The Colorado Lottery posted $518.9 million in sales for the fiscal year, which ended June 30, thanks to record sales of Scratch tickets and new Jackpot games. That figure represents a 3.5 percent increase from the previous year’s sales and the best Lottery sales performance on record. The Lottery also continued to generate significant funds for its beneficiaries, returning $113.4 million to the state to support open space conservation, wildlife protection, trail construction and other recreational efforts.
Scratch ticket sales were up 5.1 percent from previous year’s sales generating a record $344.9 million. Jackpot games sales were up .5 percent from previous year’s sales thanks to new offerings such as Mega Millions, which combined with other jackpot games generated $174 million. Total sales were up $17.7 million from FY10.
The Lottery’s proceeds partners – Great Outdoors Colorado, the Conservation Trust Fund and Colorado State Parks will receive the following contributions from sales of Lottery tickets in FY11:
• Great Outdoors Colorado: $56.0 million
• Conservation Trust Fund: $45.3 million
• Colorado State Parks: $11.3 million
In addition, the Lottery will return $662,230 to the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Fund.
The Lottery also returned more to players in FY11. In total, the Lottery paid out $328.3 million in prizes in FY11, compared to $307.7 million in FY10.
