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Every scratch-off ticket at an Arizona gas station or grocery store checkout follows a schedule, even if players never see it. The Arizona Lottery plans its scratcher lineup nearly a year in advance, and Director of Products Mary Cimaglio walked PlayUSA through how the agency decides what launches, what gets pulled and what earns a permanent spot on the shelf.
Although the Arizona Lottery does not sell tickets online, third-party lottery couriers have introduced another way for residents to participate in draw games.
These services purchase physical tickets through licensed retailers on customers’ behalf, a distinction worth understanding as online lottery options continue to evolve across the country.
What shapes Arizona’s next scratch-off release
The Lottery isn’t guessing at what players want next.
“We develop our game launch calendar nearly a year in advance, but it’s always evolving based on consumer trends and sales needs,” Cimaglio said.
Part of that process means looking outside Arizona’s own borders.
“When selecting new games, we look closely at what’s performing well in other jurisdictions, while also making sure every new ticket fits into our current portfolio without cannibalizing our existing products.”
When a game gets pulled — and returns
Novelty drives most of the calendar. “Generally, players are drawn to what’s new, so we maintain a steady schedule of new launches,” Cimaglio said.
The actual trigger for retiring a game comes from the retail side, not a fixed calendar date.
“When retailers stop reordering a game, we start the game-ending process to clear out older inventory and make room for fresh options on the counter.”
Some games don’t just disappear, though. “Certain themes consistently perform well. For those, we aim to introduce new versions as the previous run sells out,” she said.
The Lottery is specifically watching for games that hold steady rather than spike and fade.
“We look for games that sustain steady sales over several months rather than seeing a sharp drop once the novelty wears off. If a game holds its momentum, we’ll typically bring it back the following year to confirm its appeal. If it continues to perform, it often earns a spot as a permanent core game in our portfolio.”
Keeping prize payouts predictable
Arizona aims to maintain consistent prize expectations across its lineup rather than varying them significantly from ticket to ticket. “In Arizona, we aim for consistency with our top prizes and game payouts so players know what to expect at each price point,” Cimaglio said.
Occasionally, that consistency bends for a theme. “We’ll make a slight adjustment to match a game’s theme, like offering a $48,000 top prize on our State 48 ticket instead of the standard $50,000.”
Most of what a ticket brings in goes right back out to players. “The vast majority of sales from each game go right back to players in prizes, typically ranging from 59% to 79%,” she said.
That money isn’t all chasing the jackpot.
“While a good portion of that funding supports the big top prizes, a significant amount is dedicated to break-even prizes and smaller payouts that players can easily cash at retail. Keeping that balance ensures players stay engaged while we continue generating funding for the state programs the Lottery supports.”
Those contributions can add up significantly. Arizona Lottery sales reached a record $1.52 billion in fiscal year 2026, generating hundreds of millions of dollars for public programs across the state, including higher education, transportation and conservation efforts.
Why a five-minute scratcher still beats digital games
Scratchers continue to generate substantial sales nationally, even as digital games expand. Cimaglio attributes that success to the format’s immediacy. “They’re simple, easy to understand, and deliver that instant gratification players love,” she said.
The contrast with draw games is the whole pitch.
“With draw games, you have to wait hours or days for the numbers to drop, but with a scratcher, the excitement happens right in your hands the moment you buy it.”
She frames it as a small, portable break in someone’s day. “It’s a quick, fun, five-minute entertainment break that easily fits into someone’s everyday routine, whether they’re filling up at the pump or stopping by the grocery store.”
Arizona players still need to visit an authorized retailer to purchase traditional scratch-off tickets, as the state does not offer digital versions through its Lottery platform. In other jurisdictions, however, players can access online scratch-off games through digital lottery platforms and other services.
The $20 ticket that won another run
Asked to name a standout, Cimaglio didn’t hesitate. “The spring return of our $20 Jumbo Bucks ticket was a major success,” she said. The design was simple, but players responded to what was behind it.
“The artwork was clean and simple, but players responded in a big way to the $1 million top prize and the added Million Dollar promotion.”
The strong response earned the game a recurring spot on the calendar. “The response was so strong that it’s now earned a regular spot on our calendar as an every-other-year release.”
What’s next for Arizona Lottery players
Cimaglio said the Lottery’s next moves are less about the ticket itself and more about what surrounds it.
“We’re continuing to look for ways to add value beyond the scratch itself: whether that’s through second-chance promotions, seasonal campaigns, or introducing fresh themes that resonate locally with Arizona players,” she said.
A scratch-off ticket isn’t a one-off product for the Arizona Lottery. It’s part of a managed lineup with its own launch calendar, retirement triggers, and a path back to the shelf for games that prove they can hold an audience.
Cimaglio’s description of the process resembles that of any other retail category: Watch what sells, cut what doesn’t and bring back what works.
