The Ohio Lottery announced the end of the fiscal year with $4.3 billion in sales resulting in a $1.36 billion transfer to the Lottery Profits Education Fund, which supports K through 12, vocational, and special education programs in Ohio.
When combining traditional lottery sales with video lottery net win of $1.2 billion, total revenue generated reached $5.5 billion in fiscal year 2021. Traditional sales of $4.3 billion were $858 million ahead of the previous fiscal year.
The scratch-off category led with sales of $2.3 billion, an increase of $442 million over the previous fiscal year. Scratch-Off sales benefitted from an increased use of data analytics to help optimize game inventory levels, strategic product mix, and marketing support.
“This was one of the most unique years in history. I’m proud of our ability to adapt and achieve record success—awarding over $2.8 billion in prizes and exceeding our commitment to education with our largest transfer in our 47-year history,” Ohio Lottery Director Pat McDonald said.
All major game categories increased over the previous fiscal year. Monitor games led the way with KENO® sales of $577 million, an increase of $138 million over the previous year. Daily draw game sales, including Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5, saw an increase of 20 percent, reaching $836 million in sales.
The lottery launched a new $40 EZPLAY® Progressive Jackpot Game, Ohio Jackpot 7’s, in February of 2021. The game helped to boost sales of the fast play category of games to $192 million, a 20 percent bump from FY2020.
VLT sales benefitted from the reopening of racinos after closing due to the Coronavirus pandemic from March to June of 2020. Sales ended the fiscal year at $1.2 billion, up $365.3 million from the previous fiscal year.
All figures are preliminary and unaudited. Audited figures are expected to be released in October.