By the numbers
Hoosier Lottery sales have been going up while the rate of payout remains stable. Here is a look at the last five years:
Year Sales payout
2019 $1.34 billion 63.81%
2018 $1.27 billion 62.77%
2017 $1.21 billion 63.84%
2016 $1.21 billion 64.05%
2015 $1.04 billion 64.48%
Source: Hoosier Lottery
INDIANAPOLIS – Having celebrated its 30th birthday in October, the Hoosier Lottery is considered a “mature” product.
Regardless of its age, it is racking up more sales than ever and sending more money than ever to state tax coffers. But are players getting their money's worth?
“It seems there isn't as much bang for your buck as there used to be,” said 42-year-old Glenn Turney of Fort Wayne.
He has played about 10 years and recently pulled back from buying as many scratch tickets as he did.
Data shows the lottery paid about $859 million last year in prizes – up from $797 million the year before. Based on sales, that meant about 63.81% collected went back to players in fiscal year 2019.
Hoosier Lottery Executive Director Sarah Taylor said that percentage has remained steady in recent years – meeting its goal.
“We are also trying to do better with winner awareness. As sales increase, so goes the winning opportunities to our players, so it's important for us to message,” she said.
The payout percentage has remained steady at a time when sales have grown – jumping from about $1 billion in 2015 to $1.34 billion last year.
Over the life of the lottery, almost $14 billion has gone to winners and $6 billion to the state to reduce license plate fees and aid teacher and police and fire pensions.
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