Rhode Island Lottery reports $247.4 million general‑fund transfer; Powerball sales slump as Mega Millions price rises

The Joint Committee on State Lottery on March 24 heard a financial update showing a $247,400,000 transfer to the state general fund through February and mixed performance across lottery products and gaming platforms.

"We have good news," James, director of the Rhode Island Lottery, told the committee, presenting the month‑to‑date financials and product sales. The director said the general‑fund transfer was about $5.5 million (2.3%) above the November Revenue Estimating Committee projection and roughly $1.8 million (0.7%) higher than the same period a year earlier.

The report showed divergent results by product. Powerball sales through February were $12 million, a 52.5% decline from the prior year; the director attributed much of that drop to unusually large jackpots during the prior period, saying those prior rollovers were "the driver of the issue." Mega Millions sales were $11.5 million, down about 10.1% year over year. The lottery told the committee that Mega Millions will introduce a $5 ticket (with a $1 add‑on called the megaplexer) and that the new tickets go on sale April 5, following an April 4 drawing. The director said the change typically increases…