Poor Economy Drives Minnesota State Lottery Sales - 08-27-08

August 27 - It's no surprise that the US state of Minnesota State Lottery has recorded its largest-ever sales of lottery tickets and scratch cards to the tune of $461.5 million this year alone, when you consider the country's vast economic downturn and current housing disaster.

It seems that for many cash-strapped folks in Minnesota, the Minnesota State Lottery is increasingly being regarded as a potential 'financial savior' that is offering the chance of winning instant riches that will magically solve all of their money worries and woes.

During its current fiscal year the Minnesota State Lottery recorded a massive 9.2 percent increase on its 2007 results. Of its total lottery sales, players spent $298 million on instant win scratch cards and $163.5 million on all other lottery draws and games including Powerball and Hot Lotto.

As a result many people in the state have labeled the Minnesota State Lottery as 'the poor people's tax', a cynical but undoubtedly accurate label. Up until the company's year end on June 30th, it paid out almost $280 million in cash prizes and jackpots - just over 60 percent of the total lottery sales.

Said Minnesota State Lottery executive director Clint Harris, 'We are obviously thrilled with our results which reflect the way we have been designing lottery games with the needs and wants of our players in mind. As such we have developed many popular lottery promotions with unique and generous prizes on offer.'

One man intrigued by Minnesota State Lottery's impressive results is John Gessner, a psychologist from the town of Burnsville, Minnesota who treats many patients that are addicted to gambling.

'I have to admit that I am quite surprised that lottery ticket sales are up as I haven't noticed any increase in lottery addicts, although the percentage of people addicted to lottery games has always been very small,' said John.