PHOENIX (August 2, 2012) — The Arizona Lottery closed out fiscal year 2012 with a record-breaking $646.7 million in sales, a double-digit 10.8 percent increase over the previous fiscal year and the highest amount in the Arizona Lottery’s 30-year history.

As a result of fiscal year 2012’s record Lottery sales, the State of Arizona received nearly $165 million in net profits, the largest transfer amount in Arizona Lottery history and an $18 million increase over the previous fiscal year. These dollars support a wide variety of programs: education, economic & business development, environmental issues, and health & public welfare.

Fiscal year 2012 marked the third year that every designated beneficiary received full funding as established by the Arizona Legislature.

“We are proud to report record-breaking sales during our 30^th anniversary year,” said Jeff Hatch-Miller, executive director of the Arizona Lottery. “Generating nearly $165 million dollars to support important state programs that directly enrich the lives of Arizona residents, is a testament to the Lottery’s commitment, motivation and ability to provide new, interesting games players enjoy.”

In addition to the Arizona Lottery’s sizable contribution to the state in fiscal year 2012, Lottery retailers large and small earned a record $43.7 million in commissions. 

Director Hatch-Miller credits much of this year’s financial success to the introduction of $2 Powerball, the world record-breaking $656 million Mega Millions jackpot, a more than 9.7 percent increase in Scratchers ticket sales, and to the public’s recognition of “How the Money Helps” players and non-players alike.

“One of the main objectives of the Arizona Lottery is to listen and respond to our players and deliver on their requests for bigger prizes and more winners,” said Hatch-Miller. “We’re now focused on the future and will be launching many exciting new products during the year ahead.  I know these new games will be very attractive to both new and existing players. This past year was a record setter, and I fully expect the Lottery will produce sound financial results in the coming year, too.”

FY13 New Product Offerings

The Arizona Lottery’s fiscal year 2013 product lineup includes an exciting new draw game called Weekly Winnings, which offers a top prize of $1,000 per week (taxes paid) for an entire year. Weekly Winnings will be introduced on September 23 and will have a prize structure unlike any other draw game currently being offered. Tickets will cost $2 each, with drawings on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The Arizona Lottery also has plans for a variety of innovative new Scratchers games this year. Last month, a new Bejeweled® Scratchers ticket launched, which is expected to be extremely popular with players. It offers four second chance drawings for a seven-day Caribbean cruise for two.

A full family of Holiday Scratchers tickets will be available this holiday season. Scheduled to come out in October, Holiday Scratchers tickets make great stocking stuffers and are the perfect gift for the person who has everything.

In response to the recent popularity of the $5 Arizona Black Limited ticket, a sleek new Black Scratchers Series will be introduced in January. The tickets will range in price and will include second chance drawings, which will offer more than 100 cash prizes ranging in value from $100 to $500,000.

NEW SCRATCHERS AVAILABLE TUESDAY, AUGUST 7: 

 

Instant Payday – This $1 ticket offers a top prize of $1,000.

Cash Stampede – This $2 ticket offers a top prize of $10,000.

Ca$h Blast – This $5 tickets offers a top prize of $50,000.

 

To see additional Scratchers, click here

Wheel of Fortune® - August Deadline!:

Enter the multi-state drawing for a chance to win a cash prize of up to $1 million. Deadline for entries is August 24.

NOTE: The Wheel of Fortune® ticket has sold out, but you can still enter the drawing using your existing non-winning tickets.

Bejeweled®

Enter your non-winning Bejeweled^® tickets for a chance to win a 7-day Caribbean cruise for two. Each Grand Prize trip includes airfare to Miami, Florida, a balcony stateroom aboard Norwegian Cruise Line, and $500 spending money. The first of two drawings takes place November 7.

James Clayton, Jr. of Mesa has a daily routine he doesn’t deviate from: he buys a Scratchers ticket on his way to work every morning.  He said, “A Scratchers ticket and a cup of coffee helps me settle, and then I’m ready for the rest of the day.” 

He started to scratch the Jumbo Crossword Scratchers ticket while he was in his car, then put it aside and began his commute to work.  While stopped at a light, he glanced down at the ticket and realized it looked different from others he’d scratched.  As soon as he could, he pulled over so he could stop the car and scratch the rest of the ticket.  At first, he only saw five red words, but as he took a closer look, he found the sixth.  He was so unsure and startled that he decided to return home and check it carefully; he knew that six red words meant the ticket was a $100,000 top prize winner .

James’ wife was concerned when he returned home, as she thought he was at work and he looked pale.  So her first comment was, “What’s wrong?”  He said, “I think I’ve won $100,000.”  His wife became so excited she began to scream, at which point their son came running into the room.  When he heard about the ticket, at his dad’s request he also checked it and agreed that it was indeed a winner.  James then called his boss to tell him he would be in later that morning.

It wasn’t until the amount of the win had been confirmed by the Lottery on June 20, 2012, that he began to relax a little.  They really hadn’t had much time to think about plans for their winnings, but James would like to pay off some bills, buy his wife a new refrigerator, and save the rest for retirement.  The winning ticket was purchased from the Cobblestone Auto Spa and Market located at 1855 S. Signal Butte Rd., Mesa.