Watch CBS News

March Saw Record Lottery Sales, Recovered Shutdown Losses

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The $640 million Mega Millions jackpot helped drive March's record-breaking lottery sales, the Minnesota State Lottery said.

March broke the previous record by bringing in $61.6 million, which is a 12 percent increase over the last record month.

Lottery director Ed Van Petten said record scratch sales of nearly $40 million also helped the sales record.

"We have now caught up the entire amount lost in sales during the shutdown, plus about $4 million," he said.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Susie Jones Reports

Podcast

Van Petten said if sales continue at the current pace, they will exceed the record $504.5 million dollars set last year.

He credits the hard work of the staff for the results.

Since its inception in April of 1990, the Lottery has contributed more than $2 billion to state programs that benefit all Minnesotans.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.