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Mississippi lawmakers take first steps to create state lotteryNews Story
It's time to give the people what they want and they want a lottery, one Mississippi lawmaker said Tuesday on the House floor. And the House signaled it is ready to give the people what they want by passing amendments on two separate bills Tuesday to have the Gaming Commission establish a lottery in the state. State Rep. Tommy Reynolds, D-Charleston, who proposed one of the successful amendments, said he would participate in a lottery said he can't see what's wrong with the state having a
Mar 30, 2016, 8:45 am - Lottery News

Powerball renews interest in Mississippi state lotteryNews Story
By all accounts, Mississippians by droves participated in the $1.6 billion Powerball lottery that was awarded this past week, but the state of Mississippi did not participate. Mississippi is one of six states that does not conduct a lottery. The others are Alabama, Nevada, Utah, Hawaii and Alaska. But, according to many people, the fact the state does not have a lottery does not mean Mississippians were not vying for the record jackpot. Supporters of the lottery say the state of Mississ
Jan 18, 2016, 9:33 am - Lottery News

Private management could be Alabama lottery optionNews Story
If Alabama gets a lottery, private management may at least be an option. But the Republican leader of the Senate said Wednesday he did not want to commit to any particular proposal, being wary of some of the negative experiences of other states with private managers. Having no experience in the lottery field, we're just going to have to look at what other states have done and what's worked best for them, he said. Marsh is sponsoring legislation that would establish a lottery and gambli
May 22, 2015, 7:17 pm - Lottery News

Alabama lottery proposal set for Senate debate TuesdayNews Story
If Alabama approves a state-sponsored lottery, it will be heading down a well-worn path one trod by 44 states so far. But one element of the lottery proposal by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, remains unusual: the Legislature would be able to spend the cash at its own discretion, rather than marking the money for a specific purpose, such as college scholarships. It is uncommon for states not to earmark the money, Thomas Garrett, a University of Mississippi economist who studies state lotterie
May 10, 2015, 11:36 am - Lottery News

GOP proposal would open door to lottery, casinos in AlabamaNews Story
A constitutional amendment that would legalize gambling in Alabama authorizes a lottery, casino gambling and expanded Indian gaming. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, a Republican from Birmingham, Ala., gave other state senators an initial draft of the legislation Thursday. It calls for a Sept. 15 election so voters can decide the amendment's fate in wake of a projected $250 million shortfall in state's revenues this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. I could come in on Tuesday and my co
May 5, 2015, 8:22 am - Lottery News

A state lottery could help Alabama get its financial house in orderNews Story
Fifty years ago, lotteries were illegal in every state, but they have proven so lucrative and politically irresistible that 44 states have since started selling tickets to the lottery. In 2013, state-run lotteries brought in $62 billion, which amounts to $257 in sales to every adult in the nation. Six stubborn holdouts remain. Alaska and Hawaii are isolated enough that they do not feel pressured by sales from their neighbors. Nevada and Mississippi have gambling lobbies that don't want a stat
Apr 20, 2015, 9:15 pm - Lottery News

Jamaican lottery scam investigation leads to MississippiNews Story
A Jamaican national was arrested in Gulfport, Mississippi, Monday for his role in an alleged Jamaican lottery scam. Damion Aljunior Hill, 33, is in America on a work visa, but now faces two counts of wire fraud. Investigators with the Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection Division said the two alleged victims were told that they had won the lottery, but were required to pay taxes before the award could be made. Monies were then wired to Jamaica. The victims said they received numer
Jun 17, 2013, 9:01 pm - Lottery News

Man wins $7.2 million playing slots in friend's memory after funeralNews Story
A Michigan man went to Mississippi for a friend's funeral last week, and came back a multimillionaire. Tyler Morris, 73, drove with his wife to attend the funeral of his longtime friend Max Anderson, 86, on Feb. 15, and stopped by one of Anderson's favorite hangouts afterward: The Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi, Miss. He decided to play penny slots in honor of Anderson, who had often gone with Morris to the casino over the years, and always played the slots. Morris put his money on The Lor
Feb 21, 2013, 10:33 am - Lottery News

Wyoming lottery bill advances to Senate floorNews Story
Updated, 8:05 pm A Senate committee has endorsed a bill that would bring the lottery to Wyoming. The Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee voted 3-2 Tuesday in support of House Bill 77. The bill, which has already passed the House, goes to the Senate floor for debate. No one is quite sure about its odds of passing. The proposal allows the state to offer a state lottery or join a multi-state lottery, such as the Powerball. Proceeds would go to local cities,
Feb 12, 2013, 7:42 pm - Lottery News

Possibility of Mississippi lottery worries Arkansas lottery officialsNews Story
Arkansas lottery officials are keeping a nervous eye on Mississippi as that state's legislators prepare to consider creating a state lottery. Officials say they don't want to lose the revenue the lottery now receives from Mississippi residents who cross the state line to play Arkansas' lottery, especially at a time when lottery revenues are already in decline. Of the six states surrounding Arkansas, only Mississippi does not have a lottery. In 1992, a proposal to remove a lottery ban from
Dec 8, 2012, 9:52 pm - Lottery News