ever since they were introduced in the Commonwealth, and these new features are definitely going to create more winners – which in turn will create more excitement.”

Also hitting a new high was Lottery aid to education, finishing the fiscal year at $3.372 billion, about a third of total sales

"Several new initiatives really helped push sales to this record-breaking level," said KLC President and CEO Tom Delacenserie. "An increased emphasis on marketing and in-store messaging, changes in prize structures that players really liked, and new measures implemented by our outstanding staff and retailers are the reason for this increase. FY18 was a year where we laid the groundwork for continued success, so we look to continue this growth pattern into FY19."

A former state prosecutor, Carey brings a wealth of experience in New Jersey government. He is a graduate of Seton Hall Law School, where he was an editor on the Law Review.

“It was a great year all around, and we couldn’t be prouder of the contribution that the Lottery and the casinos made to important state programs,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director Gordon Medenica. “It’s especially gratifying to see both the Lottery and the casinos growing simultaneously.”