State lottery ticket sales surpass $2.5M in first 24 hours; man wins $2,000
Scratch-off lottery tickets went on sale Monday. Powerball and Mega Million lottery tickets go on sale in January.
State lottery ticket sales surpass $2.5M in first 24 hours; man wins $2,000 Scratch-off lottery tickets went on sale Monday. Powerball and Mega Million lottery tickets go on sale in January. Check out this story on clarionledger.com: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2019/11/26/mississippi-lottery-ticket-sales-first-day/4306353002/
Jimmie E. Gates, Mississippi Clarion Ledger Published 10:25 a.m. CT Nov. 26, 2019 | Updated 2:56 p.m. CT Nov. 26, 2019
Mississippi's lottery is off to a rousing start with more than $2.5 million in scratch-off lottery ticket sales reported the first 24 hours.
"We believe Mississippi has more than exceeded expectations," Mississippi Lottery Corp. President Tom Shaheen said in a news release Tuesday. "We knew Mississippians were ready to play the lottery. We did not foresee the level of their excitement! Next, onto Powerball and Mega Millions!"
Powerball and Mega Millions tickets go on sale in January.
Wiggins man biggest winner on first day of lottery
David Bond, 65, of Wiggins was the biggest winner on the first day of the lottery. He won $2,000 from a Triple 7s scratch-off lottery ticket.
"I wasn't going to go hunting at first, "Bond said in a Mississippi Lottery Corp. statement. "I went to town for supplies at the Jr Food Mart in Wiggins and bought five tickets, all Triple 7s. Then, I went hunting."
Bond said it wasn't until he arrived home after hunting that he began to scratch his $2 tickets.
"I knew I won," said Bond. "I went back to the store and let the clerk run it through the machine. The first thing she told me was that I needed to sign the back of this ticket and go to Jackson.
"I called my wife and told her I won $2,000," he said. "She got so excited. I cannot believe this happened. It's not the biggest win to hit; but, I think it's cool to be the first one."
Bond didn't have any luck hunting, but he was happy with his winning Triple 7 ticket.
Nearly 1,200 retailers selling lottery tickets in Mississippi
Some 1,200 approved retailers, located in 80 of 82 counties, were allowed to begin begin selling scratch-off tickets at 5 a.m. Monday.
The $2.5 million in ticket sales netted the state $570,000, the MLC said.
Gov. Phil Bryant said in a tweet late Monday the lottery took in more than $500,000 in funds to be used for repairs to state bridges and roads.
"Please remember to play responsibly," Bryant said in the tweet.
The lottery began early Monday. There was a ceremony in Jackson at Raceway gas station on Mississippi 18 West. The lottery legislation was named in honor of state Rep. Alyce Clarke of Jackson, who ceremonially kicked off the start of Mississippi's lottery with lawmakers and state lottery officials.
Lottery ticket sales strong, retailers say
John McCord, 30, manager at Sprint Mart #118 on High Street in Jackson, said Tuesday, "We've had an influx of customers and a lot of excitement. I think it is going to be good for the state. Tickets are selling fast."
"People are really just trying to see if they can win," McCord said. "That's their goal. People want that $100,000 and a top prize. That's what they are really excited about."
Robert Jones, who works at at Sarb Food Mart on N. West Street in Jackson, said Tuesday of people buying lottery tickets: "We been busy as hell around here… It's good that we have them here."
Ricky Singh, owner of the Raceway gas station, said of the lottery: "I'm very excited. This is the best thing that could have happened to Mississippi."
Singh said Mississippi having its own lottery will prevent residents from having to travel to Louisiana or other states to purchase lottery tickets.
For the next decade, up to $80 million a year from lottery proceeds will help fund state roads and bridges or to match federal infrastructure money. Any revenue above $80 million would go to public education, the Education Enhancement Fund.
After decades of debate, lawmakers in a summer special session last year approved a state lottery. It's expected to net the state about $40 million the first year, then $80 million to $100 million a year thereafter.
Retailers keep 6% of lottery ticket sales.
How to claim a lottery prize
All instant game prizes must be claimed within 90 calendar days of the announced end of the game. Only original tickets will be accepted to claim any prize.
Prizes under $600 may be claimed at any Mississippi Lottery Corporation retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999 must be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail.
A Mississippi Lottery winner claim form, proper identification and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more.
A winner can submit required documentation via mail to the Mississippi Lottery Corporation, P.O. Box 321462, Flowood, MS, 39232. However, The Mississippi Lottery is not responsible for lost or misdirected mail.
Prizes of $100,000 or more must be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters located at 1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100, Flowood, MS, 39232.
For more information call 1-855-946-4667 or go to www.mslotteryhome.com.
Wilton Jackson contributed to this story.
Contact Jimmie E. Gates at 601-961-7212 or jgates@gannett.com. Follow @jgatesnews on Twitter.
Where to buy Mississippi lottery tickets: Find a store near you
Mississippi lottery: What you need to know about Powerball and Mega Millions
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