Hoosier Lottery poised for year-over-year sales growth despite economic headwinds
The Hoosier Lottery is on track to grow its year-over-year ticket sales despite continuing economic headwinds that caused sales to slump during the 2025 state budget year.
Data presented Wednesday to the State Lottery Commission of Indiana show the Hoosier Lottery sold a total of $1.4 billion in scratch-off ($1 billion) and draw game ($400 million) tickets during the 10-month period from July 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026.
At that rate, the lottery anticipates sales for the 2026 state budget year, which ends June 30, to reach $1.68 billion — about $80 million, or 4.4%, more than the prior year, though still less than the near-record $1.74 billion in 2024.
That translates to $346 million in projected lottery profits for the state of Indiana after deducing prizes paid to players and other expenses, or about $5 million more than 2025.
The bulk of that money is used to reduce the annual excise tax paid by motor vehicle owners, while $60 million is earmarked for police, firefighter and teacher pensions.
Carrie Stroud, Hoosier Lottery chief of staff, explained that scratch ticket sales started out "soft" during the first half of the current budget year and have struggled to catch back up, especially at the key $20 price point.
She noted, however, that sales of $2 and $50 scratch tickets have been strong, along with sales of the multi-state Powerball draw game and the lottery's non-jackpot draw games, such as Daily 3, Daily 4, CA$H 5, Fast Play, and others.
Sarah Taylor, Hoosier Lottery executive director, told the commission that the $71.7 million jackpot winning Powerball ticket sold at Al's Supermarket in LaPorte for the April 29 drawing has not yet been claimed.
That same drawing also saw 14 Indiana Powerball players win $1 million each, including a ticket sold in Michigan City, and 2 players win $2 million each, including a ticket sold in Portage.
Taylor described the lucky concentration of winners as "truly a memorable moment for Hoosier Lottery players," or the state's "millionaire moment."
The commission unanimously approved the Hoosier Lottery sales and marketing plan prepared by Brightstar Indiana for the 2027 budget year that begins July 1, 2026, that calls for new scratch games every month, new Fast Play games every other month, the return of the $25 scratch ticket, a new $50 Fast Play ticket, a vehicle giveaway, and a new Powerball game linked to NFL football.
https://nwitimes.com/news/state-regional/business/article_2371e98c-135e-4692-8f0f-1251dea64892.html