Lottery sales up again

Monday, January 5, 2009
Lottery sales up again
Denver Business Journal

The Colorado Lottery said it recorded sales of $499.4 million in 2008, a new record.

The total was a 2.6 percent over 2007’s figure of $486.8 million, which also was a record.

The agency said it has recorded sales gains for five straight years.

Results for 2008 were led by scratch-ticket sales of $332.1 million, up from $319.2 million from the previous year.

Powerball and Lotto sales both declined from the previous year, however. Powerball sales were $104.7 million in 2008; Lotto sales were $42.3 million.

Officials attributed the decline in Powerball sales to fewer large jackpots.

There were seven Lotto jackpots in 2008, up from four the previous year.

Lottery proceeds mostly go to Great Outdoors Colorado, the Colorado State Parks, and the state’s Conservation Trust Funds.