DES MOINES, IA - The Iowa Lottery generated its highest combined sales total since 1985, the Des Moines Register reports.

Combining sales from lotto, instant-scratch and pull tab games, the total reached $271.4 million.

For the fiscal year that ended June 30, sales rose six percent ?" or $15.1 million ?" over last year, a gain attributed to promotions.

Lottery sales generated almost $68.1 million for the state??s chief financial account, which pays for education and health care.

Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich said that the lottery performs well during a bad economy because it is inexpensive, and "you??re able for a couple of bucks to dream about what might be."