Mississippi Lottery Corporation announces $23 million to the State

The history of the lottery in Mississippi has been a long battle with many in disagreement in the benefits and drawbacks of a state lottery. In August 2018, after nearly 100 years without a state lottery, former Gov. Phil Bryant signed the bill creating a state lottery. $80 million of the funds collected each year from the lottery are to go to state infrastructure like roads and bridges, and anything past $80 million will go to education.

The Mississippi Lottery Corporation (MLC) announced the January transfer of $23,620,028.54 to the Lottery Proceeds Fund in the Mississippi State Treasury. This brings the total for the 2021 Fiscal Year to $75,073,228.69.

This brings the net proceeds from the lottery roughly only $5 million away from hitting the $80 million for roads and bridge repairs, and there are still five months left in the fiscal year which leaves plenty of

room for money designated to helping education in the state.

Thomas Shaheen was named president of MLC in May of 2019 – six months before the official launch date of scratch off tickets which were the first part of the Mississippi Lottery to roll out.

“We are thrilled to make this extraordinary contribution to the state,” said Shaheen. “In January, we saw astonishing growth in Powerball® and Mega Millions® sales as a result of the jackpots growing to unprecedented amounts. Additionally, increasing sales in Cash 3 has fueled growth, and instant scratch-off games continue to be popular.”

Mississippi is the 45th state to enact a lottery with Alabama being the only Southern state to not have one, and the transfer of each month’s net proceeds must happen within 20 days from the end of each calendar month.