In 2023, 16 German lottery companies collectively experienced a notable increase in profits from online sales, reaching approximately €8.2 billion. This marks a 2.9% growth compared to the previous year, as reported by Axel Holthaus, the Managing Director of LOTTO Niedersachsen.
Of the total revenue, around €4 billion was allocated to payouts for winning tickets. Holthaus emphasized that substantial winnings often attract more participants, while even smaller prizes contribute to the enjoyment of the lottery experience for Germans.
Sven Osthoff, the head of LOTTO in Lower Saxony, highlighted the role of online sales in promoting lottery draws and tickets, providing an additional avenue alongside the 21 thousand physical "lottery shops" across Germany where patrons can purchase tickets and test their luck.
Maintaining its status as the most popular lottery in the country, LOTTO 6aus49 accounted for around €3.8 billion in prize money in 2023. This classic game constituted approximately 46% of the total sales in government-approved lotteries.
