COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the first time in the South Carolina Education Lottery’s history, sales have topped $1 billion.

The Associated Press reports that the milestone was reached on May 9, with seven more weeks to go until the 2006 fiscal year ends. Instant lottery tickets make up 60 percent of lottery sales with sales from the multi-state Powerball coming in second.

The state's previous lottery sales record was set during the last fiscal year at $957 million. South Carolina began its lottery in January 2002 to fund various state education programs.