The coronavirus pandemic is no match for lottery players. The Georgia Lottery Corp. says profits hit a new record of $1.24 billion for the budget year ended June 30.
That continued a rebound after sales had initially dropped in March at the onset of COVID-19 restrictions. It’s the ninth-straight year that the lottery has set sales and profit records. Proceeds from the lottery finance college aid called Hope Scholarships and preschool classes. Lottery officials said gamblers turned to the lottery's internet options, which allow ticket sales and online gambling at home. They also say most lottery retailers remained open and people had fewer other forms of entertainment competing for their dollars