N.C. lottery sales up, but misses projections

Dec 6, 2007, 8:45 am (9 comments)

North Carolina Lottery

North Carolina lottery ticket sales fell short of projections in the past few months, but officials say conditions are improving.

One of the lottery's holiday-themed games, $1 Holiday Cash, is about to sell out of its 6 million tickets. The holiday raffle, in which players buy a limited number of tickets for cash drawings, is outpacing sales of similar raffles in Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and South Carolina. In recent weeks, sales of new games appear to be up.

N.C. lottery director Tom Shaheen said some recent trends suggest players are starting to take interest.

"They are starting to recognize they (the games) are paying out more," he said.

Shaheen told the state Lottery Commission on Wednesday that ticket sales for July, August and September, the lottery's fiscal first quarter, were below projections. The lottery sold more than $221.7 million worth of tickets during that period. Its goal was $239.4 million.

Lottery tickets went on sale in North Carolina in March 2006. Sales have been sluggish as many players have been frustrated that the tickets didn't pay out as much as games in neighboring states. In September, the governor and legislature let lottery officials to put more money toward prizes.

Gov. Mike Easley said this week that he is confident that sales will grow.

"You crank up a billion dollar business in three months and you're not going to be right on target with your predictions," he said.

News & Observer

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chasingadream's avatarchasingadream

hummmm....i wonder why is it that states always expect to hit the ground running. You have to crawl before you walk. I'm sure if they paid the retailers a bonus for selling top tickets that might help a little bit....as fas as adding more lottery outlets

Tenaj's avatarTenaj

In September, the governor and legislature let lottery officials to put more money toward prizes.

Huh? Let? Did they change the law? Let?

mistory's avatarmistory

A new article just came out today. We are FINALLY getting a midday draw in NC!!!! Early this spring...We don't have to write a letter Tenaj!!!

Tenaj's avatarTenaj

Hurray!That is good news. 

Tenaj's avatarTenaj

Just read this on WRAL's website.  They did change the law yesterday.

 

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/2130816/

The announcement comes as the Education Lottery is working to boost sales after the General Assembly changed the law to allow them to increase prize payouts.

Miss Charli's avatarMiss Charli

 I  luv  Holiday Raffle Tickets !!!!! I am trying to get in on a mega millions  lottery pool.  Does anyone know of any lottery pools forming ? Smiley Santa Tonites'  the Mega Millions  lottery  for $115 million.  I can see me winning that for Xmas !  Yahoo  Yeah baby !!!!!!

LOTTOMIKE's avatarLOTTOMIKE

they need to add more games.

Tenaj's avatarTenaj

Quote: Originally posted by LOTTOMIKE on Dec 27, 2007

they need to add more games.

They said they will add midday pick 3 in the spring.  I don't know about pick 4.

NCJB's avatarNCJB

Hopefully those increased odds helps me out.

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