Mississippi votes to create a state lottery

Lawmakers finally approved a bill to create a state lottery in the state after a historic vote in the Legislature.

US.- The Mississippi House of Representatives finally passed a bill on Tuesday that will create a state lottery. After facing major opposition – mainly from churches – the bill made it through the Legislature and was sent to Governor Phil Bryant to be signed into Law.

Mississippi was one of six states that didn’t have its own lottery until now, but it’s now expected to begin operating the game of chance. The government forecasts the business to generate tens of millions of dollars annually that would help fund highways and bridges maintenance and restoration.

“This is a historic day in Mississippi,” Gov. Phil Bryant said on Twitter and added: “Mississippi lawmakers rose to the occasion.” The House seemed to be against the bill after 60 opposed the original text and only 54 favoured it. However, the Senate passed the updated proposal and Representatives finally approved the measure in a 58-54 vote during a special session.

Several lawmakers like Republican Rep. Bill Denny or Democratic Rep. Greg Holloway praised the bill’s approval and said that people in the state were craving to get a lottery and urge them to approve the segment. “My people have contacted me,” Holloway said. “They want the lottery and I want them to have what they want.”