Wyoming Lottery Debuts With $200K in First-Day Sales
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Wyoming Lottery Corp. saw $1,000 in sales per minute for its first-ever hour of ticket sales Aug. 24, and generated nearly $200,000 in total sales between noon and midnight on its first day of operation.
"We had a very good grand-opening day, showing the tremendous support that Wyoming residents have for the lottery," said Wyoming Lottery CEO Jon Clontz. "The credit also goes to the dedicated retailers, many of whom held their own launch parties."
ALF's Pub and Package Liquors in Cheyenne and KIKS Chevron in Evanston posted the top retailer sales at $2,050 each. The Holiday Stationstore in Sheridan, which sold the first lottery ticket, came in third at $1,079.
Mary Ogg, a 67-year-old grandmother from Sheridan, bought the first two lottery tickets at the Holiday Stationstore. She was chosen randomly from more than 27,000 entrants in a giveaway the Wyoming Lottery held to promote its launch. Ogg also won a 2014 Jeep Wrangler and free Mega Millions tickets for a year.
"I really did not believe that this was happening to this old lady," Ogg said.
Wyoming Lottery officials hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Holiday Stationstore that was attended by Wyoming Lottery board members, legislators, local elected officials, the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce ambassadors and the general public. Lottery mascot Yolo, a 6-foot-tall bright yellow jackpotalope, made its first public appearance to present Ogg with the keys to her new Jeep. The event also included a small community celebration with games, a barbecue and live music.
Sales of Powerball were highest on the first day at $130,578, with $108,910 coming from Powerball tickets and $21,668 coming from bonus Power Plays. Mega Millions sales totaled $68,034, with $49,979 coming from Mega Millions tickets and $18,055 coming from bonus Megapliers.
Powerball drawings are held Wednesdays and Saturdays, while Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays. Both drawings take place at 8:59 p.m. with ticket sales closing at 8 p.m.
More information about the new Wyoming Lottery is available at www.wyolotto.com.