"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."

KENTUCKY LOTTERY AGAIN BREAKS SALES AND DIVIDEND RECORDS IN FY18

For the second year in a row, sales of Kentucky Lottery tickets have exceeded a billion dollars in a single fiscal year.

For FY18 which ended June 30, overall lottery sales were $1,042,512,000. This is the largest sales figure in Kentucky Lottery history, and is a $42 million (4.2%) jump over last year's record-breaking number.

Scratch-off tickets once again were the largest individual game category, finishing the year at $613.1 million. This is a $9.3 million (1.5%) increase from the previous year. Mega Millions saw the largest percentage increase of any game, rising 36.9% ($10.7 million) to $39.8 million. The increase was due in large part to several large jackpot runs over the course of FY18. Powerball also saw solid jackpot performance, helping that game realize $77.9 million in sales (up 8.0%).

Daily draw games continued to perform strongly, as Pick 3 sales rose to $149.7 million (up 3.0%) and Cash Ball 225 sales rose to $11.5 million (up 10.7%). Pick 4 sales declined slightly to $43.5 million (down 2.6%).

Keno continued its positive growth trend, ending the year with $82.8 million (up 9.3%). iLottery internet sales also rose from $5.2 million in FY17 to $10.2 million in FY18.

"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."

Transfers to the Commonwealth were also at a record level - $262.8 million, an increase of $11.2 million.

 - www.kylottery.com<http://www.kylottery.com> -


The Kentucky Lottery has earned more than $5.1 billion for the Commonwealth since 1989.  KLC dividends pay for college scholarships, grants and literacy programs. Visit www.kheaa.com<http://www.kheaa.com> to find out more about grants and scholarships paid for by the KLC.