Sep 24, 2008 11:00 pm US/Central
Quick Fix For Tough Times: Lottery Sales Go Up
Powerball Numbers: 5, 13, 21,32, 36 and Powerball is 33
(WCCO)
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While lottery officials attribute part of the rise to new and improved games, some experts believe it has more to do with the economy.
CBS
Many people worrying about how to pay the bills are checking the numbers their Powerball ticket. The Minnesota State Lottery reports ticket sales are up 4 percent for July and August compared to the same time last year.
While lottery officials attribute part of the rise to new and improved games, some experts believe it has more to do with the economy.
"People are cutting back on things across the board, but there are also small indulgences that people are buying more," said Margaret Mueller, an analyst with Independent Lottery Research.
Mueller said core lottery players, which account for 7 to 15 percent of the population, started to cut back on tickets in 2005 and have since leveled off. She believes the rise lotteries see now is due to casual players.
"What we're also seeing is a percentage of people saying, 'If gas hits $5 a gallon, I might actually start playing more,'" she said.
It doesn't take all that many people putting in an extra $1 to $5 a week to increase the overall pot.
Jacque Illig bought $5 worth of Powerball tickets on Wednesday afternoon at the Bobby and Steve's gas station on Washington Avenue. She said she doesn't spend as much on coffee and has started to carpool, but will still buy tickets just for 1 in 3,478,671 chance to win.
"You can't win if you don't try," she said.
Keith McMillan also bought a ticket.
"I don't have the money to spare," he said. "That's why I bought the Powerball."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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