For Texas lottery sales, it's all about revenue
. . . continued from page one
Heith said it's difficult to gauge how slumping lottery sales will affect the state budget. The first $10 million in funds from the commission's unclaimed prizes (winning lottery tickets that have not been redeemed) are allocated to storm-ravaged University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston through the Multicategorical Teaching Hospital Account before they are transferred back to the state's General Fund.
Although sales are down somewhat, Heith said the commission is already starting to see a turnaround. "We're seeing a reduction in sales deficit."
The lottery spokesman said some players are spending less, and some are spending differently.
Some players are buying fewer of the more expensive games and more of the lower-priced tickets, he said.
Texas' lottery sales decline is modest compared to other states. Sales are down 5 percent and 7 percent in California and Florida, respectively. This difference could, in part, be the result of what Heith calls Texas' assertive scratch-off strategy.
"We're always looking at new scratch-off games. We're aggressive in that," adding that it takes less time to introduce new scratch-off games than online versions. TLC introduces about 100 new scratch-off games per year, which accounts for 76 percent of total lottery sales.
"We're also looking at some add-on features," Heith said of the commission's online games.
