Another record year for Minn. Lottery with sales of $560M
The Minnesota State Lottery posted its sixth consecutive year of record sales for the fiscal year that ended in June.
Lottery sales reached $560 million, topping the record set the previous year by $40 million.
Some big jackpots helped drive sales, said lottery director Ed Van Petten.
"Our scratch ticket sales have remained very strong," Van Petten said. "And then we had two real good runs in Powerball. And MegaMillion sales have increased. It's getting to be more and more popular. Just overall, everything seems to be solid."
About 70 percent of Minnesotans have played the lottery at some time, and about a third play the lottery weekly. Roughly 60 percent of the money they bet is paid out in prize money.
After prize and operational costs are deducted, the state will pocket about $139 million for the year that just ended. Proceeds go toward the state's environmental spending and general fund.
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