Lottery sales hit record; scratch tickets in lead

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: August 26, 2008 - 9:35 PM

Lottery ticket sales in Minnesota reached a record amount for fiscal year 2008, with $461.5 million sold, lottery officials said this afternoon.

That total is 9.2 percent more than the 2007 sales amount, the Minnesota State Lottery said.

Scratch tickets accounted for nearly two-thirds of the sales ($298 million), while all other games (Powerball, Hot Lotto, Gopher 5, etc.) pulled in the rest, the State Lottery said.

Prizes to players in the fiscal year ending June 30 totaled $279.6 million, or slightly more than 60 percent of what gamblers paid to play.

Various state funds collected millions from lottery proceeds: The general fund ($63.9 million), the Environmental and Natural Resources Fund ($30.6 million), the Game and Fish Fund and the Natural Resources Fund ($10.9 million each).

The remainder was for administrative, vendor and retailer expenses.

"Obviously, we're very pleased with these results," said lottery Executive Director Clint Harris. "We have been designing games that our customers want to play and developing popular promotions with unique prizes. Players have responded enthusiastically to these efforts."

Burnsville psychologist John Gessner, who specializes in treating gambling addiction, said he's surprised by the surge in ticket sales.

"We don't see a lot of addiction to lottery tickets," Gessner said. "We get it, but it's a small percentage."

He characterizes gambling on the lottery as "kind of worthless."

"If you buy them over time, you'll lose 40 percent. ... If it's fun for you to support the government, that's nice. But you might as well send them a check."

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482