Washington Lottery Sees Second Year of Record Sales

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Washington Lottery officials reported another record-breaking year in sales. The state lottery ended the fiscal year on June 30 with total sales of more than $535 million -- an increase of 4.8 percent or $24 million over its last fiscal year.

The increased sales meant lottery retailers across the state benefited, too. This year, more than $33.4 million was earned by Washington's 3,700-plus lottery retailers on both sides of the Cascades, many of which are local independent businesses.

Currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Washington Lottery was able to contribute more than $138 million to the state and its beneficiaries this year thanks to the record sales. Since it was established in 1982, the lottery has contributed more than $3 billion to the state.

"For 30 years, this agency has been able to provide support to some of the most important programs in this state, while also introducing games that are fun for our players," said Bill Hanson, director of the Washington Lottery. "We consider this a crucial investment in Washington State's future, and our entire staff is proud to celebrate another banner year."

The banner year is due in part to a focus on increasing player engagement. A record-breaking Mega Millions prize in March brought in new and infrequent players, while the lottery's Jackpot Awareness Program and the Department of Imagination encouraged Washingtonians to think differently about the lottery and to imagine bigger, according to lottery officials. 

The state's lottery offers consumers several types of games, including Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, Hit 5, Match 4, Daily Game, Daily Keno and Scratch.