"This has been the Maine Lottery's best year ever, which resulted in a contribution of $62.3 million to Maine's general fund, the highest total to date," said Gregory Mineo, director of the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations. "These funds will provide revenue to support programs and services that benefit Maine citizens throughout the state.

Maine Lottery sets record for prizes awarded

The Maine Lottery recorded its best 12 months ever in the fiscal year 2018 that just ended, setting records for sales, prize money, commissions to retailers and funds transferred to the state.

Players took home a record total, before taxes, of $192.5 million in winnings from the lottery's draw, instant win and fast play games, Maine Lottery reported in a news release. Total lottery sales were $294.1 million, with retailers earning $19.4 million in commissions — both all-time high totals since the lottery was established in 1974. Instant ticket sales totaled more than $223.5 million, also a record.

Total sales in 2018 were almost $22 million higher than the previous high of $272,339,484.

"This has been the Maine Lottery's best year ever, which resulted in a contribution of $62.3 million to Maine's general fund, the highest total to date," said Gregory Mineo, director of the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations. "These funds will provide revenue to support programs and services that benefit Maine citizens throughout the state. In addition, more than $722,000 in revenue was provided to the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund to support wildlife and conservation programs in Maine, another benefit of the Maine Lottery."

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