PHOENIX (Aug. 31, 2010) — The Arizona Lottery closed out the 2010 fiscal year with a record-breaking $551 million in sales — the highest amount in the Lottery’s history and a 13.8 percent increase over the previous fiscal year.  Nationally, the Arizona Lottery ranks No. 1 in the country in the percentage increase of overall lottery sales.

As a result of 2010 lottery sales, the state of Arizona received nearly $142 million in net profits. These dollars will fund a wide variety of public projects and programs, including healthcare, wildlife, homeless programs, economic development and education in cities and towns throughout all 15 Arizona counties.

“We are proud to report these record-breaking sales figures, particularly at a time in our state’s history when every dollar counts,” said Jeff Hatch-Miller, executive director of the Arizona Lottery. “Raising almost $142 million in revenue for the state bodes well for our future performance.  The Arizona Lottery is committed to its mission of generating revenues that directly impact and improve the quality of life for all our citizens.”

Don Cardon, Director of Arizona’s Department of Commerce, recently stated, “This support [of the Arizona Lottery] has proven critical in the current economy in order to continue the Arizona Commerce and Economic Development Commission’s (CEDC)  wide array of economic development activities, including fostering economic sustainability programs in rural commercial districts, start-up funding for research and development institutes associated with Arizona’s university core competencies, securing loans to businesses expanding or relocating in Arizona, and developing the technology foundation that enables all businesses in Arizona to grow and prosper.” 

Mark Holleran, executive director of Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) stated in support of the Arizona Lottery, “In an unprecedented time of declining resources and increasing need in our communities, the support from the Arizona Lottery played a vital role in allowing service providers to continue delivering critical emergency and transitional shelter and supportive services to thousands of homeless men, women and children throughout our state”

In addition to revenue for the state, Lottery retailers large and small earned a sizeable $37 million in commissions.  

Director Hatch-Miller credits much of this year’s financial success to the continued success of the $100 Million Cash Spectacular instant ticket and the introduction of new products such as the national drawing game, Mega Millions, as well as notable changes to Scratchers games that now offer bigger prizes, higher payouts and more winners.

“The Arizona Lottery has been and continues to be a great partner to the Retail Food Industry in Arizona.  Jeff and his team are constantly looking for ideas to drive sales and keep the Lottery games exciting,” writes Paul Bancroft-Turner, Marketing Coordinator for the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance.  “Even in today’s tough economy, Lottery sales continue to grow and Arizona Food Retailers appreciate their effort.”

Hatch-Miller said that the Arizona Lottery has begun working aggressively toward meeting next year’s revenue goals for programs established by the Arizona Legislature, and introducing new, innovative products, partnerships and industry technology that will continue to deliver sound results for Arizona Lottery beneficiaries throughout the state. To learn more, visit www.arizonalottery.com., www.Facebook.com/ArizonaLottery or www.Twitter.com/AZLottery.

PHOENIX (Aug. 31, 2010) — A winner has come forward to claim her $250,000 prize from the Mega Millions drawing last Friday, August 27.

The winner, who requested to remain anonymous, purchased the ticket at the Circle K located at 4900 W. Ina Rd. in Tucson. 

“I am going to use the money to pay my bills,” said the winner, who discovered she won while reading the morning newspaper.

“We are pleased to be able to award such a large Mega Millions prize to one of our own residents,” said Jeff Hatch-Miller, executive director of the Arizona Lottery. “With nine ways for players to win, Mega Millions is quickly becoming one of our most popular games.”

Drawings for Mega Millions are broadcast Tuesday and Friday during the 10 p.m. news on Channel 15 (ABC) in Phoenix and Channel 13 (CBS) in Tucson.      

Players can check their numbers by logging onto www.ArizonaLottery.com or by calling the winning numbers hotlines at 480-829-PICK in Phoenix and 1-800-499-3798 in all other Arizona areas.  Players can also opt-in to receive winning number text alerts by texting “AZLOT” to 411247.

Players must be 21 years or older to purchase or redeem tickets. Overall odds vary by game. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, these materials may be made available in an alternate format. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-NEXT STEP.  Please Play Responsibly. ™

If you’re looking for something new and are at least 21 years of age, look no further.  Each month, the Arizona Lottery introduces new ScratchersSM games for our players. On Tuesday, September 7, the following Scratchers games will be available:

• Blackjack Bonus – this $1 ticket offers a top prize of $2,500
   
• Golden Spin – this $2 ticket offers a top prize of $10,000
   
• The Price if Right® – this $5 ticket offers a top prize of $50,000

The Price is Right is a registered trademark of FremantleMedia Operations BV. Licensed byFremantleMedia Enterprises. www.fremantlemedia.com

We hear exciting stories and see smiling faces every day as we greet our winners and hand out checks. August was a great month for our players with more than $23.3 million in prizes!
 

Different types of Lottery players win with Arizona Lottery Scratchers. Some play on a regular basis, while others—like James Thomson—only play occasionally.  In fact, he usually plays $2 Scratchers, but sometimes purchases $5 tickets.  However, when he went to pay for his purchase at a store, he happened to see Magnificent 7’s displayed at the counter.  Since he hadn’t played it before, and it was a $5 ticket, he purchased one and waited until he got home to scratch it.  Evidently, it was the right time for him to buy a ticket.

After James scratched the ticket and saw the $50,000 prize, he checked the ticket about 20 times to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.  Then, he called his wife, who was still at work, to tell her the good news.  Of course, she didn’t believe him.  When she came home, he had her check the ticket.  At that point, neither one of them had any doubts about it being a $50,000 winner, and he immediately signed the back of the ticket.  (Note:  An unsigned winning ticket is like a bearer bond; whoever signs it and has matching identification is considered the owner.)

James and his wife sat down that evening and discussed how they were going to use their winnings.  Their first priority was going to be to pay off bills and then save the rest. At that point, they hadn’t planned to tell anyone in their family.

James, who works in the construction field, loves to relax by watching sports and doing a little work in the backyard.  Regarding his win, he said, “You just never know when you’re going to win.” 

To see more Lottery winners, click here.

The Pick™ and Powerball™ drawings are held Wednesday and Saturday evenings.  Mega Millions™ drawings are held Tuesday and Friday evenings.  Pick 5™, CA$H4™, 2by2™, and Pick 3™ drawings are held Monday through Saturday evenings.  For more information, visit the individual game pages.

The drawings are broadcast during the 10 p.m. news on Channel 15 (ABC) in Phoenix, Channel 13 (CBS) in Tucson, and in Spanish on Univision Arizona.