APRIL KY LOTTERY SALES BREAK RECORDS

Sales of lottery tickets in Kentucky just posted their highest level for the month of April in 29 years.

Overall sales for April 2018 were $91.9 million, a 4.9% increase ($4.3 million) from the same month in 2017. Scratch-off tickets made up a bulk of the sales for the month, seeing $57.8 million in sales. This is a 3.4% ($1.9 million) over April 2017 sales. Draw game sales were up 4.4% (from $24.2 million to $25.2 million), and Keno sales jumped 13.5% (from $6.9 million to $7.8 million). Instant Play games (online) rose 73% to $948,000.

Kentucky Lottery President and CEO Tom Delacenserie said numerous factors have led to the sales increase. "Our retailers have been tremendous in adopting the new programs and initiatives we've launched," he said. "New planograms, early activation of new games, specific media support for those new games and general increased awareness have been key to our success."

Delacenserie said the lottery's board of directors is set to review a proposed five-year plan at their next meeting in June, which will provide a roadmap for, as he described it, "continued momentum".

Looking forward, Delacenserie is optimistic about continued success. "I'm confident in our great lineup of products ready to launch in FY19. More vending machines are on the way, and continued targeted marketing for specific products and families of games will help sales grow," he said. "Students in the Commonwealth are counting on us to continue to provide much-needed college scholarship and grant funds, and we won't let them down."

The Kentucky Lottery has earned over $5 billion for the Commonwealth since 1989. KLC dividends pay for college scholarships, grants and literacy programs. Visit kheaa.com to find out more about grants and scholarships paid for by the KLC.