Mississippians will scratch their first tickets from the Mississippi Lottery next Monday, about a month ahead of schedule, according to Cassie Pennington, an Indianola native who was appointed to the five-person lottery board a little over a year ago.
Pennington spoke this week to the Indianola Rotary Club, addressing a number of points about the lottery, including how the money will be split up.
Retailers who have applied and been approved to sell the tickets had to undergo a rigorous background check, he said. They will be provided with equipment and training by the state.
Each retailer has a separate bank account setup, and the state will withdraw revenue from ticket sales from that account.
“About 1,200 retailers are approved,” Pennington said.
Pennington said the first ticket will be sold and scratched in Jackson on Tuesday in the district where Alice Clark, who introduced the lottery bill, resides.
Pennington said 6% of the ticket sales will go to the retailers. He said the first 80% after that will go toward infrastructure for the next decade, and after 10 years, all of the revenue will go into the state’s general fund.
Pennington said that those who owe child support or back taxes and win over $600 will have the winnings garnished to pay for the money owed.
Winners will have 90 days to claim money from instant games, which will be collected at the store where the ticket was purchased.
Mega millions multi-draw winners will have 180 days to collect.
Pennington said the lottery is expected to raise $100 million annually for the state.
