The Jones County Republican Women learned more about the Mississippi Lottery Corporation at their January monthly meeting on Wednesday, January 8 from MLC Board member Gerard Gibert. December was the first month for the lottery in Mississippi, and, according to Gibert, it brought in more than $45 million in gross scratch-off tickets sales. The multi-state games, Power Ball and Mega Millions, are scheduled to launch on January 30, and a launch event will take place in Pass Christian on the Gulf Coast.
House Representative Alyce Clark introduced legislation to bring the lottery to Mississippi. Her dream became a reality on August 31, 2018, during a special session called by Governor Phil Bryant. After the passing of the Alice G. Clark Law, the MLC was formed.
The MLC launched on December 1 with a launch event that took place in Representative Clark’s home district in south Jackson. Clark was escorted into the facility by MLC President Tom Shaheen, where she bought the first ticket. Also participating in the event were The Sweet Potato Queens, Southern Comfort Jazz Band, and Elvis.
Gibert said that the [LC1] proceeds from the Mississippi Lottery go toward infrastructure and the education systems in Mississippi. Under the Alice G. Clark Law, the first $80 million in net annual proceeds goes to the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges and is paid to the State Highway Fund until June 30, 2028. All net proceeds collected over the $80 million is transferred into the Education Enhancement Fund.
After July 1, 2028, the first $80 million will go into the State General Fund, and the net annual proceeds over $80 million will continue to go to the Education Enhancement Fund.
“The law is very explicit about how the money in the Education Enhancement Fund is distributed,” said Gibert. “In general it goes toward school supplies, athletic facilities, capital expenditures, facilities, early learning collaboratives, pre-k programs, etc.”
Gibert stated that the MLC acts more like a private-sector corporation than a public-sector corporation regulated by the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
“The Mississippi Lottery Corporation, acting more like a private-sector entity, receives no taxpayer funding,” stated Gibert. “The board is not compensated.”
Gibert said that if the corporation received any taxpayer funding or if the board members received compensation, he would never have agreed to be on the board and serve as the vice chairman for the first year.
“It’s hard to believe that at this time last year all we had was a five-member board of directors, and today we have 1324 retailers selling tickets every day,” exclaimed Gibert.
In providing more details about the MLC, Gibert stated, “We are potentially the only entity in the entire state of Mississippi that undergoes an audit by both the state auditor and a private-sector auditor.”
Gibert said if the first month sales continue throughout the year on the same level, then the first year net proceeds could result in approximately $125 - $130 million with the first $80 million going to the State Highway Fund and roughly $40 - $50 million going to the Education Enhancement Fund.
“The system is in good shape, the staff is fantastic, the board is top-notch, and I look for nothing but great things to come soon,” stated Gibert in closing.