Florida lottery tickets now available at Kmart

Currently twenty-seven Kmart stores in the Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples and Miami area are full-service Lottery retailers, equipped with Lottery terminals and Scratch-Off game inventory. In the coming weeks, additional Kmart stores from Orlando to Miami will become Lottery retailers, followed by stores located in North Florida and the panhandle later this summer.

"Florida Lottery welcomes Kmart as the newest corporate partner in our network," said Florida Lottery Secretary Leo DiBenigno. "With the broad array of products available at Kmart stores, adding Florida Lottery ticket sales provides customers with a convenient one-stop shopping experience – an added benefit for consumers in these days of record-high gas prices."

Kmart, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:SHLD), is a mass-merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands and labels. Though floor plans vary by store, Florida Lottery products will be located at the front of each store, providing convenience and access to players.

"We're excited at the opportunity to sell lottery products in a trade style like Kmart's," said Tom Delacenserie, director of sales at the Florida Lottery. "While Florida Lottery customers regularly shop mass merchandisers, Kmart is the first chain of its type to carry lottery products in the state of Florida, a trend we feel can be expanded."

Thus far, fiscal year 2007-08 has resulted in record-breaking sales revenue and contributions to Florida's public education system. A key element of success has been the expansion of the Lottery's retailer network and the ability to lease additional lottery terminals. On September 5, 2007, the Lottery received approval by the Florida Legislature for increased spending authority to lease an additional 500 terminals. With a comprehensive recruitment effort in place to attract new retailers and an inventory of new terminals, retailer growth has played a vital role in increasing Lottery sales this year.

"Florida is still a growing state and increasing the number of retailers offers our customers added convenience with more locations to purchase lottery tickets," added Secretary DiBenigno.

While many businesses are feeling the effects of tough economic times, the Florida Lottery continues to improve the business environment by improving the bottom line for Lottery retailers. Businesses that become Florida Lottery retailers experience an increase in both sales and high-frequency customer traffic. As a result, the Lottery's business development office has received three times the number of retailer applications than in previous years.