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LOTTERY SALES SET RECORD, TOP HALF A BILLION

For the first time in the Missouri Lottery’s 13-year history, fiscal year sales exceeded the half-billion dollar mark. The 1999 fiscal year ended June 30 with total ticket sales of more than $513 million. It is the eighth consecutive year that Lottery sales have increased. In addition, record sales in fiscal year 1999 translated into record proceeds to Missouri’s public education programs. "The reason the Missouri Lottery exists is to raise revenue for public education," said Jim Scroggins. "Record sales also mean record proceeds for public education." During fiscal year 1999, the lottery transferred more than $150.5 million to the Lottery Proceeds Fund to benefit various public education programs. Scroggins added that while lottery proceeds continue to increase and are a significant source of income, the funds only make up approximately 3 percent of education’s total annual budget. Scroggins said much of the fiscal year 1999 sales increase can be attributed to the record $295 million Powerball jackpot in July of 1998 and the recent $151 million Powerball jackpot at the end of the year. The introduction of Pick 4 in November also boosted overall sales. More than $283 million in prizes were awarded to Missouri Lottery players during the past fiscal year. Thirteen Missouri Lottery players became millionaires, winning jackpots ranging from $1.04 million to $25.6 million in cash. In all, nearly $112 million in jackpot prizes were awarded. Fifty-eight Missouri Lottery Powerball players won $100,000 and 159 players won $25,000 tax paid playing SHOW ME 5 during fiscal year 1999. FISCAL YEAR SALES HISTORY FY99 $513,334,663* FY98 $494,298,761 FY97 $439,592,300 FY96 $422,530,945 FY95 $411,664,824 FY94 $350,518,546 FY93 $256,675,345 FY92 $220,359,753 FY91 $216,240,866 FY90 $223,367,147 FY89 $199,202,382 FY88 $147,761,618 FY87 $174,081,815 FY86 $206,990,610 Total: $4,276,619,575* * unaudited estimated figures ** Daily Millions began on Sept. 16, 1996, during fiscal year 1997 and ended during fiscal year 1998 on March 29, 1998. *** Pick 4 began on Nov. 2, 1998, during fiscal year 1999.