No dice for state lottery proposal in Mississippi, senator says

Plans to create a state lottery in Mississippi will likely end up dead on arrival in the state Senate.

On Tuesday, the Mississippi House voted 83-37 in favor of including lottery in the Senate Bill 2541, which was originally aimed at setting rules for online fantasy sports contests.

Rep. Tommy Reynolds, D-Charleston, was responsible for adding lottery in the proposed legislation. in the amendment, Reynolds proposed to authorize the Mississippi Gaming Commission “to establish a lottery in Mississippi,” with half of the proceeds going to public education needs of the state and the other half for county and city road improvements.

Reynolds was quoted by the Sun Herald admitting that he’s not a fan of gambling, but if it’s going to happen anyway, then all of the proceeds should go to the state’s coffers.