Published: January 25, 2019

Connecticut Lottery Corporation On-Track for Best Year Ever with Highest Two-Quarter Sales and General Fund Transfers in Lottery History

“We’re happy to continue our nearly 50-year tradition of solid contributions to the state of Connecticut with another strong period of sales and transfers to the state’s General Fund,” said Greg Smith, President and CEO, CT Lottery. “In the next half of the year, the CT Lottery plans to implement additional innovations and upgrades that will bolster our first-half successes. And we do this hand-in-hand with our nationally recognized responsible gaming efforts.”

Release Date:  January 25, 2019

Contact:  Tara Chozet, (860) 713-2696

Fax: (860) 713-2695

Web:  ctlottery.org

Connecticut Lottery Corporation On-Track for Best Year Ever with Highest Two-Quarter Sales and General Fund Transfers in Lottery History 
Keno Sales Also up Nearly 20% Over Fiscal Year 2018

ROCKY HILL, CT/January 25, 2019 – The Connecticut Lottery Corporation has closed the first-half of the 2019 fiscal year (July-December 2018) with sales up nearly six percent over the same period last year, with nearly $665 million in total sales. This strong half-year resulted in total Connecticut General Fund transfers of nearly $185 million, a $10 million increase over the first-half of fiscal year 2018. These sales and general fund transfers represent the best half-year result in the Lottery’s history.

The CT Lottery’s Keno sales also increased in the first-half of FY19, up nearly 20% over FY18, and sales for the Lottery’s multistate draw games were especially strong. Mega Millions and Powerball six-month sales totals were $48 million and $40 million, respectively -- $20 million more than last year, due in part to a $1.5 billion jackpot run in October.

“We’re happy to continue our nearly 50-year tradition of solid contributions to the state of Connecticut with another strong period of sales and transfers to the state’s General Fund,” said Greg Smith, President and CEO, CT Lottery. “In the next half of the year, the CT Lottery plans to implement additional innovations and upgrades that will bolster our first-half successes. And we do this hand-in-hand with our nationally recognized responsible gaming efforts.”

About CT Lottery:

Lottery sales benefit Connecticut's residents in valuable ways. In fiscal year 2018, players won more than $791 million in prize money and retailers earned $70 million in commissions. At the same time, the CT Lottery provided $345 million to support the valuable services and programs funded by the state’s General Fund including public health, libraries, public safety, education and more.  Since the Lottery began in 1972, our contributions to the General Fund have exceeded $9.5 billion.

The CT Lottery reminds the public that purchasers must be 18 or older.  If you gamble, use your GameSense.  For information about the CT Lottery, stop by any CT Lottery retailer, visit CTLOTTERY.ORG, join us on Facebook (facebook.com/CTLottery), Instagram (Instagram.com/ctlottery), Twitter (twitter.com/ctlottery), or call (860) 713-2700.  

###