KINGMAN, Ariz. – Facts and figures flew as Executive Director Alec Thomson presented Arizona State Lottery program information during the Oct. 28 tri-city council meeting in Kingman. Thomson told attendees that voter approval in 1980 saw Arizona’s lottery program launch in 1981 before enjoying a business boom over the years, peaking in fiscal year 2026.
“We were at $1.52-billion in sales. That is a record-breaking year for us,” Thomson said. “We gave back our largest transfer back to the state at $329-million.”
The rest of the revenue was used to pay prize winners, retail sales commission, and support 17 beneficiaries under the general categories of health and human services, higher education, environmental conservation and economic and business development.
The 229 of Arizona’s 6,000 lottery ticket retailers located in Mohave County accounted for 6.4% of the state’s sales in fiscal 2026, bringing in $75-million.
Thomson said a new Arizona State Lottery Claim center opened inside the Kingman Walmart store in Aug.
“Previously we had a restriction of claims only up to $50,000. That is now gone. The Kingman claim center can now process claims of all sizes,” Thomson said. “It removes that barrier for players in having to drive down to Phoenix if they win anything bigger. It also keeps some of that money here. Their first purchase after they make that claim might be in Mohave County.”
Thomson said retailers in the north Mohave County communities of White Hills and Littlefield are the state’s top selling sales outlets. When jackpots soar, those outlets get bombarded with ticket purchasing visitors from Nevada and Utah, states without lottery programs.
Thomson said a $2.4-million prize-winning ticket purchased in Littlefield was cashed at the Kingman claim center in Aug.
“I’ve driven by that location in White Hills on my way to Las Vegas and there’s been a line coming out of the building to buy tickets when there’s a really huge jackpot,” said Kingman Mayor Ken Watkins.
“It is those jackpots that really drive sales. Last year we had 2 very large jackpots that helped kind of push us over the edge,” Thomson said. He said Powerball sales typically represent about 30% of Arizona Lottery sales, with 70% of the revenue generated by sale of scratcher, fast play and other instant tickets.
Dave Hawkins
