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N.C. official defends lottery shortfall

NORTH CAROLINA – As reported by the North Carolina News & Observer: "The head of the N.C. Education Lottery Tuesday urged patience for critics who say the games have fallen short of their first-year sales goal.

"Executive Director Tom Shaheen said he hopes to spark sales this spring with two new games and a new twist on a third.

"Lottery sales are expected to miss their $1.2 billion goal by $200 million.

"…Overall, the games are expected to generate $350 million for education in its first year.

"…But scratch-off sales, which drive revenues, have fallen steadily since July, from $52 million that month to less than $37 million in December. Shaheen has blamed that on a natural drop in interest as well as competition from games in every border state.

"Lottery commissioner Jim Woodward of Charlotte said the initial goals were 'probably unrealistic.'…"

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