Lottery revenue for fiscal year 2017 showed a decrease over fiscal year 2016 by $7.3 million or 1.1%. Total lottery revenue for fiscal year 2016 showed an increase over fiscal year 2015 by $33.4 million or 5.5%.
Powerball and Mega Millions sales are typically driven by the size of the jackpot. The lack of higher jackpots in fiscal year 2017 is the cause for the decrease in sales on these games. Changes to the Powerball game in fiscal year 2016 provided a few larger jackpots, which allowed for a significant increase in Powerball sales.
Instant products continue to reach record sales again this fiscal year. The increase of $3.6 million or 5.5% in fiscal year 2017 over fiscal year 2016 was mainly contributed by an increase in the production of $25 and $20 scratch tickets. The increase in sales for fiscal year 2016 over fiscal year 2015 of $11.3 million or 20.8% is due to the introduction of the$25 instant scratch ticket.
Sports lottery had a large increase in revenue for fiscal year 2017 over fiscal year 2016 of $6.7 million or 17.0%. Sports lottery has become increasingly popular in the last year. More sports retailers were added and twenty retailers were given permission to cash higher non-taxable tickets. Payouts for sports was at an all-time high, with players re-investing their winnings into more sports tickets. Sports lottery showed an increase in revenue in fiscal year 2016 over fiscal year 2015 of $1.5 million or 4.0%. Continued expansion of these products throughout our retail network during fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2015 has led to more awareness to the players of these products and a boost to the sales.
Source: State of Delaware
Image Credits: State Of Delaware