The Mississippi lottery has generated more than $1 billion dollars in ticket sales since gaming became legal in the state in late 2019.
Mississippi Lottery Corporation officials announced they are happy to have achieved this milestone in less than two years from the first day of sales. Lottery sales topped the $1 billion-mark last November. Net proceeds to the state in 2021 were over $137 million.
Lottery players in Tate County contributed close to $6 million in ticket purchases during those first 24 months. Fourteen local lottery retailers have sold $5,878,874 in tickets. The Mississippi Lottery Corporation completed its December transfer of $9,744,465.12 in net proceeds to the Lottery Proceeds Fund in the Mississippi State Treasury. This brings the approximated Fiscal Year 2022 net proceeds total to $64,049,374.75. December sales in Tate County totaled $258,303.50.
In accordance with the Alyce G. Clarke Lottery Law, the MLC is required to transfer net proceeds within 20 days following the close of each calendar month.
Sales of lottery tickets have resulted in $261 million being given to the State of Mississippi. Each fiscal year, the first $80 million dollars generated go to infrastructure. The amount above that is earmarked to go to the state’s Education Enhancement Fund.
There are more than 1,800 retailers in the state selling chances that ultimately improve roads, bridges, and education.
“Reaching the $1 billion mark is an incredible accomplishment considering the challenges we all faced just three and a half months after we launched,” said MLC President Jeff Hewitt. “Our players have embraced our games, while our lottery retailers and vendors have worked hard to achieve this historic milestone for our organization and Mississippi.”
