PA Lottery Sales Increase During Tough Economic Times

When the economy takes a direct hit at your wallet, many Pennsylvanians believe they have the golden ticket to a financial rebound. From 2007 to 2008, Pennsylvania Lottery sales jumped dramatically. WFMZ's Jackie Shutack reports.
nats - scanning lottery ticket >> Reporter: Denise Johnson spends roughly 10 dollars a week on lottery tickets at this Nazareth 7-11. >> denise johnson/nazareth: "Actually we
probably play this more faithfully than we did before - I mean seriously every Wednesday every Saturday." >> Reporter: Many Pennsylvanians like Denise are betting that the Pennsylvania lottery could provide them with the ultimate economic rebound. >> "It sure is, everyone is being hit with it." >> marian yarteh/allentown: "The economy's really getting terrible that every day i play lottery - hopefully i'll be one of the winners out there, so i can pay all the debt i have (laughs)." >> karen thompson/allentown: "The first time i played 10 weeks ago i won $10, $10 is better than no dollars!" >> Reporter: And the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is seeing the results. From the December 2007 to December 2008, lottery ticket sales jumped by more than 10%. In fact, Pennsylvania Lottery sales jumped so much in the 3rd quarter of 2008, that the Keystone State now ranks 11th in the nation for increases in total sales. Specifically, instant games, Cash Five, and Match 6 sales spiked. >> jackie knight/7-11 employee: "There's a lot of powerball goin on right now - that's the big one i think, because the jackpot was so high before." >> Reporter: Customers like Denise can only dream of what they might do with the money.... should they strike it big. >> denise johnson/nazareth: "Uggh - everything - education, our house, anything else we can do to get ahead and help someone else." >> Reporter: In Nazareth, Jackie Shutack, 69 News.


Source: wfmz.com