Microsoft Word document of news release

DATE: July 24, 2008
CONTACT: Sally Lunsford (785) 296-5708, sally.lunsford@kslottery.net

Kansas Lottery Records Second-Highest Year in Sales

TOPEKA, KAN. – Sales of Kansas Lottery products ended the fiscal year with the second-highest total ever. Sales in Fiscal Year 2008, which began July 1, 2007 and ended June 30, 2008, were nearly $237 million (unaudited). That’s the second-highest total on record, but a slight decrease from FY07 sales, which set an all-time record. As a result of the year’s sales, the Lottery transferred $70 million to the State in FY08.

Here’s a breakdown of FY08 sales, by game, compared to the year before.

Instant Games
FY08 Sales $115,082,105
FY07 Sales $114,674,052
+0.36%

Pull Tabs
FY08 Sales $7,593,607
FY07 Sales $9,382,750
-19.07%

Powerball
FY08 Sales $42,963,315
FY07 Sales $39,356,064
+9.17%

Super Kansas Cash
FY08 Sales $17,428,827
FY07 Sales $20,053,110
-13.09%

Pick 3
FY08 Sales $5,814,236
FY07 Sales $5,626,413
+3.34%

Keno
FY08 Sales $31,274,217
FY07 Sales $33,643,621
-7.04%

eScratch*
FY08 Sales $1,048,865
FY07 Sales $2,370,267
-55.75%

2by2
FY08 Sales $1,656,054
FY07 Sales $1,717,945
-3.60%

Hot Lotto
FY08 Sales $9,225,833
FY07 Sales $11,461,422
-19.51%

Kansas Hold'Em**
FY08 Sales $4,640,878
FY07 Sales $1,702,686
+172.56%

Online Coupons
FY08 Sales ($43,525)
FY07 Sales ($33,286)
+30.76%

Total Sales
FY08 $236,684,412
FY07 $239,955,044
-1.36%

*eScratch was discontinued Dec. 29, 2007
**Kansas Hold‘Em sales began statewide on Sept. 30, 2007

“Considering that the Lottery lost nearly 50 retail locations across the state last year, most of which simply went out of business, we feel that we did well to experience only a slight decrease in sales from last year,” said Kansas Lottery Executive Director Ed Van Petten.

Growth continued in instant scratch tickets, with sales up slightly over last year. The Lottery launched more than 100 new instant games in FY08, including its first two $20 tickets, and scratch tickets continue to be immensely popular with players.

The new monitor game Kansas Hold‘Em was also a bright spot. After test marketing Kansas Hold‘Em at a limited number of retail locations, the Lottery took the game statewide on Sept. 30, 2007.

Powerball sales were about nine percent higher than last year, but the Kansas-only game Super Kansas Cash was down about 13 percent. Pick 3 showed slight gains, but Hot Lotto, 2by2 and Keno were all down.

“We will continue to introduce new games to stimulate sales,” said Van Petten. “The Lottery expects to launch a fun new electronic scratch ticket in FY09, which we think will be a hit with players. We’ll also be developing new in-state marketing partnerships.”

In recent years, the Lottery has developed several games that promote Kansas businesses, industry and tourism by offering Kansas-made products and Kansas attractions and events as grand prizes in second-chance drawings. Since FY05, the Lottery has purchased approximately $2.5 million worth of products or services from Kansas business partners to use for prizes and promotions.

Profits from the sale of the Lottery’s Veterans Benefit instant games were $880,163 in FY08. Sales from Veterans Benefit tickets provide direct funding for the Kansas Veterans Home and Soldiers Home, the Veterans Cemetery System, and Kansas National Guard scholarships. Since 2003, the Lottery has transferred more than $3.8 million in net profits from the Veterans Benefit games. In FY09, the list of beneficiaries will be expanded to include the Museum of the Kansas National Guard.