Tom Wickham, 54, set down his 2-liter soda bottle and went to work on a crossword scratch card.

The Grass Valley carpenter, who had stopped for gasoline at a Chevron station in Marysville Wednesday, said that he won $20 once about a year ago, playing a similar lottery game.

Business wasn't as slow then as it is now, he said.

He only plays when he's bored, and on Wednesday, he was bored.

"The odds suck," he said, waving the evidence. "This is a loser. I could have bought four cans of tuna for this."

Recent economic hardship has coincided with — and some analysts say it has caused — record lottery sales in most states.

But fiscal year 2007-08 has seen an 8 percent drop in California's lottery sales, according to Al Lundeen, press secretary for the state Lottery Commission.

The agency will release official numbers next month when an audit is completed. The ballpark estimate, Lundeen said, is $3.1 billion: Sutter County's contribution was $6 million. Yuba County's was about $4.5 million.

According to Lundeen, the difference between California, and those states with soaring lottery sales, lies in payoff sizes.

California law currently restricts the percentage of lottery sales that can be used to fund player prizes.

"The states that are doing better dedicate more than 60 percent," Lundeen said.

In California, 53 percent of lottery sales fund prize money; 34 percent go to schools; and the remainder pays retailers and the administrators for running the show.

Ron Turner, 49, is willing to play, regardless.

"I dream about floating on a carpet full of money," said the Yuba City resident, who said he makes his living playing blackjack at area casinos.

The multi-state Mega Million pot — which draws on Tuesdays and Fridays — was up to $15 million, and the Super Lotto — which draws on Wednesdays and Saturdays, was up to $25 million — as of Wednesday afternoon.

Turner plays some type of lottery game every day.

Derrick Bond, 39, said he spends $50 to $60 every week on lottery tickets and scratch games.

Bond works at a local grocery store and is attending school to become a pharmacy technician.

On Wednesday, he stopped into a 7-Eleven on Butte House Road in Yuba City for five Super Lotto picks and a scratch card. Winning numbers were scheduled to be posted within the next couple of hours.

"I'll check the Internet tonight," he said.

If he hits it big, he said, "I'll take care of my relatives, then I'll take care of the homeless."

With his 8-year-old daughter Ashley in tow, Hans Schoonmaker emerged from the convenience store with a Lotto ticket he hadn't intended to purchase.

He said he seldom plays.

"But I just looked up and saw it was at $25 million," he said.

Schoonmaker, who works for Sprint Cellular, said his company has been hit hard by the poor economy, and a financial cushion couldn't hurt.

If his numbers happened to match up for a big prize, he said he'd be able to put his three kids through college.

"And we'll go live at Disneyland," said Ashley.

Wickham, the guy with the losing scratch ticket, said he no longer has such big dreams.

If he wins, he said, "I'll have some avocado with my tuna."

For the Record

Largest Lotto Jackpot in California:

• $315 million. It was won on Nov. 15, 2005. There was only one winning ticket, but the prize was claimed by seven people.

Top Four Lotto Jackpots Won by Individuals:

• $141 million won on June 23, 2001. The ticket was purchased at a liquor store in San Jose.

• $110 million won on July 5, 2006. The ticket was purchased at a liquor store in South Pasadena

• $91 million won on Aug. 9, 2003. The ticket was purchased at a liquor store in Carson.

• $89 million won on March 3, 2001. The ticket was purchased at a 7-Eleven in Moraga.

The Largest Group to claim a Lotto Jackpot:

• Boasts 56 winners. Their jackpot of $18.68 million, won on Aug. 30, 1995, was one-third of $56 million. The ticket was purchased in Los Angeles, and yes, they all get separate checks.

Source: calottery.com