Those scratch cards and jackpot drawing tickets are making a big impact on the Coast and across the state as the Mississippi Lottery celebrates its fifth anniversary.
Each month, proceeds from the state and national lottery games are transferred to the general fund from Mississippi Lottery Corp.
In October, that was $8.95 million, which was directed to repair roads and bridges in the state.
Starting with the new fiscal year on July 1 each year, the first $80 million in proceeds goes toward roads. Once that is reached, the money flows into the Education Enhancement Fund that pays for for classroom supplies, materials and equipment at schools across the state.
Over the five years, the lottery transferred $615 million to the state, or an average of more than $100 million a year.
Of that:
- $427 million was allocated to roads and bridges
- $188 million went to the education fund
Mississippi Lottery is celebrating the fifth anniversary with new games. The $20 My Lottery Dream Home scratch-off ticket, includes a $1 million second chance drawing. New scratch-off games area $5 ticket, 5 Times the Joy ticket with a top prize of $100,000 and a $2 High Roller ticket with a top prize of $20,000.