DES MOINES, IA ?" Boosted by strong sales of scratch-off tickets, Iowa Lottery sales rose 5.6 percent for the past six months, compared to the same July-December period a year earlier, the Des Moines Register reports.
The increase boosted Iowa's Lottery revenue to $128.2 million, with profits reaching $32.7 million, an increase of 15.3 percent from the same period in 2009.
"It continues to be a very positive year for the Iowa Lottery," said Iowa Lottery Vice President Mary Neubauer.
Neubauer said instant-scratch tickets have been strong, and that operating expenses have held steady.