SOUTHAVEN, Miss. (localmemphis.com) — People hoping to win big in Mississippi will have another option that doesn’t require crossing state lines. Thursday, the Powerball and Mega Millions will go live in the Magnolia state for the first time.
In November, the Mississippi Lottery rolled out scratch offtickets. In its first day, more than $2.5 million was spent.
Since then, the Mississippi Lottery reports more than $80 millionhas been spent as of January 22nd. So far, $7.6 million has been given to thestate to start going towards improvements of Mississippi roads.
Retailers are now bracing for another busy round of hopeful lotterywinners.
“Customers are really excited. Everyone is asking when thePowerball will start, when will Powerball start?” Zeenat Hussaini said.
Hussaini is the manager of the locally-owned Heaven Express GasStation in Southaven. She said selling lottery tickets has been good for business.They’ve seen more old and new faces, she said.
“Tennessee people also come to play here. They come to thedoctor’s office and they stop by. They’re looking at Tennessee Lottery, butit’s totally different lottery here in Mississippi, so they come and we getgood business from that too,” Hussaini said.
Come Thursday morning, she said they’re expecting a big crowd andearly rush.
The first Mississippi Powerball draw will be held on February 1st.
The Mississippi Lottery hasn’t identified yet what time ticketsales will go live Thursday morning.