Led by scratch-off tickets, July lottery sales continue momentum

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – In Friday’s meeting of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation’s board of directors, it was announced sales for the first month of Fiscal Year 2022 remained on the strong path from FY21.

July sales totaled $138.2 million, which is $13.8 million or 11.1% more than last year and $4.1 million or 3.1% more than budget. Net income totaled $26.8 million, which is $1.8 million or 6.4% less than last year and $880,000 or 3.2% less than budget. The decline in net income was driven by higher-than-expected prize payouts.

Leading the way in sales for the month were Scratch-off tickets, finishing the period with $83.7 million in sales.

This is $6.2 million or 8.0% more than the same month last year, and $2.3 million or 2.8% more than budgeted.

Five new scratch-off games were launched mid-month, which contributed to the sales growth.

Draw game sales also exceeded last year, with the largest percentage jump from the Lucky for Life game, which has a top prize of $1,000 a day for life.

“In the time we’ve been selling the multi-state Lucky for Life game, drawings were held twice a week,” said Kentucky Lottery President and CEO Mary Harville. “In July the game expanded to drawings seven days a week, and players responded well. We saw an 18.5% jump in sales to $769,000 for the month compared to July last year, and anticipate the game will continue to grow.”

iLottery Instant Play sales totaled $13.7 million, which is $7.3 million or 113.1% more than last year and $748,000 or 5.8% more than budget. This was the fourth highest sales month for Instant Play games.

In other business, the board approved rules and regulations for 10 Scratch-off tickets and approved new or amended rules for six Instant Play games.