Press Room

WASHINGTON'S LOTTERY ANNOUNCES SECOND YEAR OF RECORD-BREAKING SALES

More Than $138 million Contributed to Important State Beneficiaries Per Unaudited Results

OLYMPIA: Officials from Washington's Lottery announced another record-breaking year in sales, ending the fiscal year on June 30 with total sales of more than $535 million – a 4.8 percent or $24 million increase over last fiscal year. With record sales, Washington's Lottery was also able to contribute more than $138 million to the state and its beneficiaries.

Currently celebrating its 30th Anniversary, Washington's Lottery has contributed more than $3 billion to the state in its history.

The Lottery's primary beneficiary, the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account, received a record total of more than $121 million in contributions in FY12. These dollars allow for the continued efforts in supporting the needs of thousands of students across the state by making higher education more accessible and providing much-needed funding for early childhood education programs.

"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 Washington's Lottery. "We consider this a crucial investment in Washington State's future, and our entire staff is proud to celebrate another banner year."

Not only has the Lottery backed Washington's students, but contributions from the first annual Hometown Heroes Raffle provided critical funding for veterans in need. As a result of the raffle sales, more than $247,000 was contributed to the Veterans Innovation Program, a valuable assistance program that enables veterans and their families.

Increased sales mean Lottery retailers across the state benefit, too. This year, more than $33.4 million was earned by more than 3,700 Lottery retailers on both sides of the Cascades, many of which are local independent businesses.

Additional Lottery contributions allowed the state to fulfill a final payment for Safeco Field bonds, and a Stadium Debt Payment of approximately $10 million was made to CenturyLink Field and Event Center, representing a four percent increase over last year.

This banner year is due in part to a focus on increasing player engagement. The record-breaking Mega Millions prize in March brought in new and infrequent players but the Lottery's Jackpot Awareness Program and the Department of Imagination #ifiwon tactic encouraged Washingtonians to think differently about the Lottery and to imagine bigger.

For more information on Washington's Lottery and its state contributions, visit the Beneficiary tab at www.facebook.com/walottery.


WASHINGTON'S LOTTERY: Since 1982, Washington's Lottery has generated more than $2.5 billion to support important state programs including the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account. Money in the Pathways Account goes toward helping students achieve their higher education dreams and supports early childhood education learning programs. The state's Lottery offers consumers several types of games: Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, Hit 5, Match 4, Daily Game, Daily Keno and Scratch. For more information, visit www.walottery.com or join our online community on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walottery and follow us on Twitter @walottery.


Contact:Amanda Whitver
(Edelman PR on behalf of Washington's Lottery)
Office: (206) 268-2288
Amanda.Whitver@edelman.com

Contact: Arlen Harris
(Communications, Washington’s Lottery)
Office: (360) 664-4808
Cell: (360) 790-7087
aharris@walottery.com

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