Florida Lottery reports best July ‘on record’

The Florida Lottery said it had “its strongest start ever” as the state agency closed the books on the first month of the fiscal year.

The Lottery set “all-time record sales for the month of July totaling over $532 million, 17 percent higher than the previous July record,” according to a press release.

“As we move forward, we will continue producing innovative games and exciting promotions to ensure we continue to increase our sales and maximize revenue for education,” Secretary Tom Delacenserie said in a statement.

July ticket sales generated an estimated $144 million that will go into the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF).

“The Lottery also had the best July ever for both Scratch-Off and Draw game sales, the release said.

“Scratch-Off sales exceeded $332 million, with the introduction of the MONOPOLY™ FLORIDA EDITION family of Scratch-Off games accounting for over $100 million alone,” it said. “Draw games accounted for over $199 million in sales.”

Florida has the second largest-selling lottery in the country, behind New York, most recent Census records show.