NZ Lotteries Marks Stellar Year

NZ Lotteries Marks Stellar Year

NZ communities are on a winning streak with a record-breaking year for NZ Lotteries. Its Annual Report shows an increase of $15.1 million transferred to the Lottery Grants Board a record total of $138.5 million, NZ Lotteries Chief Executive Todd McLeay, said today.

Releasing NZ Lotteries Annual Report for the 2005/2006 year, Mr McLeay said New Zealanders were enthusiastically supporting NZ Lotteries with sales of $719.2 million, the highest since NZ Lotteries started in 1987.

Mr McLeay said that NZ Lotteries' strong business performance could be attributed to a number of strategy-driven changes.

"The introduction of our midweek jackpotting game Big Wednesday resulted not only in a game immediately loved by many Kiwis, but it has given us a midweek retail presence that has played a key role in lifting sales.

"Two Lotto Powerball jackpot runs resulting in the two largest prizes ever won ($18 million and $15.2 million) on an NZ Lotteries game, also played a major role in increasing sales," says Mr McLeay.

"Opening 150 new retail outlets increased the national network to 878 outlets providing greater choice and convenience to our customers and helping to lift sales performance," he said.

"At the same time, a nationwide refurbishment programme of lottery outlets has continued, and by year end two-thirds of the network featured the new, more consumer friendly retail branding and format," he said.

The Annual Report shows significant investment in a major technological upgrade to NZ Lotteries' gaming system, terminals and networks.

Over the year, NZ Lotteries created eleven new millionaires amongst the 134 players who won Lotto First Division and six people became Lotto Powerball multi-millionaires. Additionally three people became multi-millionaires after winning Big Wednesday First Division and a further two lucky players became instant millionaires when they spun and won $1 million on Lotto's Winning Wheel.

The largest prize of the year was the record breaking $18 million Lotto Powerball prize won by an Auckland family and sold by a ticket bought at Kaeo Four Square in Northland in May.

ENDS