Super-Lottery Due Next Week

Lottery Director Mark Michalko today announced an Oct. 14 start-up of the state’s overdue mega-jackpot computer lotto game, expected to create the largest lottery prizes in U.S. history.

The kickoff date for lotto, long awaited by gambling enthusiasts and heavily promoted by the lottery, had been kept a closely guarded secret by state officials. The new game is designed to become the mainstay of the state operation as sales of scratch-off tickets have sagged two-thirds since they began a year ago.