Lottery adds 2d drawing

Agency says another numbers game will mean more money

The Massachusetts State Lottery is giving players of its numbers game double the chances to win - or lose - money.

Starting Monday, the lottery will add a second daily drawing, a move that is expected to generate sales of $27 million and raise $7 million a year for Massachusetts cities and towns.

A midday draw will be held at 12:55 p.m., while the nightly draw will continue to air at 7:57 p.m. Monday to Saturday and at 6:57 p.m. on Sunday.

"Players have asked for" two drawings a day, said lottery spokesman Dan Rosenfeld. "It's a greater opportunity for winners to make money and for us to raise money for the cities. It's growing the pie for everyone."

The expansion of the numbers game is the latest attempt by the agency to boost sales after a rare down year in 2007.

In the last year, the lottery has added a $20 scratch-off ticket and made a number of changes to its Keno game, including a mobile version that players can play on the go.

The changes appear to be paying off. Rosenfeld said the lottery is in the "midst of its best year ever" with sales projected to reach $4.7 billion this year.

However, sales from the numbers game continue to lag and have lagged in recent years. In 2004, the numbers game brought in $362 million, or 8.2 percent of total revenue, while last year it brought in $344 million, or 7.7 percent of overall sales.

As the lottery's revenue has plateaued, Governor Deval L. Patrick has proposed construction of three casinos in Massachusetts, which could further threaten the lottery's future.

All revenue generated after paying out prizes and administration is distributed to the 351 cities and towns. Lottery revenue fell 1.4 percent in fiscal 2007, and lottery aid to cities and towns declined $59 million, or 6.2 percent.

"State finances are in a rough spot right now," said Ian Pulsipher, a policy specialist at the National Conference of State Legislatures. "And gambling is a way to increase revenue without raising taxes."

Massachusetts is the latest state to draw numbers more than once a day. Currently, all the New England states except Rhode Island have two or more drawings a day.

Recently, the lottery released its first $20 instant ticket, which offers more than $1 billion in prizes.

The agency also dramatically expanded the Keno game over the years, first by extending its hours to 20 hours a day and shortening the time between games from five minutes to four minutes. Then in April, the lottery introduced Keno-to-Go, a game that lets people buy tickets at outlets and check results on the lottery's website.

When a Keno racing game didn't take off as expected, the agency switched from virtual cars to cartoon horses.

Since implementing the changes, lottery sales increased by 5.5 percent from last year and 3.5 percent from its previous high.

"Things are looking up right now, but with $4 a gallon gas, we will see," Rosenfeld said.

Angel L. Jennings can be reached at ajennings@globe.com.