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Lottery bill is likely dead in Alabama legislatureNews Story
It appears the latest attempt to create an Alabama state lottery will die, killed this time not by special interests but, instead, coronavirus. The Alabama legislature still has about half of its 30 allotment of meeting days remaining, but also faces a mid-May deadline to end the session that began in early February. All meeting days must take place within a 105 day span. COVID-19, and the restrictions it has caused, will probably kill most most of them. It's not only Representative Ste
Mar 25, 2020, 8:10 am - Lottery News

Alabama lottery bill filed in House with 70 co-sponsorsNews Story
Alabama Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, filed an education lottery bill Tuesday with 70 co-sponsors that if passed would go to the ballot as a constitutional amendment for people to vote on. It would approve a paper-based lottery generating about $167 million each year according to Clouse. 50 percent of the proceeds would go toward the First Class Pre-K program and the other half for scholarships. Video lottery terminals would not be allowed. It's just time that we put this on the ballot agai
Mar 12, 2020, 10:48 am - Lottery News

Alabama governor reestablishes study group for lotteryNews Story
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey reopened the Governor's Study Group on Gambling Policy by signing Executive Order 719. I am committed to, once and for all, getting the facts so that the people of Alabama can make an informed decision on what has been a hotly debated topic for many years, Ivey said in a press release. Without a doubt, there will be ramifications if we eventually expand gaming options in our state just as there are costs associated with doing nothing. The purpose of the study group i
Mar 5, 2020, 12:13 pm - Lottery News

Lottery exceeding expectations in MississippiNews Story
Through a little more than two months of operation, Mississippi's lottery has generated about $16 million in revenue for work on the state's roads and bridges. Thomas Shaheen, president of the Mississippi Lottery Corporation, speaking at a legislative hearing, recently estimated that during its first full fiscal year the lottery would generate $81 million in revenue for the state. We are very pleased with these early results, Shaheen said recently. Retailer and player support have been fa
Feb 17, 2020, 9:27 am - Lottery News

Two Alaska state lottery plans are about to be debated; here's how they'd workNews Story
Alaska is one of five U.S. states without a lottery. This year, Gov. Mike Dunleavy and House Majority Leader Steve Thompson, a Republican from Fairbanks, have each offered plans to change that. With Alaska state government projecting a $1.5 billion budget deficit, both men have said a lottery could be one step toward a broader fix. But both have proposed very different approaches. Thompson is suggesting a draw-style lottery that would raise between $8 million and $10 million a year for the
Feb 17, 2020, 8:50 am - Lottery News

Alaska governor proposes lottery amid budget woesNews Story
Alaska, long-reliant on oil and in search of options amid a persistent budget deficit, may turn to the lottery for help. Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy introduced legislation Wednesday proposing a lottery. His administration said it could serve as part of his goal of providing greater fiscal stability. It comes on the heels of deep budget cuts Dunleavy proposed last year that were met with public outcry. That anger helped fuel a recall effort against him now tied up in the courts. His budge
Feb 14, 2020, 12:34 pm - Lottery News

Lottery legislation: Inside Alabama's lottery debateNews Story
A drive across the Mississippi state line is becoming a common trip for Alabamians who want to play the state's new lottery. At least twice a week, Aretha told us as she bought a ticket. At least once a week, Joseph said from the convenient store right across the state line. I would rather spend it where we live so we can pay for everything over there, said Brenda Gerganus as she bought a handful of tickets . Gurganus said she'd rather her lottery money go to Alabama's schools.
Feb 3, 2020, 10:21 am - Lottery News

Alabama reporter documents experience buying Mississippi lottery ticketsNews Story
It was a historic day in Mississippi Thursday. It became the 45th state to start selling lottery tickets. But in true Mississippi style, things didn't quite go to plan. Some people might say it was a little cattywampus. I was expecting palpable excitement and restless hope, as people lined up outside of gas station doors in the hope of winning the jackpot of $40 million and finally fulfilling their lifelong dream of moving to Alabama. But I didn't see any of that. What's going on? I wonder
Feb 2, 2020, 9:03 am - Lottery News

Alabama lawmaker tries again with new lottery proposalNews Story
Includes video report An Alabama lawmaker says he plans to propose an amendment to the state's constitution to put an education lottery on the ballot for citizens to vote on in November. The proposal by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Dothan, gives half of the proceeds to Alabama's First Class Pre-K program. The other half would fund some college need-based scholarships. Clouse said Alabama could model it off of Tennessee's scholarship program. I think the general sentiment in the House, and I th
Jan 28, 2020, 8:13 am - Lottery News

Nearly $9 million of Mississippi Lottery tickets sold in first 6 daysNews Story
The Mississippi Lottery sold nearly $9 million in tickets during its first six days of operation. About $3.8 million of the money was awarded in prizes, and nearly $2 million of it will go into the state budget to help pay for roads and bridges. The Mississippi Lottery Corporation started selling tickets Nov. 25, and it announced the initial sales figures in a news release Wednesday. The corporation says the largest prize awarded has been $15,000. It says most people who are collecting
Dec 5, 2019, 10:29 am - Lottery News