Published: August 10, 2023

Ohio Lottery Transfers Record $1.46 Billion Profit to Lottery Profits Education Fund

Thursday, August 3, 2023

CLEVELAND –  The Ohio Lottery finished the fiscal year breaking records in multiple categories including a record $1.46 billion transfer to the Lottery Profits Education Fund, which supports K through 12, vocational, and special education programs in Ohio.
           
The Lottery recorded a record-breaking $4.5 billion in traditional lottery sales, beating a record set in FY21 by $133.5 million. The fiscal year marked another milestone with profits generated from traditional lottery  games exceeding $1 billion for the first time ever.
 
Scratch-offs led the way with record-breaking sales of $2.34 billion. The record is $51.2 million over the previous fiscal year. Ohio Lottery holiday game sales hit a record $148.8 million, surpassing the previous year by $2.7 million. The $10 scratch-off Holiday 50X the Money and $20 scratch-off Merry Multiplier drove holiday game sales. 
 
For the third time in Lottery history, draw-based game sales surpassed $2 billion, with FY23 sales reaching $2.1 billion exceeding the previous fiscal year by $114 million. Record-setting Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots helped lift draw-based game sales, adding $214 million.
 
The seven racinos had a good year as well. Net win from the video lottery terminals (VLT) was $1.35 billion, which resulted in total profit from VLT games of $453 million.
 
“This record-breaking year is a testament to the innovative work being done every day at the Ohio Lottery and across our retail network. We look forward to bringing new games to our players as we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2024,” Ohio Lottery Director Michelle Gillcrist said.  
 
Notably, Ohio Lottery retailers earned over $290 million in bonuses and commissions and Ohio Lottery players won over $2.9 billion in prizes.
 
The fiscal year also brought 120 new retail locations to the network with the addition of the United Dairy Farmers chain. In addition, Lottery Sports Gaming in January 2023 added 939 new locations to the retail network. The Lottery’s share of revenue from Lottery Sports Gaming was $140,000 from January through June. 
 
All figures are preliminary and unaudited.  Audited figures are expected to be released in October. 
 
Information on VLT revenue can be found here:
http://www.ohiolottery.com/About/Financial/VLT-Revenue
 
Information on Sports Gaming revenue can be found here:
Sports Gaming Revenue :: The Ohio Lottery
 
ABOUT THE OHIO LOTTERY:
The Ohio Lottery has contributed over $31 billion to education since 1974. For more information about the Ohio Lottery and its contribution to education, visit
www.ohiolottery.com/supportingeducation.
 

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