Consecutive records for lottery sales

MADISON, WI (AP) — The Wisconsin lottery has had another record year in sales.

State officials say the lottery reached about $565 million in sales for the fiscal year ending June 30. That’s $18 million more than the previous fiscal year and another record breaker.

Sales of both instant scratch and lotto games increased. The instant games generated about $326 million in sales and lotto tickets brought in about $239 million.

The lottery says more than $329 million in prizes were paid to Wisconsin players, with 13 winning $1 million or more this year. Lottery retailers earned a total of $35 million.

Lottery director Mike Edmonds says sales of lottery games generated $160 million in property tax relief.