The National Lottery generated a surplus of £128.2 million (euro 162.8 million) for good causes last year, a slight increase on 1999, while £203.7 million (52 per cent of sales) was returned to players in prizes.
The Lottery's annual results show sales increased by 3.4 per cent to £390.1 (euro 495.3 million). Total operating costs were £58.2 million (euro 73.9 million) which amounted to 14.9 per cent of sales.
Thirty new Lotto millionaires were created bringing the total number of people who have become Lotto millionaires to 161. The largest jackpot won in 2000 was on the July 15th when £5.2 million (6.6 million) was shared by two winning tickets.
The National Lottery's chairman, Mr John Hynes, said: "the increase in sales ofcame mainly from Tellybingo which, in its first full year of operation, achieved sales of £15.6 million (euro 19.8 million)."
Lotto Plus generated sales of £7.3 million in just two months.
Since its inception in 1987, the Lottery has also raised more than £1.2 billion for distribution by the Government.
The 2000 funds raised were allocated by the Government to various categories as follows: Youth, sport, recreation and amenities - £58.1 million; arts, cultureand national heritage - £48.0 million; health and welfare - £25.4 million; Irish language - £1.9 million.
