MS Lottery tech partner to contribute $10,000 annually to HBCUs

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The Mississippi Lottery Corporation, along with its gaming and instant ticket printing vendor, International Game Technology PLC, announced Wednesday that IGT will contribute $10,000 annually in scholarship funds to benefit students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Mississippi. Five individual HBCU schools will receive $2,000 per year for the duration of IGT’s contract to fund scholarships for deserving students.

The five HBCUs include Rust College in Holly Springs, Alcorn State University in Alcorn, Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, and Tougaloo College and Jackson State University, both located in Jackson.

“Since the first day of sales Nov. 25, 2019, the Mississippi Lottery Corporation has exceeded all sales expectations and revenue return to the State of Mississippi,” said MLC President Tom Shaheen. “This could not have happened without the knowledge, expertise and experience of IGT. We are very proud to have a partner also willing to give back to Mississippi in the form of contributions to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”

“When IGT began its partnership with the Mississippi Lottery, we made a commitment to not only introduce growth-driving solutions for the Lottery, but to also give back to the local communities and residents of Mississippi,” said Jay Gendron, IGT chief operating officer, lottery. “IGT is extremely proud to collaborate with the lottery and Mississippi’s HBCUs to provide opportunities for students with diverse backgrounds to further their studies and move on to lead promising careers.”

IGT is the lottery technology partner to the Mississippi Lottery and supplies the lottery with its draw-based central system, lottery terminals, instant tickets, warehousing and distribution of instant tickets, marketing support, field services, call center operations, retailer training, and primary and back up data centers. IGT has had a presence in Mississippi since 1992 through its gaming operations and helped open the first casino in the state. In 2019, IGT opened a local office and a warehouse in the greater Jackson area near the Mississippi Lottery Corporation headquarters to ensure collaboration, maximize efficiency and address opportunities.