Fiscal 2019 unaudited U.S. lottery traditional sales jumped 6% to $80.8 billion from $76 billion in fiscal 2018, according to La Fleur’s Magazine. This represents 0.4% of the 2019 Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Lottery sales cover the period ending June 30. Fiscal 2019 sales are estimated for the Texas Lottery and Michigan Lottery.
Although data was not available for all U.S. lotteries, it is estimated that the industry returned approximately $49.5 billion in prizes and transferred $23.7 billion to government.
The Delaware Lottery led the industry with a 54% increase in fiscal 2019 sales. Forty-four U.S. lotteries posted sales increases in fiscal 2019.
The New York Lottery ranked first in gross traditional sales at $8.2 billion. The Massachusetts Lottery ranked first in per capita total sales at $794.
Total FY19 U.S. lottery terminal game sales increased 10% to $30.7 billion. Terminal game sales represent 38% of the U.S. lotteries’ total traditional sales.
The New York Lottery ranked first in FY19 gross terminal sales at $4 billion. The Delaware Lottery ranked first in FY19 per capita terminal sales at $284. Notably, 43 of the 44 U.S. lotteries saw terminal sales increase in fiscal 2019 (and 23 lotteries enjoyed double-digit increases in terminal game sales).
A big factor was the boost in sales from the $1.5 billion Mega Million jackpot won in October 2018. It resulted in a 58% increase in FY19 Mega Millions sales which ballooned to $5.1 billion (up from $3.2 billion). Powerball sales were flat in FY19.
In the non-lotto category, sales for the 4-digit numbers game increased 3% to $4.6 billion. Sales grew 3% to $5.7 billion for the 3-digit game. Combined numbers sales exceeded $10.5 billion. Monitor game sales rose 7% to $4.7 billion (up from $4.4 billion in fiscal 2018).
In the bloc lotto category, combined FY19 “For Life” sales declined 3% to $446.8 million. Small bloc lotto sales decreased 1% to $98.6 million. In-state lotto sales rose 2% to $3.7 billion in fiscal 2019.
Instant terminal game (ITG) sales totaled $559 million, which represented a 2% increase.
Total FY19 U.S. instant ticket sales jumped 4% to $50.1 billion, up $2.1 billion over the previous year. Instant ticket sales represented 62% of the U.S. lotteries’ total traditional sales in FY19.
The California Lottery ranked first in FY19 gross instant sales at $5.2 billion. The Massachusetts Lottery ranked first in FY19 per capita instant sales at $532. The West Virginia Lottery ranked first with a 17% increase in FY19 instant sales.
In terms of instant sales by price point, the $10/$15 price point recorded a 12% jump in sales, the highest percentage growth rate, followed by a 9% gain for the $25+ price point. Game sales grew 7% for the $20 price point. Year-to-year sales declined for the $1, $2, $3 and $5 price points.
The $10/$15 category is now ranked first with $12.9 billion, which represents 26% of total FY19 instant sales. The $5 category is ranked second with $11.9 billion, which represents 24% in FY19 instant sales. The $20 category is ranked third with $8.8 billion, which represents 18% of total FY19 instant sales.
Forty-one U.S. lotteries reported growth in FY19 instant ticket sales. The top three FY19 sales leaders as measured by sales increases were West Virginia Lottery (17%), South Carolina Lottery (15%) and Delaware Lottery (13%). Five U.S. lotteries reported double-digit increases in FY19 instant sales.
U.S. Consolidated Revenues
La Fleur’s fiscal 2019 report also features U.S. lotteries ranked by FY19 total consolidated revenues as measured by gross revenues, per capita revenues and percentage change. Consolidated revenues represents traditional lottery sales as well as non-traditional net revenues, such as video lottery terminals (VLTs), table games and electronic pull tabs.
In fiscal 2019, U.S. lotteries’ consolidated revenues totaled $89 billion, up 6% from $83.9 billion in fiscal 2018.
The New York Lottery ranked first in FY19 gross consolidated revenues at $10.3 billion. The Rhode Island Lottery ranked first in FY19 per capita consolidated revenues at $898.
U.S. lotteries’ FY19 combined VLT revenues totaled $6.8 billion, up 5% from $6.5 billion in FY18. There are eight U.S. lotteries operating VLTs. As is this magazine’s policy, VLT revenues are not included with traditional lottery sales.
The Rhode Island Lottery led the nation, with a 9% increase in FY19 VLT net machine income. The New York Lottery ranked number one in FY19 total VLT net machine income at $1.7 billion.
Canadian Results
The Canadian lottery industry experienced an 11% increase in FY19 traditional lottery sales, which grew to C$9.9 billion. All five Canadian lotteries reported increases in FY19 traditional lottery sales.
LottoMax sales rose 40% to C$2.3 billion in fiscal 2019 while Lotto 649 increased 2% to C$1.5 billion. Other lotto sales declined 3% to $739.6 million. Spiel sales were up 12%, totaling C$681 million. Sport pool sales totaled $572.5 million.
OLG ranked first in FY19 gross terminal sales at C$2.8 billion. BCLC ranked first in per capita terminal sales at C$235.
FY19 instant sales rose 5% to C$2.7 billion. There is major growth in the higher price points with the $20 price point recording a 38% increase in FY19 instant sales.
The C$5 category is ranked first with $656.7 million in sales (25%). The C$3 category is ranked second with C$626.6 million in sales (24%). The C$10 category is ranked third with $577 million in sales (22%). OLG ranked first in FY19 in gross instant sales at C$1.4 billion. Atlantic Lottery is ranked first in per capita instant sales at C$101.
FY19 Canadian VLT net machine income dropped 2% to C$1.3 billion.