Arizona Lottery: Arizon Lottery increases sales 12% this yearPeople like Bob Haney of Buckeye are helping the Arizona Lottery ring up big sales this fiscal year - sales that were running 12.2 percent ahead of the previous fiscal year through three quarters.
Haney's not a big player, but a regular one "hoping for that big hit" on his favorite game.
"If you don't play, they can't pay," he said after buying tickets Friday at the Lottery's main office in Phoenix. "Just like the (slot machines) or something, you never know what's going to turn up."
For the Lottery, everything's turning up roses so far with nine-month sales through March of $273.6 million. Starting the fiscal fourth quarter, sales through April totaled $306.1 million against a forecast for the year ending June 30 of $310 million.
The strong numbers bode well for state offices that receive a cut of sales. That slice amounted to $95.7 million last fiscal year shared among seven state funds: local transportation assistance, county assistance, heritage, economic development, mass transit, general and court-appointed special advocate. The cut should exceed $100 million for the first time this year.
Powerball jackpots have helped to drive increased play, as have scratch-off ticket sales, which are running 12.5 percent ahead of the same three quarters last year.
"We're seeing a lot of strength come out of our scratcher line," Lottery Director Katie Pushor told the Arizona Lottery Commission at its monthly meeting Friday.
Helping drive scratch-off sales are new games, higher-priced games costing as much as $10, more advertising and a staff focus on keeping retailers well-stocked with tickets, Pushor said.
Combined sales of $3, $5 and $10 games comprised 31.8 percent of total instant sales, according to a Lottery memo. But $2 games remain the strongest price point, accounting for 53.5 percent of instant sales.
Interestingly, the sales strength is presenting "velocity" challenges as Lottery staff work to refill games flying out stores' doors, Pushor said.
The Lottery in August will introduce a $5version of its popular $2 Bingo scratcher, noted Karen Emery, director of game design and development.
"It's a different look," she said. Bingo Spectacular will have a top prize of $50,000, feature 10 player cards, new pattern, and extra "free" space on each card, according to a written report from Emery.
