North Carolina lottery ticket sales have generated more than $1bn for public education around the state. This is the first time North Carolina’s lottery has raised this amount.
Along with achieving this milestone, players around the state walked away with some of the highest winnings on record. So far this fiscal year, North Carolina’s lottery has paid out an average of $7.8m in winnings per day.
The state has awarded the largest number of prizes in a single year, with the total paid out winnings for the year reaching $2.8bn. According to the lottery’s report, players around the state received 91 prizes of at least $1m.
During the fiscal year, the state reached other milestones that include the highest number of lottery sales on record. The lottery has generated more than $11.9m in average daily sales, with total sales for the year climbing to $4.3bn.
This year, North Carolina surpassed the $10bn mark regarding funds raised for the state through the lottery since it debuted in 2006.
Retailers this year gained $295.2m in incentives and commissions.
North Carolina recently legalized sports betting and has targeted the first of the year as an opening date for the commercial market. State regulators have also moved forward to make play instant lottery games available to the public.
Once the market is established, the Lottery Commission will be permitted to award up to 12 licenses to operators statewide. Players would then have access to online and mobile betting, as well as in-person wagering.
Lobbyists around the state are encouraging legislators to add iGaming to the list of legal gambling options for North Carolina players, which would allow players access to online casino games through their mobile devices.
