TYLER - Troubled times are forcing East Texans to look for ways to hit the big payoff.

From bingo halls and scratch-off lottery tickets to casino's in nearby Shreveport people are trying their luck during this bad luck economy.

The lottery ticket machine at a Tyler convenient store was getting a workout on Tuesday afternoon.

Apparently East Texans aren't just trying their luck with the lottery.

Although the nation's economy took a historic nosedive last month, Shreveport-Bossier City casino's took in more than 65-million last month which is up from 64 million in October of last year.

Back in Tyler the folks at Tyler Bingo say the crummy economy hasn't affected their business.

Tina Sanchez says they have anywhere from ninety to one hundred-fifty people trying their luck each night.