INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Indiana lottery officials are blaming a big drop in ticket sales for a decision to slash the rate at which Hoosier Lotto jackpots grow.
 
       The Hoosier Lotto prizes start after a winner at $1 million for the first two drawings and have gone up by $500,000 for each drawing afterward. Under the change made last month, the jackpot increases by $200,000 for Wednesday drawings and $300,000 for Saturday drawings.
 
       Lottery spokeswoman Stephanie McFarland tells The Indianapolis Star that the change was needed to continue operating the game responsibly and maximize revenue for the state.
 
       Ticket sales for the Hoosier Lotto game have dropped nearly 25 percent from about $61 million in fiscal year 2012.