As the Texas Lottery game the Texas Two Step appears to be going broke, some are concerned that may ultimately lead to dipping into school funds to pay the jackpots.

While Al Bockman spent $39 on Texas Lottery games Tuesday, he didn't bet one dime on the Texas Two Step.

"Because it doesn't win," he said of the game. "I mean, you get two numbers, you get nothing. You got to get two numbers and a ball."

Complaints such as Bockman's may be the reason behind why not enough people are buying tickets to support the guaranteed jackpot of the Texas Two Step.

For the first time since 2002, the sales and reserve fund couldn't cover Monday's $225,000 jackpot, which had two winners.

One North Texas lottery watchdog, Dawn Nettles of Garland, said she calculates low Two Step sales will lead the state to look to school funds to dole out the winnings. Her numbers have been right before. Nettles tracks lottery games and money in an online newsletter called www.LottoReport.com.

"Well, somebody is going to be shorted, the schools in this case," she said. "It's just that simple."

But officials at the Texas Lottery says winners still get their payouts and the school fund is never touched until reserves and an emergency lottery account are tapped out.

"We hope that it doesn't happen," said Bobby Heath, Texas Lottery, about any risk directed towards school funds. "And we hope that we can generate enough sales through making the games, fun and exciting."

Nettles shook up the Texas Lottery in 2005 when she revealed it advertised Lotto Texas jackpots higher than ticket sales. She said she believes the lottery should scrap guaranteed jackpots since the Texas Two Step's number is up.

"Pay as you go," she said. "Pay what you can afford. Pay what you have in your pocket to pay."

E-mail bwatson@wfaa.com