Lottery sales began Monday throughout Mississippi, and several lottery dealers in Columbia said it was a busy first day.
Hattie Youngblood, manager of the Shell Station on U.S. 98, said sales had been going since 5 a.m.
“It is going good, lots of sales,” she said.
At the counter Justin Nelson was busy scratching off tickets. The money he was winning he put back into buying more tickets.
Twanda Lampton, assistant manager at B-Kwik, said it had been going great, better than expected.
At the other end of U.S. 98, Crystal Smith at Keith’s Superstore said it was busy but not as busy as she had expected.
The Legislature approved the lottery in an August 2018 special session, and the state has been setting up the process since then. The first year the lottery is expected to net $40 million and that is predicted to double to $80 million the following year. Proceeds will go toward roads and bridges for 10 years and then go back into the state’s general fund.
Come Jan. 30, Mississippi residents will be able to purchase tickets for the Mega Millions and Powerball lotteries as well.
