By Alec Thomson, Arizona Lottery Executive Director
At the Arizona Lottery, our impact extends beyond thrilling games and life-changing wins—we’re a key driver of economic growth and community resilience. A major reason for our success? Our retailers.
With over 3,500 retail partners statewide, the Arizona Lottery plays a vital role in supporting businesses of all sizes, from local convenience stores to large chains. Our retailers are more than sales outlets—they’re ambassadors, helping connect players to the Lottery’s mission of supporting education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and economic development in Arizona.
Retailers are at the core of our distribution network, helping us generate over $1.52 billion in sales in FY24. That success translates into meaningful investments in Arizona communities—$314 million reinvested in vital state programs and $103 million in commissions earned by retailers, helping them grow their businesses and attract more customers.
We’re committed to giving retailers the tools and support they need to thrive. Through incentives, in-store activations, and promotions, we create opportunities to drive sales and foot traffic. Recent initiatives include:
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Holiday Activation Contest: Retailers who activated all holiday tickets within 72 hours were entered into a $100 gift card drawing. 115 winners were selected statewide.
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Sales Increase Contest: The top two retailers in each of Arizona’s 23 territories with the highest sales growth (both percentage and dollar increase) won $100 gift cards.
These contests not only reward retailer performance but also enhance player engagement, boosting overall sales. Similar activations are planned for upcoming game launches, further strengthening retailer participation.
The Arizona Lottery is embracing new technology to ensure retailers stay ahead of evolving consumer preferences. Our digital tools, like the Lottery mobile app and self-service vending machines, provide players with greater convenience while streamlining retailer operations.
In collaboration with Scientific Games, we’re rolling out enhanced self-service lottery terminals across the state. The PHD-S Vending Machine is a cutting-edge solution that:
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Supports up to 40 unique games (including Draw games, Fast Play, and Quick Draw).
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Features SCiQ® technology for improved inventory management.
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Offers multiple payment options, including cash, debit cards, and mobile payments.
We’re also working with Pollard Banknote and Schafer Retail Solutions to deploy Digital Menu Boards (DMBs) at 250 Arizona Lottery retailers. This new technology is working to drive sales, support retailer operations, increase awareness of products and promotions, and improve the purchasing experience for our players.
By integrating innovations like these, retailers can enhance the customer experience, increase sales, and reduce restock frequency—all while making Lottery purchases more accessible to players.
Retailers are essential to the Lottery’s success, and we remain committed to their growth. Whether through increased commissions, incentive programs, or technology-driven enhancements, we continue to invest in the future of Arizona’s retail landscape.
To learn more about becoming a retail partner or exploring how the Arizona Lottery supports local businesses, visit www.ArizonaLottery.com/Retailers. Together, we’re building stronger communities and creating new opportunities across the state.
