Texas Lottery Achieves Remarkable Sales Milestone in FY 2024

The Texas Lottery has once again proven its resilience and popularity, achieving an impressive $8.39 billion in sales for the fiscal year 2024 (FY 2024). This marks the second-best year in the agency’s history, trailing only behind its record-setting performance in FY 2023. The robust sales figures have translated into significant contributions to the state, with over $2 billion generated for public education and veterans’ services, continuing a trend of strong financial support for these vital sectors.

Record Contributions to Public Education and Veterans’ Services

In FY 2024, the Texas Lottery transferred a remarkable $2.007 billion to the State of Texas, specifically earmarked for the Foundation School Fund and the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. This contribution included approximately $1.98 billion directed to public education and $26.8 million to veterans’ services. Notably, this is the second consecutive year that the Texas Lottery has surpassed the $2 billion mark in transfers, highlighting its critical role in funding essential state programs.

Ryan Mindell, the executive director of the Texas Lottery, emphasized the agency’s commitment to innovation and player engagement, which have been pivotal in driving sales. Despite facing challenges such as fewer billion-dollar jackpots and adverse weather conditions, the Texas Lottery’s ability to introduce exciting new games has kept players engaged and contributed to its financial success.

Innovative Game Offerings Drive Sales Growth

The Texas Lottery’s diverse portfolio of games has played a crucial role in its sales performance. Scratch ticket sales alone accounted for $6.644 billion, representing 79.2% of total lottery sales. The continued popularity of Loteria-themed games and the introduction of high-stakes $100 scratch tickets have captivated players. The $100 price point, in particular, saw significant growth, generating $669.7 million in sales, a 16.5% increase from the previous year.

The agency’s innovative approach to game design, including promotional second-chance drawings and unique prize structures, has also contributed to its success. For instance, the $400 Million Mega Bucks scratch ticket became a bestseller, while the Loteria Supreme game generated $320.1 million in sales, showcasing the appeal of themed games that resonate with Texas players.

Strong Performance in Draw Games

The draw games segment of the Texas Lottery also experienced a robust year, achieving $1.745 billion in sales, the second-highest in the agency’s history. In-state draw games accounted for $810.1 million of this total, with daily games like Pick 3 and Daily 4 contributing significantly to the overall success. The Lotto Texas game, known for its substantial jackpots, generated $185.7 million, benefiting from several notable jackpot runs throughout the year.

Despite a decrease in multi-state jackpots compared to the previous year, Powerball and Mega Millions remained popular, collectively generating $935.2 million in sales. The excitement surrounding these games continues to draw players, with significant prizes fueling interest.

Commitment to Responsible Gambling

The Texas Lottery has made responsible gambling a cornerstone of its operations. In FY 2024, the agency implemented comprehensive training programs for retailers and staff, ensuring that responsible gambling practices are prioritized. Campaigns aimed at educating the public about the risks associated with gambling, particularly for minors, have been actively promoted through various channels, including social media and retailer communications.

The agency’s commitment to responsible gambling has not gone unnoticed, as it received recognition from the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) for its effective communication strategies and adherence to responsible gaming standards.

Fiscal Responsibility and Retailer Support

The Texas Lottery has maintained a strong focus on fiscal stewardship, with administrative expenditures totaling only 3.32% of sales—one of the lowest rates in the nation. This prudent financial management ensures that the maximum possible revenue is directed toward supporting public education and veterans’ services.

Retailers have also benefitted significantly from the lottery’s success, earning over $420 million in commissions from ticket sales. This reflects the Texas Lottery’s commitment to supporting its retail partners, who play a vital role in the lottery’s operations.

Player Engagement and Prize Distribution

In FY 2024, the Texas Lottery saw a surge in player engagement, with 106 players claiming prizes of $1 million or more. The largest unshared prize ever paid out to a Texas Lottery player was a staggering $157.4 million, awarded to the winner of the Mega Millions jackpot. Overall, players collected $5.736 billion in prizes, representing 68.37% of total sales.

The Texas Lottery’s ability to create excitement and deliver substantial prizes has solidified its position as a leading entertainment option for Texans, contributing to its ongoing success.

The Beneficiaries: Education and Veterans

The contributions made by the Texas Lottery have a profound impact on the state’s education system and veteran services. The Foundation School Fund supports various operational needs for Texas school districts, including teacher salaries and special education programs. Meanwhile, the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance provides essential services to Texas veterans and their families, including financial assistance and counseling.

Since its inception in 1992, the Texas Lottery has generated over $39 billion for the state, with more than $33.7 billion allocated to public education and over $248 million dedicated to veterans’ programs. This ongoing support underscores the lottery’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Texans.

The Texas Lottery’s remarkable performance in FY 2024 is a testament to its innovative approach, commitment to responsible gambling, and dedication to supporting vital state programs. As the agency looks to the future, it remains focused on building on its successes and continuing to engage players while contributing to the betterment of Texas.