PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- The Arizona Lottery has broken its sales record for the third year in a row after $1.439 billion in tickets have been sold. Lottery officials say its a 31% increase over last year.

In a news release, the state lottery reported that over $997 million in payouts have been issued to prize winners. Approximately $260 million have been transferred into the state-mandated beneficiary funds. And over $97 million have been given to retailers as commission. 

“The more than a quarter billion dollars that they’ve returned to over a dozen vital programs and services this year are educating Arizonans, housing the homeless, creating jobs, protecting our iconic wildlife and landscapes, and advocating for innocent children who find themselves caught up in the court system," said Arizona Lottery Executive Director Gregg Edgar in a statement.

Preliminary data released shows that nearly $38 million is going to the Arizona Board of Regents' University Bond Fund, which finances the state colleges and universities infrastructure and facilities. More than $22 million is going to Healthy Arizona to provide assistance to low-income Arizona families for nutritional programs. And about $11 million has gone toward state transportation projects 

Instant and draw games are available at 3,000 retailers across the state. More information on the state lottery can be found on ArizonaLottery.com