State Lottery Sales Increase Nearly 11 Percent Over Past 5 Years

According to a new report, Wisconsin lottery sales increased nearly 11 percent over the past five years.

The Legislative Audit Bureau, which conducted the study, linked the growth to increased sales of $20 instant games, the addition of the Mega Millions game, and the 2012 increase in Powerball ticket prices from $1 to $2.

Laurel Patrick, the communications director for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, says state law requires all net proceeds of the lottery to be used exclusively for property tax relief. According to the report, lottery proceeds provided more than $700 million in relief over the past five years.

“Overall, we were really pleased with the audit,” says Patrick. “It shows that we have strong performance and record-breaking sales that deliver property tax relief.”

The lottery funds property tax credits, which are available to eligible homeowners.