North Dakota Lottery Sales Up Despite Fewer Jackpot Winners

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's lottery director says ticket sales increased slightly in in the state over the last fiscal year despite fewer multimillion dollar jackpots.

Lottery director Randy Miller says North Dakota gamblers wagered just more than $27 million on lottery games for the fiscal year that ended June 30. That's about $100,000 more than the year before.

Miller says the numbers are still being audited and the final figures could change slightly.

Miller says there were fewer jackpots of more than $400 million in the last fiscal year, which likely impacted lottery ticket sales.

North Dakota lottery sales set a record in fiscal 2013 at $27.8 million, or about $800,000 more than last fiscal year.

Miller says jackpots affect ticket sales and some gamblers hold out for bigger payouts before playing.