By Matt Viser, Globe Staff Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill announced today that the state is preparing for a 1.5 percent drop in lottery revenue this year, a blow from the faltering economy that will total $17 million. Treasurer Timothy P….

A new game generated more than 600 top-prize tickets and officials blame the lottery contractor

Massachusetts state Treasurer Timothy Cahill will cut the lottery budget by $3 million in preparation for lottery receipts to be off 1.5 percent.

As early voting is already underway in Arkansas, groups on both side of the lottery issue continue debating. At noon today, Lt. Governor Bill Halter is scheduled to talk to a group at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock.

Virginia Lottery winners want their prizes; officials blame lottery contractor.

WINDSOR, Ontario, Oct. 22 (UPI) — A Canadian lottery corporation in Ontario is withholding a Windsor man’s $100,000 winnings because he couldn’t remember the date and time he bought the ticket.

State lottery officials, who have enjoyed strong sales in a struggling economy, expect next year to be a bit tougher.