PHOENIX, AZ -- (Marketwire) -- 01/29/13 -- The Arizona Lottery announced its mid-year results today with sales pacing a record-breaking 10.7 percent over fiscal year 2012 and currently totaling more than $325.3 million.

The exceptional year-to-date Arizona Lottery sales are due to a significant 6.4 percent increase in the sale of Scratchers(SM) tickets and an even larger 18.5 percent increase in the sale of draw game tickets.

"The incredible Powerball® jackpot run earlier this fiscal year resulted in a huge increase in Powerball ticket sales statewide and produced an Arizona winner of the record-breaking $587.5 million jackpot," said Jeff Hatch-Miller, executive director of the Arizona Lottery. "This surge in Powerball sales heavily contributed to our strong mid-year sales figures."

As a result of strong Lottery sales, the State of Arizona has received more than $72.5 million in net proceeds year-to-date. Arizona Lottery dollars are allocated to fund a wide variety of public projects and programs throughout Arizona that fall under four main pillars: education, health & public welfare, economic & business development and the environment.

In addition to the Arizona Lottery's transfers to the State this year, more than $200 million has been paid out to players in the form of prizes, not including the additional $293.8 million that was paid to Arizona's Powerball jackpot winner.

Lottery retailers large and small also have benefited from the record Lottery sales, earning more than $21.4 million in commissions year-to-date, which many of them rely upon to support their businesses.

"This has already been a remarkable year for the Arizona Lottery, which can be largely credited to the introduction of new, innovative products that continue to attract players and deliver sound results for Arizona Lottery beneficiaries throughout the state," Hatch-Miller said. "We are confident that our strong sales trend will continue through the end of the year, as we work aggressively toward exceeding 2013 goals."

Players must be 21 years or older to purchase or redeem tickets. Overall odds vary by game. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, these materials may be made available in an alternate format. Gambling problem? Call 1.800.NEXT STEP. Please play responsibly™.

About the Arizona Lottery
The Arizona Lottery operates entirely from the revenue it generates through the sale of its products; it receives no General Fund dollars from the State. Proceeds from sales of Lottery tickets -- over $3 million per week -- fund a variety of state programs. Since July 1981, the Arizona Lottery has paid out more than $5 billion in prizes to players, over $2.8 billion in net profit to the state and almost $591 million in commissions to retailers.

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