Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, January 13, 2009
(UNDATED) - The plunging economy appears to be giving a boost to more than half the nation’s state lotteries — but it’s having the opposite effect in Indiana.
25 of the 42 states with lotteries report they're selling more scratch-off tickets the last six months, perhaps a result of people hoping for a quick answer to their financial worries.
But Indiana scratch-offs are down two-percent from the same period in 2007.
The lottery has taken a second punch from the luck of the draw. There have been fewer of the giant Powerball and Hoosier Lotto jackpots that drive up sales for those games.
Powerball sales are down nationwide, including Indiana, leaving overall lottery proceeds in the state down 11-percent.
Reed says the lottery is planning new instant games, and hoping for a boost in Powerball sales.
Florida joined the multistate game this month, which will push jackpots higher.
Powerball has also sweetened the starting jackpot from $15 million to $20 million. The prize for matching five numbers has been increased from $200,000 to a million.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.