By Kate Northrop
AUSTIN, TEXAS — In an announcement on Tuesday afternoon, the Texas Lottery revealed that sales of scratch-off tickets surged to $112 million from the previous week's sales of $95 million.
Revenue for scratch-off tickets during this week are up $15 million compared to 2019, a 16% increase. The boost comes after a month of weakened overall sales, mostly for draw games, that are likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The full report is available on the official Texas Lottery website.
A surge of lottery sales during a stay-at-home order is shocking, but some speculate that the growth is due to the release of relief payments beginning in mid-April. Spring lottery sales see a similar increase as income tax refunds are distributed.
Of course, only time will tell if this is the case. It is possible that the one-week sales jump could be a one-off instance.
Lottery spokeswoman Lauren Callahan stated that "the agency will continue to closely monitor the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on lottery sales."
According to the official Texas Lottery website, all Texas claim centers remain closed until further notice. Prizes of $599 or less may continue to be claimed at official Texas lottery retailers, while all winning scratch and draw game prizes up to $5 million should be claimed by mail. Prizes over $5 million must be claimed in person at the Texas Lottery Commission Headquarters in Austin by appointment only.
"The health and safety of all remains our top priority."
I'm sure the surge in sales had a lot to do with the federal relief payments. I recieved mine the Wednesday of the first full week the stimulus went out. My banks drive thru line was really long (all lanes), even the ATM line. For some the relief payment was an extra check. Scratch offs are the best bang for your buck odds to jackpot wise.
In Texas, Dollar General Stores have Quickticket, a unique scrather ticket for Powerball, or Mega Millions drawings. The player scratches the Quickticket to reveal their Quick Pick numbers. A different way to play Powerball, & Mega Millions in Texas.
Despite it costing $10, I do like that it automatically plays the lottery for you versus filling out slips or playing on-line and manually entering the #'s.
Sales are brisk where I purchase my tickets here in Southwestern PA!
The Texas Lottery should look to the UK National Lottery, to see how to enter the age of online sales. In the UK, millions subscribe to the UK Lottery online. The Lottery offers players the option to pay by direct debit, with prize money credited to the same bank account.
I wonder where does the lottery rank on the list of highest amount of revenue for Texas.