North Carolina Lottery Sales, Profits Hit Record Highs Again

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Education Lottery says it's had another record year for ticket sales and net profits.

Lottery officials announced Thursday ticket sales for the year ending June 30 totaled nearly $2.4 billion, generating almost $608 million for education. Ticket revenues were 20 percent higher than the year before. A year ago, net profits were $521 million.

Lottery Executive Director Alice Garland says scratch-off games and the record $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot in January contributed primarily to the record sales.

Sales and net profits for the state have increased every year since the first tickets were sold in 2006.

The legislature directs lottery profits go for public school construction and non-instructional staff, financial aid for university and community college students and pre-kindergarten for at-risk 4-year-olds.

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