Mississippi Lottery Corporation’s President and CEO Jeffrey Hewitt has celebrated the amount of money generated for the state since gaming was legalised, with the lottery generating $1bn in sales.
Gaming was legalised in Mississippi in November 2019 and, in that time, the lottery has managed to transfer over $261m to the state to fund good causes for roads, bridges and education.
Hewitt commented to local new outlet WTOK: “It’s been received very well in the state. I think its success speaks for itself.”
Breaking down each annual transfer to the state, the first $80m of proceeds go towards infrastructure in Mississippi, afterwards, funds go towards providing for education in the state.
Hewitt added: “We’re very excited when we can hit that first $80m and start watching that money go into the education fund,” said Hewitt. “So far this year through November, again we’ve not posted our December numbers yet, but we’ve returned $54m dollars to the state, a little over.”
MLC is currently experiencing higher jackpots than usual, normally a catalyst for growth in sales. It is those spikes in sales that help to improve the infrastructure and schooling of students in the Magnolia State.
Hewitt concluded: “You look at now mega millions jackpot is $325m. You can really get caught up in the excitement of those big jackpots, but it’s very important for people to realize just to play responsibly. It only takes one ticket to win.”
