Answers to Questions

SA LOTTERIES

In reply to the Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (27 November 2008).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy): I am advised that:

1. The 2008-09 operating budget for SA Lotteries provides for gross sales of $356M. This is a decrease of $10.6M or 2.9 per cent on the 2007-08 sales of $366.6M. The 2007-08 record sales resulted from historically high jackpots for Oz Lotto and Powerball.

The 2008-09 budgeted return to government (excluding unclaimed prizes) is $82.3M, which is $7.1M less than the $91.7M distributed in 2007-08. This is primarily a result of a reduction in gambling tax returned to government due to lower forecast sales.