Tuesday, June 13, 2006

As reported by the Sentinel & Enterprise: ".People are purchasing
Massachusetts Lottery tickets in record numbers, Lottery Communications
Director Beth Bresnahan said Thursday, despite a stagnant economy and rising
gas prices. ".Despite rising fuel prices, Bresnahan said lottery ticket
sales will likely beat last year's total revenue of $4.4 billion. "'."Like
every entertainment option, we expect rising gas prices to affect sales,'
she said. 'Just like movie sales and the travel industry, I'm sure we feel
some of that. The difference is the pay-out. With Mega Millions, people say,
'I'll spend the dollar and take my chance at $10 million.' ".The
Massachusetts Lottery pays out 71.6 percent of profits in prize money,
Bresnahan said. "Last year, that amounted to about $3.2 billion in prizes."