TRENTON , NJ – New Jersey Lottery Acting Executive Director William T. Jourdain and Lottery Chairman Robert D'Anton today announced that the New Jersey Lottery has surpassed $2.5 billion in sales. This marks the seventh consecutive year that sales have shattered the $2 billion mark. This past fiscal year was another strong one in terms of sales, overall winners, retailer commissions and contributions back to the Garden State . Nearly $1.5 billion in cash and prizes were awarded by the Lottery last year.

State Treasurer R. David Rousseau praised the Lottery, saying, “In addition to the benefits our business community sees from having Lottery in their stores, they're not the only winners. It's important that we always keep in mind what this year's $882 million is all about—improving the quality of life, the opportunities and the future for our students, our colleges and universities, the developmentally disabled, and our State's veterans.”

“The Lottery offers a unique gaming experience for everyone,” said Acting Executive Director William T. Jourdain. “ Whether it is our many diverse and exciting new instant ticket games or the daily and bi-weekly jackpots offered in our many live-drawing games, the Lottery continues to grow and evolve its portfolio of offerings to the playing public to ensure that the needs of our beneficiary community continue to be met in the years to come.”

Jourdain also noted that the Lottery is the State's fourth largest individual revenue producer, and accomplished this fiscal year's remarkable milestone even while administrative expenses were pared by over 13%. In FY'08, the Lottery contributed $882 million for State-sponsored programs, the largest revenue contribution amount in Lottery history, shattering the old record of $844 million by approximately $38 million. Since the Lottery was created in 1970, nearly $17.3 billion has been generated in support of programs such as: county community college capital improvement initiatives; school nutrition efforts; the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf; the operation of centers for the developmentally disabled, state psychiatric hospitals and homes for disabled soldiers; higher education tuition and grants; higher education opportunity fund programs, aid to independent colleges and universities and funding for the Garden State Scholars Program.

“Many of these initiatives would have an exceedingly difficult time if not for Lottery proceeds,” added Lottery Chairman Robert D'Anton. “The Lottery continues to function as an integral component of the State's economy, touching programs and services that transcend winning numbers and million dollar jackpots. From veterans' centers to county, State and private colleges, our support helps make a difference in New Jersey 's communities.”

D'Anton also noted that the effects of the Lottery's success are felt throughout the entire State, including within the small business community, “The Lottery's network of more than 6,100 retailers - chain stores, supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores - earn five percent of their Lottery ticket sales in the form of commissions. In FY '08, the Lottery returned commissions just under $140 million, providing many of our State's small businesses with a valuable source of extra revenue.”

The New Jersey Lottery's fiscal year 2008 sales are as follows: