The Minnesota Lottery delivered a big win for Minnesotans during its latest fiscal year (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023) with players cashing in a record $501.9 million in prizes. Another record payout — $196.1 million — was returned to lottery beneficiaries to protect Minnesota’s environment and natural resources and support vital state services serving each of Minnesota’s 87 counties.
Lottery sales reached $787.2 million, the second-highest total in the lottery’s 33-year history, with scratch games taking the lead at $545.7 million. Four record-setting jackpot runs fueled Minnesota’s highest lotto game sales to date. A record $233 million in lotto tickets were sold, a forty percent increase from the previous fiscal year.The lottery noted that a higher profit margin on lotto tickets contributed to a record return for Minnesota’s important beneficiaries:
- $105.7 million to the General Fund, which supports education, public safety, and health and human services.
- $88.9 million toward programs dedicated to the protection and preservation of
- Minnesota’s environment and natural resources which includes the following:
✽ Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, $51.9 million
✽ Game and Fish Fund, $18.5 million
✽ Natural Resources Fund, $18.5 million - $1.5 million for programs to help prevent and treat problem gambling.
Minnesota Lottery Executive Director Adam Prock said: “The lottery’s success wouldn’t be possible without our 3,000 hard-working retail partners located throughout Minnesota.”
As per the company, retailers earned $51.9 million in commissions and incentives, an average of $17,288 per business. The lottery recognized their top-selling retailers and welcomed four new retailers to their elite Million Dollar Sales Club.
The businesses that sold $1 million in lottery tickets for the first time last fiscal year include Kwik Trip #1169 in North St. Paul, Cub Foods (Larpenteur) in Roseville, King’s County Market in St. Francis, and Cub Foods (Southdale) in Edina. They join 19 other retailers who passed this major milestone and contributed to another record-setting year for the lottery.
“We often say that when Minnesotans play, everyone wins, and our latest fiscal year is no exception, ” added Prock. “Approximately 93 cents of every dollar played on lottery games is returned to Minnesotans in prizes, retailer commissions, and contributions to the state.”