The Charlestown Patriot-Bridge reports state Lottery sales are down 30%, which could mean less aid to cities and towns in the coming fiscal year.

for some common sense at 7-11. Went in there earlier for my daily chocolate fix, and saw notices by every register that they are now only accepting cash for scratch ticket purchases (no more debit cards).

Now,I typically stay far away from buying scratch tickets, but I'm still curious. Is this is a 7-11 policy or a Mass Lottery one? If it is a Lottery policy, perhaps the state could go one better and eliminate 90% of the current games - especially the ones that are so old the odds of winning any prize, especially the one remaining big prize, are almost next to nil.

CommonWealth reports a consultant working on the Boston Olympics bid approached the state lottery commission about running a very special lottery to help fund Boston's Olympics effort, should it come to that. The lottery people told him no, that would take an act of the legislature, since, by law, lottery profits are only supposed to go to the state's cities and towns.

Whatever they are, they're about to get a lot worse as the Lottery tries to increase revenue from Megabucks. Lottery players will no doubt keep that in mind when Treasurer Tim runs for governor next year.

The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission needs to hire a proof reader.

Have you seen the new $5 Pinball Wizard instant win scratch ticket?

Within the instructions is the phrase, "Match the Jackpot Number to any Your Number..."