TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas Lottery saw its ticket sales drop
about 1.4 percent during the fiscal year that ended June 30.

But the Lottery noted that it was still the second-best year for sales since the games of chance began in 1987.

Sales were $236.7 million in fiscal 2008. That's about $3.3 million less than the record of $240 million set in fiscal 2007.

Lottery officials said the slumping national economy was a factor. Executive Director Ed Van Petten said about 50 retail stores stopped selling tickets. Most of those went out of business.

And Lottery spokeswoman Sally Lunsford said people simply have
less money to spend on entertainment.