The Kentucky Lottery has broken a record for sales and cash transfers across the 2022 fiscal year. It announced that, from July 2021 through June 2022, total sales reached over $1.7bn – a 5.7% increase year-on-year.
Kentucky Lottery says more prizes were awarded in this period than any other in the Lottery’s history. A statewide favorite, the Powerball saw sales rise to $71.1m, while Mega Millions sales finished at $35.5m.
The largest individual game category was scratch tickets which made $963.5m. ‘Instant Play’ games saw the most growth – at 90.6% – to finish the year at $226.1m. Internet games (such as Instant Play) comprised 15% of total Kentucky Lottery sales for the year.
Players won a total of $1.152bn, which is $84.6m more than last year. Total cash transfers in Kentucky also increased by 1.7% to $360.8m.
State officials emphasized that cash transfers were essential for education in the Bluegrass State. The transfers fund college scholarships and grants, including the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES). The awards for these scholarships and grants will increase in line with the number of total lottery sales.
The College Access Program four-year program will increase grants from $2,900 to $5,300. Meanwhile, the ‘Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship' program will expand until students earn 60 credit hours or complete an associate's degree.
This program aids Kentucky residents who want to earn two-year degrees or certificates studying in-demand career fields. It previously only had the funding to cover four semesters of classes.
Kentucky Lottery President and CEO Mary Harville commented, “I think the public appreciates how these proceeds directly benefit people in their communities. So that means not only do players and retailers win, but our best, brightest and most deserving students do as well.”
