Mississippi Lottery moves up launch dates

The Mississippi Lottery Corporation has moved up its date to begin selling scratch-off tickets and finalized the date multi-state lottery games will be available.

The MLC had set an original target date of Dec. 1 for scratch-off tickets. Last week, the commission announced that the first scratch-off tickets will go on sale Nov. 25.

“The earlier start date reflects our rapid progress,” said MLC President Tom Shaheen in a statement.

The MLC announced today that the multi-state Powerball and Mega Millions tickets will go on sale Jan. 30, 2020. Previously, the MLC had only said those game would be available some time in the first quarter of 2020.

“Mississippians will no longer have to cross into neighboring states to participate in these drawing-style games,” Shaheen said. “They will soon have the opportunity for a chance to play big jackpot games four times per week, as well as many secondary prizes.”

Some retailers who applied to sell lottery tickets have probably already received their acceptance letters after they successfully passed background, financial, tax and credit checks.

“The pillar of the lottery is having successful retailers on board,” Shaheen said. “We are working with retailers to ensure they are well-prepared for launch.”

Retailers who have not signed up and are interested, should visit mslotteryhome.com and click on Retailer Resources. To see a map of approved retailers, go to mslotteryhome.com/retailers/find-a-retailer/

The first $80 million of annual net lottery proceeds will go toward infrastructure needs around the state until June 30, 2028. After that, lottery revenues up to $80 million will go into the state’s general fund. Any net proceeds over $80 million will go to the Education Enhancement Fund, which helps fund pre-k in Mississippi and the classroom supply fund.