Lottery May Get Fresh Look

By: The Associated Press

Updated: Mon 10:47 AM, Oct 15, 2012

The chairman of the House Gaming Committee says he will hold an initial fact-finding committee hearing within the next three or four weeks to look at proposals for a state lottery in Mississippi.

Rep. Richard Bennett says that many people have asked about a lottery and some legislators put in bills for it every year.

Forty-three states have lotteries. All of the states bordering Mississippi have one except for Alabama.

Supporters say a lottery would help shore the state budget and could be earmarked for education and keep Mississippians from spending lottery dollars in neighboring states.

Bennett says he has the Mississippi Gaming Commission and a casinos' association gathering information for lawmakers.

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