Why the West Valley?
A state Lottery official said the areas where tickets are purchased do not necessarily mean the area’s residents purchased tickets because people travel. “It’s all about where they stopped to buy, not where they live,” said Karen Emery, deputy director of the Arizona Lottery. But Arizona State University economics professor Tim James, who has researched the state Lottery, said demographics go a long way in explaining the high-sales ZIP codes. “That’s where all the seniors live,” said James, of ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business. Seniors, he said, have more time and discretionary income, which beefs up sales. “They’re a bit bored and have more time and more discretionary (income) on their hands,” James said. David Gale, executive director of the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, an industry non-profit, said the typical lottery player is a Baby Boomer “who’s getting older.” Nationally, the typical lottery player is 35 to 65 years old. Arizona’s higher senior
