A new report says the Arkansas lottery enjoyed record-breaking sales over the past year that funded an increase in college scholarships in the state.
The report released Monday to the Legislature's Lottery Oversight Committee says total ticket sales during the fiscal year that ended June 30 were $455.6 million, up 11.5 percent over fiscal 2015. Instant ticket sales were up $25 million over the prior year, and draw games were up more than $22 million.
Net proceeds available for scholarships were $85.4 million for the year, $6 million more than lottery officials had projected for the fiscal year and an increase of about $13 million over the prior year's proceeds.
Since sales began in 2009, the lottery has provided more than $600 million for in-state college scholarships to Arkansas students.