Lottery Sales Are Good

The News & Observer The state lottery said today that sales of tickets for the first four games have been at a fast clip, topping $70 million in the first 19 days. That averages to about $3.7 million in sales per day of the scratch-off games. To beat its first-year estimates -- which include adding 50 or more instant games and the Powerball jackpot game -- the state predicts selling an average of $3.5 million in tickets per day. Lottery chief Tom Shaheen said North Carolina's start in the lottery has gone well. "I would venture to say we are one of the top startups in the U.S. as far as total sales," he said. Two new games went on sale today, and more are expected in two weeks. The lottery said that Powerball is on track to start May 30. A five-digit pick 'em game will begin in the late autumn and a three-digit pick 'em game will begin next spring, the lottery said. So far I've bought 0 tickets, at least I'm consistent.