Arkansas sells first lottery tickets
September 30, 2009
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Becomes 43rd lottery in the U.S. with Monday launch
Arkansas has become the 42nd U.S. state to operate a government lottery, and the 43rd jurisdiction in the country to do so, counting the District of Columbia.
Tickets for four Arkansas Lottery scratch-off games went on sale this week at nearly 1,500 retailers, with the proceeds earmarked for college scholarships for state residents. An estimated $600,000 dollars worth of tickets were sold the first day and more than $450,000 in prizes paid out.
More games will be added in the coming months, officials said.
It is projected that $400 million worth of tickets will be sold the first year, and plans are to add pick-style games to the mix. Later this month, Powerball will be available, giving Arkansans a chance at the massive jackpots which previously could only be had by traveling to Texas and other neighboring states. By December, other draw games are expected to be in place.
Arkansas has become the 42nd U.S. state to operate a government lottery, and the 43rd jurisdiction in the country to do so, counting the District of Columbia.
Tickets for four Arkansas Lottery scratch-off games went on sale this week at nearly 1,500 retailers, with the proceeds earmarked for college scholarships for state residents. An estimated $600,000 dollars worth of tickets were sold the first day and more than $450,000 in prizes paid out.
More games will be added in the coming months, officials said.
It is projected that $400 million worth of tickets will be sold the first year, and plans are to add pick-style games to the mix. Later this month, Powerball will be available, giving Arkansans a chance at the massive jackpots which previously could only be had by traveling to Texas and other neighboring states. By December, other draw games are expected to be in place.
