Ohio Lottery sales once again reach record levels

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Ohio Lottery Commission announced record sales of $2.6 billion for fiscal year 2011, a total exceeding the previous year’s sales by $108 million.

Consumer spending in the state is at its lowest in two years, thanks in part to the likely double dip recession the economy is experiencing.

Despite the recession, this is the 10th consecutive year lottery sales have increased, said Danielle Frizzi-Babb of the Ohio Lottery Commission.

She also attributed the booming increase to new games such as Keno and the addition of the multistate Powerball game in February of 2010.

“Participating in those multistate lotteries has definitely increased sales,” she added.

The Ohio Lottery keeps a percentage of every $1 Powerball and Mega Millions ticket sold in Ohio.

Ohio Lottery proceeds go to K-12 education. The latest amount to be donated to lottery sponsored schools in the state wa $738.8 million, the second highest in Ohio Lottery history.

source: The Oxford Press