Lottery ticket sales in area counties dip in January, February

Sales of lottery tickets in this area of the state declined to begin the year when compared to the state’s December report, even though when combined sales were nearly $2.2 million.

In January, lottery ticket retailers sold a total of $857,585 in scratch-off tickets with total sales of $1,070,592 in St. Francis, Lee, Cross and Monroe counties.

Those sales increased slightly in February when retailers in these four counties reported total sales of $1,121,457, with $910,199 of that total being scratch-off tickets.

The December report shows that in these four counties, $942,322 in scratch-off tickets were sold, contributing to total lottery ticket sales of $1,176,834.50 to end the year.

According to the state report, in January, lottery ticket dealers in St. Francis County sold $312,010 in scratch-off tickets with total monthly sales of $401,835.50.

The SFC sales increased in February when retailers sold $342,306 in scratch-off tickets, contributing to total sales of $435,403.50.

In January, Cross County retailers sold $290,869, with total sales of $323,286. In February, Cross County sold more scratchoff tickets with total sales of $295,399. The county’s total lottery ticket sales last month fell to $311,469.

Lottery ticket retailers in Lee County continue to sell fewer tickets than any of the four counties.

In January, Lee County’s scratch-off tickets sales were $67,901, with total sales of $94,103.50.

Those figures increased in February when retailers sold $72,800 in scratch-off tickets for a total of $99,759.50 in ticket sales.

Monroe County’s ticket sales were close to the same for both January and February.

In January, $186,796 in scratchoff tickets were sold in Monroe County with total monthly sales of $251,367.

Those figures increased in

February to $199,694 in scratchoff ticket sales for total monthly sales of $274,825.

The sales are part of the state’s 2024 fiscal year, where so far lottery ticket sales total more than $405.5 million. Lottery officials said that amount is 8.7% better than the lottery’s projected budget.

The amount raised for college scholarships totals $75.6 million, which is an increase of $72.4 million over the same period for fiscal 2023.