PRIZE BOND sales have recorded very strong growth in the first nine months of 2009, pushing the total fund above €1 billion for the first time in its 52-year history.

PRIZE BOND sales hit a record high of €143.2 million in 2007, the 50th anniversary of their launch.

Gross sales of prize bonds in 2005 exceeded €133m, an increase of 5.7% on 2004 figures, according to the Prize Bond Company’s annual report released today.

OVER €7 million has been paid out to prize bond winners so far this year as the value of prizes won has increased by 11% over the same period last year.

The Prize Bond company’s has announced gross sales for 2004 of more than €126m in its annual report.