Audit: Lottery transfer to R.I. general fund increases 8.9% in FY19

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Lottery had an operating revenue of $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2019, a 21.5% increase year over year, according to an audit report from the R.I. Office of the Auditor General released Monday.

The collections for the Lottery resulted in a transfer to the R.I. general fund totaling $397.3 million for the fiscal year, an 8.9% increase year over year.

The total Lottery revenue included $127.6 million from sports book revenue, resulting in a $3 million transfer to the R.I. general fund. The sports book in Rhode Island had not been in operation in fiscal 2018. Video lottery revenue for the fiscal year was $522.8 million, an increase from $481.4 million one year prior. The increase in video lottery revenue was largely attributed to the opening of the Tiverton Casino Hotel.

Table game revenue in the state increased 12.1% year over year in fiscal 2019 to $163.4 million.

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Lottery expenses for the year totaled $680.4 million, a 30.4% increase year over year. Prize awards accounted for 61.4% of total revenue for the year. Commissions accounted for 12.1% of revenue for the year. Transfers to the general fund accounted for 22.6% of total revenue.

Assets for the Lottery totaled $39.9 million at the end of the fiscal year, an increase from $31.2 million one year prior. Total current liabilities increased to $40 million from $31.8 million in that time.