Instant games fuel growth in state lottery revenue

Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005 | 9:39 a.m.

TRENTON, N.J. -- Sales of instant games helped fuel a 4 percent gain in state lottery revenue in the fiscal year that ended June 30, lottery officials said. Overall lottery revenue reached a record high of $2.3 billion.

Sales of instant games passed $1 billion for the first time, according to the latest annual figures, released Monday. Revenue from those games rose 9.5 percent from the previous year.

"A lot of our players like instant gratification, rather than waiting a day or so to see if they've won," said New Jersey Lottery spokeswoman Mary Ann Rivell. She said the variety of instant games offered by the lottery contributed to their popularity as well. The lottery Web site lists more than 60 instant games.

Sales of tickets for the Jersey Cash 5 game also grew, up nearly 7 percent from the year before to $123 million. Rivell said the lottery's decision to roll over the jackpot if no one wins on a given day helped boost consumer interest.

Revenue from the 12-state Mega Millions game grew almost 1 percent, to $253 million.

The popularity of Mega Millions, with its jackpots sometimes exceeding $100 million, may have contributed to a decline in sales for the state's Pick 6 Lotto game, which were down nearly 16 percent, to $110 million.