Florida Lottery Ushers in 25th Year; Continues Winning Sales Streak
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FLORIDA LOTTERY USHERS IN 25TH YEAR; CONTINUES WINNING SALES STREAK
~ New MILLIONAIRE Scratch-Off Ticket Rivals First Ticket Ever Sold; Helps Break First Quarter Sales Record ~
TALLAHASSEE – The momentum continues for the Florida Lottery. The first quarter of Fiscal Year 2012-2013 has proven to be the agency’s best ever, generating $1.1 billion in sales, which translates to $314 million in transfers to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF).
Transfers to education from ticket sales for this fiscal year are running ahead of the $1.35 billion projection made by the Revenue Estimating Committee. The EETF funds the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which has helped more than 550,000 students attend college. In addition, those funds also finance K-12 programs and school construction projects.
“By consistently generating strong sales, we are helping ensure that Florida’s students and families can continue to count on the Lottery as a dependable source of revenue for education. As we enter our 25th year, the Florida Lottery looks forward to offering new and exciting games with innovative ways to play,” said Secretary Cynthia O’Connell.
This successful run follows a record-breaking FY 2011-12 which saw sales reach $4.45 billion, the highest ever in the organization’s nearly quarter century of existence. Scratch-Off sales in 2011-12 broke the all-time record in Florida Lottery history as well.
The agency expects the special 25th Anniversary MILLIONAIRE Scratch-off ticket to continue the current winning streak. The launch of MILLIONAIRE marks the beginning of the “Year of the Flamingo,” celebrating 25 years of winning for Lottery’s players and more than $24 billion to the state’s education system. Ticket sales for MILLIONAIRE in the first week surpassed $13.9 million, making it the top selling ticket for opening week sales since the original MILLIONAIRE ticket, the first Scratch-Off ticket ever sold by the Florida Lottery. The first ticket ever sold by the Florida Lottery was a MILLIONARE Scratch Off ticket. It went on sale on January 12, 1988, and began one of the state’s most successful and rewarding endeavors: the Florida Lottery.
More highlights from the first quarter of 2012-2013 include:
Prizes to Players – The Florida Lottery will pay about $752 million in prizes to Lottery players during the first quarter of the fiscal year.
Retailer Commissions & Collections – The Lottery will pay approximately $61 million in sales commissions to Florida businesses during the first quarter of the fiscal year.
New Games – The Lottery launched 12 new Scratch-Off games during the first quarter of the fiscal year, including the Lottery’s 25th Anniversary Edition ticket, MILLIONAIRE, and four new CASH Family of Games tickets, with price points ranging from $1 to $25.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY
The Florida Lottery reinvests nearly 99 percent of its revenue into the state’s economy through prize payouts, contributions to education, and money paid to Florida retailers. In 2011, playing Florida Lottery games made 79 people millionaires. Since its beginning in 1988, the Florida Lottery has transferred billions of dollars to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund, investing in Florida’s future leaders through school construction, K-12 classroom support and more than 550,000 Bright Futures scholarships. The games of the Florida Lottery are designed to fuel excitement while funding tomorrow. For more information, visit www.flalottery.com.
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