CHATTANOOGA – Sales of the new $30 scratch-off lottery ticket in Georgia and $25 ticket in Tennessee have been very strong, the Times Free Press reports.

"People are buying them like crazy," said Tessa Mize, a clerk at the Mega Star gas station in Rossville, Georgia. The Peach State launched the high-priced ticket last week, which carries a $10 million grand prize.

Meanwhile, Tennessee Lottery officials said sales of its $25 instant ticket, introduced last April, have also been positive.

"We've been very pleased with sales at this price point," said Rebecca Hargrove, president and CEO of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corp. "It's not for everyone, but the payout and the opportunity for the larger prizes is the type of game some players prefer."

The Georgia Lottery decided to launch a $30 ticket based after market research revealed a strong market opportunity, lottery spokeswoman Tandi Reddick said. "Players have been asking for a higher price point ticket," she said. "Our neighboring states are having great success with tickets at high price points, including Florida and Tennessee, both of which offer $25 tickets. Florida has also offered a $30 ticket. Many states are also offering higher price-point tickets, including Texas, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Connecticut."

The odds of winning in Georgia improve as lottery ticket prices increase. For Georgia’s $30 ticket, the odds of winning any prize are 1 in 2.77, compared to 4.64 for its $1 scratch-off ticket.