Springfield, Ill. – The Illinois Lottery today reported sales of $2.078 billion for fiscal year 2008—the highest single-year sales in the Lottery’s 34-year history. FY08 sales increased 2.8 percent over FY07, the previous record-setting year.

FY08 contributions to the state’s Common School Fund came in at $657 million, or 5.5 percent over the previous year, according to Lottery officials. In addition, through the sale of cause-specific “specialty” instant games, in FY08 the Lottery raised $2.5 million for Illinois veterans groups, $1.4 million for the battle against breast cancer, and $1.1 million to improve the lives of people living with AIDS.

“2008 was a great year for the Lottery,” said Jodie Winnett, acting superintendent of the Illinois Lottery. “Sales and Common School Fund transfers were both up, and we raised sizeable revenue for other worthy causes.”

Winnett attributes the Lottery’s success in FY08 to several factors including; responding to player suggestions, improving service to retailers, and offering attractive products and promotions with strong player appeal.

“I want to thank our players, retailers, employees and vendors for the numerous successes we realized in fiscal year 2008,” said Winnett. “I am hopeful that 2009 will mark the sixth consecutive year of record sales.” FY08 instant game sales topped $1.11 billion – or 53 percent of total sales – a single-year sales record.

Other Lottery products that saw sales increase over FY07 include: Lotto, Little Lotto, Mega Millions and Raffle.