"The state is bracing for a 1.5 percent drop in lottery revenues this year, another troubling result of the economic crisis"
"Tough times might explain lottery boom" by ASSOCIATED PRESS | January 12, 2009
WTF? All right, MS, which one is the DAMN LIE, huh?
NASHVILLE - More than half of state lotteries have reported rising sales over the past six months, and some researchers say financial insecurity might be driving people to risk more of their money than usual on such games in hopes of a big payoff.
Yeah, PREYING on the POOR who can't afford to gamble their money away to prop up lying looters is a GOOD THING, according to the pro-rich, pro-corporate, agenda-pushing press!
Of the 42 states with lotteries, 25 have experienced higher sales of scratch-off and daily lottery games since July, according to Scientific Games, a maker of scratch-offs. The Massachusetts lottery, for instance, reached a record of $4.7 billion in sales during the last fiscal year, up from $4.4 billion the previous year.
Nationwide, instant and daily lottery revenues have been on the rise since 2004, the Census Bureau says. Some experts say economic hardships prompt people to justify small-stakes gambles even as they cut back on nonessential goods and services. Others pin the increased lottery activity on creative marketing by scratch-off makers and state governments.
Almost as if it were planned. And CUI BONO again?
Scientific Games's chief executive, Lorne Weil, said states do whatever they can to keep sales from falling. "They are consciously working with us to launch new programs, offer tickets at new price points, and increase the number of retail outlets," he said.
Which means NOT LOOKING OUT for YOU, citizen! Now scratch that ticket and get another!
Two out of every five states with lotteries are experiencing falling sales, according to research from Scientific Games. A Rockefeller Institute of Government study released in June says revenue is at an all-time high but growth has slowed to about half of its long-term annual growth rate of 5.1 percent.
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Cahill associate is under scrutiny
Just call him KICKBACK KELLY!