MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The $640 million Mega Millions jackpot helped drive March’s record-breaking lottery sales, the Minnesota State Lottery said.

March broke the previous record by bringing in $61.6 million, which is a 12 percent increase over the last record month.

Lottery director Ed Van Petten said record scratch sales of nearly $40 million also helped the sales record.

“We have now caught up the entire amount lost in sales during the shutdown, plus about $4 million,” he said.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO’s Susie Jones Reports

Van Petten said if sales continue at the current pace, they will exceed the record $504.5 million dollars set last year.

He credits the hard work of the staff for the results.

Since its inception in April of 1990, the Lottery has contributed more than $2 billion to state programs that benefit all Minnesotans.