Pennsylvania Lottery Sets New Sales Record

PENNSYLVANIA – (PRESS RELEASE) -- The Pennsylvania Lottery has set a new sales record. Lottery sales from July 1, 2004, through last week totaled $2,358,906,572.50, topping last year's annual sales of $2,352,071,452.50 by $6.8 million.

"We fully expected to set a new sales record this year," said Secretary of Revenue Gregory C. Fajt. "Continued strong sales of instant games and the most recent Powerball jackpot helped the Lottery achieve that goal more than five weeks before the fiscal year ends on June 30."

Fajt expects total sales for the 2004-05 fiscal year to reach $2.6 billion, resulting in the third consecutive year of double-digit sales growth for the Pennsylvania Lottery. Comparing calendar year 2003 to 2004, industry experts ranked the PA Lottery as the second fastest growing of all 41 U.S. lotteries and the fastest growing in terms of instant games sales growth.

Of the 30 best instant games sales weeks in the history of the Lottery, 27 of those weeks occurred this fiscal year, including the best week ever - $41,881,775 during the week of Dec. 21 - 27, 2004.

Fajt said there is no single secret to the Lottery's recent success. He said everyday attention to detail has made the sales growth possible.

"This unprecedented period of sustained growth has been achieved by raising the bar across the board," said Fajt. "Under the leadership of Executive Director Ed Mahlman, the Lottery is constantly improving the products it makes available to players, increasing the number of retailers across the state, marketing its products responsibly and partnering in projects that demonstrate social responsibility."