Alabama residents cross state lines to play lottery

Alabama is one of five US states that does not have a legal lottery of its own, causing residents to flock over the state’s borders to buy tickets.

US.- Thousands of Alabama residents are crossing the state’s borders to buy lottery tickets due to high jackpots on multi-state games such as Mega Millions and Powerball.

Alabama is one of five US states that does not yet have a legal lottery of its own, causing locals to cross its borders to buy tickets.

Lottery vendors in Georgia, Florida and Tennessee close to the borders with Alabama reported huge lines of customers outside their properties.

John Weeks and JoAnn Howard from Oxford, Alabama, spoke to local media outlet CBS 42 as they waited in line at an out-of-state shop to buy tickets.

“It’s fun. We come over and we listen to music. We sing a lot. You know. We come over here. Have lunch. And we like to enjoy the beautiful day,” Weeks said.

Others felt frustrated that they are still unable to buy tickets at convenience stores in Alabama.

Don Broadenas from Birmingham, Alabama said: “[It’s] very frustrating. I could have stayed at home and been done in 10 minutes.”

A lottery bill was put forward in the state last March but did not advance. However, a legal lottery in the state is still on the agenda for some lawmakers.

Legislators recently reviewed an 876-page report on gambling expansion compiled by the state Study Group on Gambling Policy.