New Jersey Lottery Pulls In $2.6 Billion, Sets New Sales Record
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - The New Jersey Lottery has set a new sales record.
Officials said the agency pulled in about $2.6 billion in the last fiscal year. That's $31.5 million more than the previous year, and marks the fourth straight year with sales over $2.5 billion.
The lottery generated $930 million for the state, about $6 million more than the previous year. That provides aid for education and state institutions.
Lottery ticket sales are the fourth-largest revenue source for the state.
The most popular game was Pick 3, which brought in $435 million, unchanged from the previous year. Powerball ticket sales were up 87 percent, rising from $71 million in fiscal year 2010 to $133 million in the last fiscal year, while Mega Millions revenue slipped from $307 million to $231 million.
How often do you play the lottery? Do you want to give it up, or does it provide you with a weekly -- or daily -- thrill? Sound off with your stories and thoughts below...
(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
