BIG-BUCKS LURE SENDS LOTTO BLOTTO

ALBANY – New Yorkers this year have been tantalized by the major jackpots of the Mega Millions game rather than plucking down a dollar and a dream on the older Lotto, The Post has learned.

With its smaller prizes, Lotto sales since January have dropped nearly 22 percent over last year, while the multi-state Mega Millions game has seen its sales in New York grow steadily since its inception in May 2002, according to the state Lottery Division.

“They’re jackpot games and people go for the higher jackpots,” said Lottery Division spokeswoman Carolyn Hapeman.

As of Dec. 15, Mega Millions, which has a minimum $10 million jackpot, has taken in about $400 million this year.

Lotto, by contrast, has a $3 million minimum jackpot and has taken $338 million this year, down from $433 million last year.

Meanwhile, Quick Draw, the barroom video game, saw a 2.8 percent increase in sales this year despite a dip after the statewide smoking ban went into effect, Lottery officials said.

Total lottery sales through Dec. 15 exceed $5.4 billion, up 6.8 percent from the same period in 2002.

Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Queens) accused the state of trying to solve its fiscal problems on the backs of those who can least afford it.

“It doesn’t matter if more people are playing one game more than another,” Padavan said. “They’re preying on low income earners who can’t afford to lose that money.”

In addition to Mega Millions, New Yorkers pinned their hopes on instant games, which saw a combined 14 percent increase in sales.

But like Lotto, sales for the daily Numbers, Take 5, and Pick 10 all declined compared with last year, according to the Lottery statistics.

NEW YORK LOTTERY

Calendar Year Sales (unaudited) In Millions

Through 12/15/03 12/15/02 $ Change % Change

Lotto $ 338 $ 433 $ (95)-21.9%

Mega Millions $ 397 $ 259 $ 138 53.3%

Numbers $ 737 $ 741 $ (4)-0.5%

Win 4 $ 579 $ 559 $ 20 3.6%

Take 5 $ 352 $ 383 $ (31)-8.1%

Quick Draw $ 476 $ 463 $ 13 2.8%

Pick 10 $ 32 $ 34 $ (2)-5.9%