Kansas Lottery sales fall despite picking up across the country
KANSAS CITY – The state of Kansas is the exception to the rule when it comes to state lotteries. Many state lotteries all across the country have seen big increases in lottery sales figures year on year, due in part to increased multi-state jackpots and the tough economic situation many people are in. In Kansas, however, lottery sales are down with many retailers blaming the recently imposed smoking ban.
According to Kansas.com a USA Today analysis found that 28 of 41 state lotteries saw higher sales in the fiscal year that ended June 30, and 17 set records. Missouri hit $1 billion in sales for the first time.
Kansas reached a high of $240 million in sales in 2007. But since then, sales have dipped, reaching $237 million in 2008, $230.5 million in 2009, $235.4 million in 2010, and $232.4 million in the last fiscal year.
Scratch cards continue to be popular and sales of these instant win games rose three per cent in Kansas. Instant games sales have increased substantially all across the United States as people look for instant cash prizes rather than waiting for the less popular draw games.
The Lottery’s new executive director, Dennis Wilson, who took over on July 5, the start of the new fiscal year, said that so far this year, sales of Lottery products are up more than 3.8 percent.
Since Mega Millions was introduced in Kansas, sales figures for it’s main rival Powerball have fallen substantially (20.5 per cent) over the year. Hot Lotto sales also fell by around 18 per cent year-on-year since Mega Millions tickets could be purchased in Kansas.
The Multi-State Lottery Association, which administers Powerball for 44 state lotteries, will make changes next year to create bigger jackpots and better odds.
Powerball tickets will go from $1 to $2, and the starting pot will double from $20 million to $40 million. Prize money for matching all but the Powerball number will increase from $200,000 to $1 million.
Powerball players will also now only have to choose from 35 numbers instead of 39, markedly improving the odds on winning a prize.
The Kansas Lottery is doing it’s best to keep sales high, but for most retailers it is the introduction of the smoking ban which has reduced sales as people are spending less time inside playing games or purchasing tickets as they prefer to smoke.
source: Kansas.com
Published: October 17, 2011
