By Randal Edgar – Providence Journal
PROVIDENCE — The flow of dollars from the state Lottery to state coffers grew by $10.2 million during the past fiscal year, a new audit concludes.
Lottery revenues totaled $354.9 million for the year ending June 30, an increase of about a half-percent over the previous year, according to the audit, released this week.
Income from the Lottery’s traditional instant-ticket and online games was down, but video-lottery revenues from Twin River and Newport Grand were up $24.8 million — more than enough to make up the difference.
All told, Lottery revenues exceeded projections by more than $1.8 million, contributing to a $60.8-million surplus that the state reported in September.
The audit findings come as the Massachusetts Senate debates a bill that would license three casinos and a slot parlor — a move that could affect business at Twin River. The plan has already been approved by the Massachusetts House of Representatives, though the two chambers would have to work out differences between their bills.
Rhode Island officials are watching closely given the key role Twin River plays in generating income for the state.
The state took in $270.4 million from the slot parlor during the past fiscal year, up from $250.7 million in 2010, according to figures from the state Department of Revenue. For the fiscal year that began July 1, the state is projecting Twin River at $276.8 million, said Paul Dion, chief of the state Office of Revenue Analysis.