(Little Rock, AR)  --  Arkansas' state-run lottery figures to launch in the middle of a recession, and that might not be such bad news. 

Some industry insiders say an economic downturn is a good time to bet on a lottery, thinking more people want a chance to hit it big and solve their financial problems. 

Some states are showing ticket sales are down this year, but in other states sales are up. 

In Missouri, sales are down three-percent compared to a year ago.  Oklahoma's sales are down seven-percent from a year ago, but Louisiana's sales are up by more than one-and-a-half-percent. 

Indian gaming is seen as a rival for the lottery in Oklahoma, and Arkansas' lottery will have comparatively little competition.


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