LITTLE ROCK-Arkansas' lottery has generated more revenue and net proceeds in January than any month since ticket sales began in September 2009.
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery says that it generated $58.7 million in total revenue in January, resulting in $13.8 million in net proceeds, which go to scholarships.
Officials say the increased revenue won't result in any changes in the college scholarship program for now. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that any updates require Legislature approval.
In its monthly report to the Legislative Council's Lottery Oversight Subcommittee and Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday, the lottery said the January revenue included $31.2 million in scratch-off tickets; $27.4 million in draw-game tickets, which include the Powerball and Mega Millions and a handful of other games; and more than $55,000 in retailer fees.
Lottery Director Bishop Woosley said the increased ticket sales during the record Powerball was the primary cause for increase total revenue and net proceeds in January.
"I'm pleased with the improved results from the lottery," Hutchinson said in a written statement. "It's clearly on a stronger financial path, but it's certainly too soon to make any changes or adjustments until we have a longer record of experience with increased revenues."
The previous monthly record was $51.5 million in revenue and $12.8 million in net proceeds in March 2012, a month in which ticket sales had been fueled by a record Mega Millions jackpot of $656 million.