13 July 2020

Lotterywest announces returns to the WA community

Lotterywest has announced $732 million in returns to the Western Australian community through prizes and grants over 2019-20. This was achieved on the back of stronger than expected sales of $959 million. 

WA players shared in $439 million of lottery prizes, while $292 million was allocated in grants to help the local community.

Lotterywest Acting CEO Jeremy Hubble said that while the year had presented challenges for the WA community, Lotterywest had remained committed to supporting our State through these tough times.

“This financial year our players have had another great run including 69 Division One Lotto winners and 67 Scratch’n’Win Top Prize winners, being a 30% increase,” Mr Hubble said.

“For the wider community, it’s been a challenging time with COVID-19 impacting many people and businesses.

“With the support of the Premier and the State Government, Lotterywest was able to swiftly respond to help players, retailers and community groups by reprioritising resources and providing greater flexibility. 

“A commitment was made to direct all available profit on ticket sales towards a newly established $159 million COVID-19 Relief Fund, which at the end of 2019‑20, provided 369 grants worth $38 million, with more to come.”

Including the COVID-19 Relief Fund, this financial year Lotterywest provided a total of 818 direct grants to the community, totalling more than $118 million.

“A big thank you to all those Western Australians who responded to the call to support this initiative by buying a Lotterywest ticket,” Mr Hubble said.

“In addition to the 330 groups that received Lotterywest support through the COVID‑19 Relief Fund, a further 424 not-for-profit community organisations and local government authorities were also supported with more than $81 million in direct grants.”

The wide range of groups supported through Lotterywest direct grants program ranged from $3,523 to the South West Women’s Health and Information to support post-natal well-being, to $1.2 million to FORM towards a cultural arts space in South Hedland.

Over 2019-20, Lotterywest provided $174 million funding to the State’s public hospitals, sports and recreational groups, and the arts.

On behalf of Lotterywest, Mr Hubble expressed sincere appreciation to the more than 500 Lotterywest small business operators across Western Australia.

“Our retailers provide excellent service to customers and play a significant role raising these much-needed funds for the community.” he said.

Western Australia is the only lottery in the nation, and one of the few in the world, that is State Government-owned and operated, where the profits raised go directly back to the community.

An infograph of this information is available on the Lotterywest website:

www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au/lotterywest/where-the-money-goes

Note to editors: figures are preliminary until audited, include write backs and rounded to the nearest million.

Media Enquiries: Pina Compagnone & James Mooney 9488 6227 / 0438 996 884