POWERBALL AND MEGAMILLIONS COMING IN JANUARY 2020
JACKSON, MISS. – Amid lively music from the Southern Komfort Brass Band and a live radio remote from Mix 98.7, Mississippi Lottery Corporation (MLC) board members, elected officials, MLC employees, Sweet Potato Queens and an Elvis Presley tribute artist gathered around Rep. Alyce G. Clarke as she made a ceremonial purchase of the first lottery ticket in Mississippi at H and R Raceway located at 5785 State Hwy. 18 in Jackson.
The first four scratch-off lottery tickets went on sale today in Mississippi. With more than 1,200 approved retailers on board, the system activated at 5 a.m. (CST).
“I am extremely proud of MLC President Tom Shaheen and his staff at the lottery,” said Dr. Mike McGrevey, chairman of the MLC Board. “In a short period of time, he and his team have created something truly amazing. I have watched them meticulously work through hundreds of action items.
“They created the organization from the ground up in less than six months,” he continued. “This is not only a monumental day for the MLC, but it is also an incredible day for Mississippi. Legislative members determined net proceeds from the lottery will go toward infrastructure and education needs, which are both extremely important to Mississippians.”
Retailers selling today will be able to say they were among the first to be a part of this historical moment in Mississippi. Retailers range from traditional convenience stores, convenience stores with gas, grocery stores, tobacco stores, casinos and even barber shops. Approved retailers have successfully submitted applications, cleared background and credit checks, attended retailer training and received lottery equipment. From start to finish, the approval process on average takes approximately 30 days.
“Today would not have been possible without our retailers,” said MLC President Tom Shaheen. “Some are so excited they are hostingtheir own giveaways and promotions. In the coming weeks, the retailer base will continue to grow as we continue to process applications, as well as receive new applications.”
Shaheen went on say that none of this could have happened without the support of the MLC Board of Directors, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Department of Revenue, the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration, our vendor partners and other state lotteries.
