Iowa Lottery Sales Surge Ahead of Projections

Lottery CEO cites big jackpots as driving force behind 9% sales increase

Mar. 26, 2026 at 8:17pm

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Iowa Lottery sales have continued to outpace projections for the current fiscal year, with CEO Matt Strawn reporting a nearly 9% increase through February. Strawn attributes the momentum to a couple of large Powerball jackpots that have driven sales up 118% compared to the previous fiscal year.

Why it matters

Strong lottery sales are an important revenue source for the state of Iowa, helping to fund critical public services and programs. The lottery's performance is closely watched as an indicator of consumer spending and economic conditions in the state.

The details

According to Strawn, Iowa Lottery sales have remained "robust" and are running ahead of both last year's results and the lottery's own budget projections for fiscal year 2026. The surge in sales has been fueled by a pair of large Powerball jackpots, which have driven a 118% increase in Powerball ticket purchases compared to the prior fiscal year.

  • Through February 2026, Iowa Lottery sales were up nearly 9% compared to the same period last fiscal year.

The players

Matt Strawn

CEO of the Iowa Lottery.

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What they’re saying

“Those continue to be robust as we're ahead of both last year's performance and our budget projections for fiscal '26. So, I am confident that we will continue a pace that keeps us ahead of last year's results.”

— Matt Strawn, CEO

The takeaway

The Iowa Lottery's strong sales performance is a positive sign for the state's economy, as robust lottery revenues can help fund important public services and programs. The surge in Powerball sales, driven by large jackpots, underscores the public's continued interest in lottery games despite economic uncertainties.