Is lottery paying off? Excitement, sales waning 1 year later
Friday, March 30th, 2007
By Chris Fitzsimon
By KIM GILLILAND Record Staff Writer
HICKORY - The North Carolina Education Lottery turns 1 today.
The lottery got off to a fast start here. A man won $100,000 on the first day of scratch-off tickets and Catawba County ranked in the top 10 in sales after three months.
But recent data shows the excitement is wearing off.
In April 2006, the first full month of lottery sales, almost $95 million was raised through scratch-off ticket sales alone.
This month, lottery sales through Tuesday were slightly more than $72 million, a drop of more than 25 percent.
Statewide, the figures are similar. According to Pam Walker, spokeswoman for the N.C. Lottery, lawmakers budgeted $1.2 billion in lottery sales for the fiscal year 2006-07 from July 1, 2006, to June 30.
Lottery officials project sales will be about $1 billion by June 30. That’s $200 million short of the state’s projection.
Schools will receive less than planned, but stores here are still feeling a boost. (more…)
Last 5 posts in Daily News
- N.C. lawmakers to create offshore drilling panel - November 21st, 2008
- Basnight suggests a favorite to lead DOT - November 21st, 2008
- Steps N.C. should take to lead on health care - November 21st, 2008
- Democratic party head in N.C. will step down - November 21st, 2008
- Washington wows Hagan - November 21st, 2008
Email This Post
Print This Post
