Scratch-off tickets continue to lead record Lottery sales

KENTUCKY LOTTERY SALES CONTINUE ON RECORD-BREAKING PACE

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) – Through 11 months of the budget year, Kentucky Lottery sales already have exceeded the previous year’s record sales, the Lottery board was told Friday.

Vice President and Corporate Controller Maggie Garrison reported fiscal year-to-date sales (July-May) totaled $1.45 billion, which is $379.4 million (or 35.3%) more than the same period last year, and $284.0 million (or 24.3%) more than budget.

For context, the Lottery sold $1.2 billion in tickets for the entirety of fiscal year 2020 which ran July 2019 through June 2020.

Scratch-off tickets continued as the biggest driver of increased sales, finishing the period at $880.6 million, which is $223.9 million (or 34.1%) more than the previous year-to-date. Garrison reported internet sales continued their explosive growth, with iLottery Instant Play games finishing the period at $105.5 million.

Total iLottery sales have increased $84.4 million (or 219.7%) from the same period last year. Garrison noted Instant Play sales are now the third highest sales product overall, behind Scratch-off games and Pick 3.

“The entire board is so pleased at how this fiscal year is shaping up to end,” said Board Chairman Mark F. Sommer. “To continue to set and break records like this in the face of the most challenging of circumstances is nothing short of remarkable. We appreciate and commend the hard and very effective teamwork of our staff and Lottery retailers to make this happen.”

In other action, the board approved the Lottery’s budget for FY22. The plan calls for a total sales goal at $1.59 billion. Income before transfer of dividends is budgeted to be $339.5 million.

President and CEO Mary Harville shared news that the Kentucky Lottery was ranked the 2021 Best Place to Work in Kentucky (medium-size company) by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management.

The award is given based on results of an employee survey of workplace satisfaction and an evaluation of policies, practices, and demographics. The Kentucky Lottery competed in the medium company designation of businesses with 150 to 499 employees.

“To have the designation as the best place to work in the entire state – even in light of circumstances no one ever could have imagined possible – is such a tremendous honor for all of us,” said Kentucky Lottery President and CEO Mary Harville. “We’ve worked hard to create an atmosphere that is a great place to work while at the same time shattering sales records. Those two goals can successfully coexist, and we’re now an example of that. The best interest of our employees has always been top of mind for us as we’ve navigated the challenging times of the last year, and it’s reaffirming to see our employees appreciating what we’ve been able to accomplish.”

In other business, the board approved:

• A contract with SGI/Optimove for a customer data platform, an email marketing solution and related services.
• The FY22 retailer incentive plan, and;
• Rules and regulations for 10 Scratch-off games and new or amended rules for six Instant Play games.

The next meeting of the KLC’s board of directors will be August 27, 2021. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. EST, and will be held at the KLC headquarters at 1011 West Main Street in Louisville.

The audit committee meeting will begin at 8 a.m. EST, as well as the procurement committee at 9 a.m. EST.