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// PUBLIC GAMING INTERNATIONAL // July/August 2016
PGRI Introduction:
The New York
Lottery fiscal year ends March 31 and
so they have announced the results
of Fiscal 2015/2016, and what a year
this was! Overall revenue (including
Lottery and VLT) increased 5.8% to
hit a new record high of $9.69 billion,
yielding a record total of $3.3 billion
in net funds for distribution to public
education.
“On all metrics, the New
York Lottery continues to be the most
profitable lottery on the continent and
underscores the success of New
York’s smart gaming policies,”
said NY
Gaming Commission Executive Direc-
tor Robert Williams. Traditional lottery
games set a new record of $7.7 bil-
lion in sales in FY 2015/16, a 6.2%
increase over the previous year’s
$7.25 billion. This encompasses draw
games such as Mega Millions, Pow-
erball, Cash4Life, Lotto, Numbers,
Win 4, Take 5, Pick 10, Quick Draw,
and Instant Games. Draw game sales
grew to $3.79 billion in FY 2015/16
from $3.49 billion in 2014/15, an in-
crease of 8.6%. Instant “scratch-
offs” games grew to $3.91 billion in
FY 2015/16 from $3.76 billion the
prior year, an increase of 4%. VLT net
win increased by 4.3% with a record
$1.98 billion in FY 2015/16. The NY
Lottery’s contribution represents 14%
of the state’s total aid to education in
local school districts.
What makes these results so impres-
sive is that the NY Lottery is one of the
most highly developed market-plac-
es in the U.S. Sales increased from a
performance base-line that is already
the largest in traditional lottery sales
($7.7 billion which is 25% higher than
the second highest), one of the most
highly penetrated (at $378 per capita
sales for traditional lottery games, the
third highest in the U.S.), and one of
the most mature lotteries (started 49
years ago in 1967).
Over the past 27 years, Gardner
Gurney has served in many capaci-
ties at the New York Lottery including
its Director of Financial Administra-
tion, Administrative Officer, Director
of Operations, Executive Deputy Di-
rector, and Director. As the industry
’go-to’ person for matters requiring
the experience, wisdom, and de-
cades of successful leadership in the
country’s biggest lottery, Mr. Gurney
applies a no nonsense practicality
PUBLIC GAMING
INTERVIEWS
Gardner
GURNEY
Director of the Division of Lottery,
New York State Gaming Commission
Is it a “Growth Stock” or “Blue Chip Stock?”
The New York Lottery is the biggest and among the oldest lotteries
in the country. And it’s delivered 5.8% growth in FY 2016!
Marketing and promotions are as much about
logistics, operations, and the science
of demographics, as they are about creative
advertising and promotion.