(Radio Iowa) Iowa Lottery C-E-O, Matt Strawn, predicted it would be hard to match the last two fiscal years — which were the most profitable in the organization’s history. But he says the first two months of this fiscal year that started in July have far exceeded expectations.

Gross sales totaled nearly 78 million dollars in the two months and are around 32 percent ahead of budget projections.

Large jackpots in games are unpredictable, and Strawn says they are still remaining cautious about how the full year will go.

Strawn says they have been focusing on ways to improve revenue and that has included the lotto game category and more drawings.

He says along with the additional draw for Lotto America, the jackpot has exceeded 20 million dollars for the first time in a number of years. Lottery Chief Revenue Officer John Ross says they also have increased the number of stores selling Lottery products by adding 57 Walmart stores. Ross says the economy still remains a concern for the fiscal year ahead.

The two made their comments at today’s (Tuesday) Iowa Lottery Board meeting.