Lottery sales in Iowa have been through the roof. Proceeds in the current budget year are up more than 10 percent over the same period last year and 27 percent over the year before that.

So while there are no immediate plans to change how and where residents can play the lottery in Iowa, officials expect there will be in the near future.

States across the nation, including neighboring Illinois and Minnesota, are rolling out new lottery features and promotions — including options to play online, via smartphone or at the gas pump.

“Technology today is opening up amazing avenues for us to do business in different and new ways,” said Mary Neubauer, vice president of external relations for the Iowa Lottery. “But you don’t have to rush into things.”

Strong sales have given Iowa Lottery officials the ability to take their time before implementing new technologies and gaming methods, Neubauer said. But they’re carefully watching the states that have rolled out online gaming and pay-at-the-pump options.

Neubauer said the Iowa Lottery doesn’t need legislators to change the Iowa Code to enable online gaming or sales at the pump.

“We do have the authority to do so if we choose to,” she said.

Do you think the Iowa Lottery should push ahead on new technologies and playing methods, as other states have done?